Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today performed his first official action, immediately after he and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher took the oath of office, by signing an Executive Order to establish new ethics requirements for himself, his staff, cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions.
The Executive Order will require that Strickland and his staff decline virtually all gifts, excepting token gifts. The Order also requires every state department and agency to appoint a chief ethics officer to insure that staff is educated about ethics requirements, and calls for an anonymous reporting system for possible ethics violations.
The Executive Order requires a process to be established for companies wanting to do business with the state to certify in writing that they understand and will abide by this order and Ohio ethics and conflict of interest laws. Finally, the order requires government agencies or departments to put in writing and make available to the public reasons for awarding no-bid contracts.
"Recent scandals in Columbus have created the perception that decisions are made to reward political friends instead of making decisions that are best for Ohio," Strickland said. "The people of Ohio need to have faith in their government, and this first Executive Order is the first step in strengthening their faith."
Under the order, the only gifts Strickland and staff will be permitted to accept will be from: close family members, personal friends who are not lobbyists, who have no contracts with the State, and who do not receive grants from the State; individuals or groups who present him or staff with an inexpensive, token gift such as a t-shirt, cap, mug, meal under $20 or lapel pin; and government officials from another state or country who offer gifts as a gesture of friendship to the people of Ohio.
The same requirements apply to directors and employees of cabinet agencies, and those employed or appointed on state boards and commissions. All accepted gifts will be in accordance with Ohio law, and will be fully disclosed.
In order for all state employees and vendors to know and understand the new ethics requirements, agency directors will designate a senior staff member to serve as a chief ethics officer who will work with the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Governor's Office to develop an Ethic's Education program within the next 60 days. An anonymous reporting system will be put in place to facilitate state employees and chief ethics officers reporting ethics violations.
"This order sends a clear message to all Ohioans that their government will answer to them, not special interests." Strickland said. "Let everyone know: it is no longer business as usual in Columbus, and we are all working together to make Ohio better."
The executive order also encourages all cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions to make public meetings more accessible, including presenting meetings live or recorded on the Internet.
"Ohioans deserve an open, honest and accessible government," Strickland said. "This executive order marks the beginning of an administration that is committed to giving Ohioans that government."