This week a federal judge struck down Ohio’s “revolving door” statute.  The statute prohibited legislators and their staff from lobbying the legislature for one year following their departure.   

The law was challenged by Tom Brinkman, a former state representative from the Cincinnati area.  Mr. Brinkman was forced out of the legislature in December 2008 because of term limits.  He wanted to lobby as a volunteer for several organizations, but was prohibited by the “revolving door” statute.

In striking down the law, U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott said the law was unconstitutional because it was overly-inclusive, under-inclusive, and overly-broad.  She said the statute was overly-inclusive because it prohibited both paid and unpaid volunteer lobbying.  The statute was found to be under-inclusive because it didn’t prohibit other types of activity during the “revolving door” period that could lead to corruption like accepting gifts or other employment opportunities.  Finally, Judge Dlott said the law was overly-broad because it prohibited lobbying on all issues regardless of whether they were issues the legislator or employee worked on while in the General Assembly.

It is not yet known whether the decision will be appealed.

Linda Woggon - Vice President, Governmental Affairs
Dan Navin - Assistant Vice President, Tax and Economic Policy
Carrie Haughawout - Director, Ohio Small Business Council
Jenn Klein - Director, Energy and Environmental Policy

Tony Seegers - Director, Labor & Human Resources Policy
Chris Brock - Manager, Grassroots Advocacy

Merle Madrid - Manager, Political and Candidate Education
Sherry Heffner - Governmental Affairs Assistant
Tami Ball - Administrative Assistant