Ohio lawmaker introduces bill to require drug testing for certain public officials
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www.progressohio.org and
The Highland County Press
State Representative Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) has introduced legislation to improve accountability in state public officials.
House Bill 343 requires drug and alcohol testing for statewide elected officials, legislators, JobsOhio board members and recipients of federal corporate bailout money (Troubled Asset Relief Program).
It also provides a process for recalling statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly.
The drug testing proposal comes in response to plans announced by Republican State Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) to require, "drug screenings of potential and existing beneficiaries of TANF (welfare recipients)."
"Republicans in the Statehouse want a state agency to test welfare recipients for drugs and alcohol citing 'legislators' responsibility to ensure Ohioans tax dollars are properly cared for,' but they conveniently gloss over the glaring hypocrisy of avoiding any such testing of their own, while clearly insulting the dignity of Ohioans who have fallen upon rough times and need assistance to make ends meet," said Rep. Hagan.
"It is Republican proposals like this that smack of a clear misunderstanding of the daily struggle of many Ohioans in this terrible economic climate. I wish they would just stick to their failed promises from last fall of putting Ohioans back to work instead of attacking those who need help."
HB343 would require drug testing of state legislators, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, and JobsOhio board members. The officials would pay for the testing, and penalties would be imposed for those found to possess un-prescribed pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and/or alcohol in their body at the time of testing.
Consequences for positive screenings include outright removal from public office – in the case of JobsOhio board members, and required treatment, possible impeachment, and the ability to recall all other elected officials who test positive.
The bill will also allow voters to recall statewide office holders and members of the Ohio General Assembly when voters think the elected official is not properly representing them or is acting in a way that is harmful to the state of Ohio.
The recall process will be similar to the provisions in Ohio law which allow for the recall of municipal officers. The bill requires a recall petition signed by the number of registered voters equal to 15% of the total vote for governor in the state or in a particular legislative district during the last general election.
A special recall election date would be set within 30 to 40 days by the Secretary of State after the petition is certified. If the recall petition is turned in 150 days or less prior to a regularly scheduled election, the recall question would be on the ballot that day.
Hillsboro Independent candidate for mayor John Levo announced in his prepared opening comments at the Oct. 10 AAUW Candidates and Issues Forum: "I am willing to take a drug test any time."
Levo explained his statement to The Highland County Press, saying that private-sector administrators can expect to be drug-tested, and as a servant of the people, he would expect the same standard.
The Hagan family has a long tradition of serving the people of the state. When Rep. Hagan was first elected in 1986, he and his father, Robert E. Hagan, became the only father/son combination to ever serve together in the Ohio General Assembly. They simultaneously held office as state representatives from 1986-90.
Hagan is Chairman of the Ohio House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He is a member of the Alternative Energy Committee, the Commerce and Law Committee, the Environment and Brownfield Development Committee and the Health Committee.
Hagan, who has 13 brothers and sisters, is married to his wife, Michele. They have five children.[[In-content Ad]]
The Highland County Press
State Representative Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) has introduced legislation to improve accountability in state public officials.
House Bill 343 requires drug and alcohol testing for statewide elected officials, legislators, JobsOhio board members and recipients of federal corporate bailout money (Troubled Asset Relief Program).
It also provides a process for recalling statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly.
The drug testing proposal comes in response to plans announced by Republican State Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) to require, "drug screenings of potential and existing beneficiaries of TANF (welfare recipients)."
"Republicans in the Statehouse want a state agency to test welfare recipients for drugs and alcohol citing 'legislators' responsibility to ensure Ohioans tax dollars are properly cared for,' but they conveniently gloss over the glaring hypocrisy of avoiding any such testing of their own, while clearly insulting the dignity of Ohioans who have fallen upon rough times and need assistance to make ends meet," said Rep. Hagan.
"It is Republican proposals like this that smack of a clear misunderstanding of the daily struggle of many Ohioans in this terrible economic climate. I wish they would just stick to their failed promises from last fall of putting Ohioans back to work instead of attacking those who need help."
HB343 would require drug testing of state legislators, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, and JobsOhio board members. The officials would pay for the testing, and penalties would be imposed for those found to possess un-prescribed pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and/or alcohol in their body at the time of testing.
Consequences for positive screenings include outright removal from public office – in the case of JobsOhio board members, and required treatment, possible impeachment, and the ability to recall all other elected officials who test positive.
The bill will also allow voters to recall statewide office holders and members of the Ohio General Assembly when voters think the elected official is not properly representing them or is acting in a way that is harmful to the state of Ohio.
The recall process will be similar to the provisions in Ohio law which allow for the recall of municipal officers. The bill requires a recall petition signed by the number of registered voters equal to 15% of the total vote for governor in the state or in a particular legislative district during the last general election.
A special recall election date would be set within 30 to 40 days by the Secretary of State after the petition is certified. If the recall petition is turned in 150 days or less prior to a regularly scheduled election, the recall question would be on the ballot that day.
Hillsboro Independent candidate for mayor John Levo announced in his prepared opening comments at the Oct. 10 AAUW Candidates and Issues Forum: "I am willing to take a drug test any time."
Levo explained his statement to The Highland County Press, saying that private-sector administrators can expect to be drug-tested, and as a servant of the people, he would expect the same standard.
The Hagan family has a long tradition of serving the people of the state. When Rep. Hagan was first elected in 1986, he and his father, Robert E. Hagan, became the only father/son combination to ever serve together in the Ohio General Assembly. They simultaneously held office as state representatives from 1986-90.
Hagan is Chairman of the Ohio House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He is a member of the Alternative Energy Committee, the Commerce and Law Committee, the Environment and Brownfield Development Committee and the Health Committee.
Hagan, who has 13 brothers and sisters, is married to his wife, Michele. They have five children.[[In-content Ad]]