Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Cuyahoga County May Build New Detention Center

The Plain Dealer has reported that the State of Ohio has offered Cuyahoga County $10.6 million dollars to build a new detention center for non-violent felons. The catch-22 is that in order to receive the funds, the County will have to approve plans for a new facility by January of 2008. According to the PD, this is something the County has been unable to accomplish in the last decade, despite having been offered the money 'carrot' before. If approved, the new facility would open in 2010 and house up to 200 prisoners. County Administrator Dennis Madden has indicated that County officials and judges are so hopeful that they are already scoping out land at the intersection of East 34th and Croton Avenue. Although the facility would foucs on treatment for different types of substance abuse, inmates could still work and see their families. According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Cuyahoga County is the only major metro area without a community correctional facility, even though 20% of the state's inmates come from Cuyahoga County.

New Cable TV Law for Ohio

The Governor has signed SB117, that will formally change the way cable TV companies contract within the state. Specifically, it is designed to create a franchising system for "video service" providers under the Ohio Director of Commerce (DOC). Designed to achieve uniformity state-wide, the bill rests all authority to grant Video Service Authorizations to the DOC.  Click here for a bill summary and analysis. Click here for the text of the bill, as formally enrolled as an Act, as well as links to all documents related to the bill from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Validity of Campaign Donation Law Questioned

The validity of HB 694, enacted in the prior 126th General Assembly, has been called into question.  The act limits campaign donations made government contractors to officials who approve government contracts.  The limit also applies to labor unions who represent government workers.  The limit applying to labor unions was added as an amendment.  See our prior post New Law Limits Government Contractor's Campaign Contributions. 

The bill signed by Governor Taft did not include this amendment.  House Republicans retrieved the bill that Taft submitted to the Secretary of State and returned the bill which included the amendments.  The republicans say this is common practice when a clerical error such as this occurs. 

A spokesman for Governor Strickland said that the situation involving HB 694 will help in defending the lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Brunner.  This suit alleges that Brunner overstepped her bounds in allowing Strickland to retrieve  Am. Sub. SB 117 that Taft filed with the Secretary of State.  Taft neither signed nor vetoed SB 117.  Upon retrieval, Strickland vetoed the legislation.  See our prior posts:  Republican Legislators Sue to Overturn Strickland Veto; Secretary of State Moves to Dismiss Strickland Veto Lawsuit.

New Law Limits Government Contractor's Campaign Contributions

Governor Taft signed HB 694, which limits campaign donations made by state and local government contractors to officials who approve government contracts.  Donations are limited to $2,000.  The limit also applies to labor unions who represent government workers. See  Governor's News Release, Jan. 2, 2007; Ohio to Limit Vendors' Campaign Gifts by Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer, Dec. 21, 2006. 

Construction Crew Residency Ordinance Prevents Cleveland from Obtaining Federal Funds

The federal court, Southern District of Ohio, decided that the Federal Highway Administration acted lawfully in denying highway funds for the Kinsman Road resurfacing project.  The Federal Highway Administration refused funds because of Cleveland's Fannie Lewis Law.  This ordinance requires that 20% of the work hours on all road construction jobs be performed by Cleveland residents.  The court found that the ordinance violated the open competitive bidding requirements of 23 U.S.C. 112.  Court Rules Against Fannie Lewis Law by Susan Vinella, The Plain Dealer, Jan. 14, 2006; Download show_case_doc.pdf , the order granting summary judgment in favor of third party defendant Federal Highway Administration, in City of Cleveland v. State of Ohio (Jan. 13, 2006), S.D. Ohio Case No. 2:04-CV-805 .