The group, Real Reform Done Right, that’s pushing the wait and study approach, says it’s already come to one conclusion about what’s needed – a prohibition on elected officials asking their employees to contribute to their campaigns. And Issue 5 backers pointed to the absence of such a provision in Issue 6 as evidence that it is seriously flawed; Issue 6 proposes to switch now to a county executive form of government. Here’s State Representative Mike Foley who spoke outside the Cuyahoga County Justice center this morning.
FOLEY: At a time when all the allegations of corruption of county elected officials, that a proposal is being put forward that has no campaign finance limits, and no laws or limits on who can contribute and how much they can contribute is a significant flaw, and something that should disqualify Issue 6 as something people should vote for.
Earlier this week, this same group backing Issue 5 blasted County Prosecutor Bill Mason for fundraising from his employees. Mason is a strong advocate for reform now. He says all his donations were within the law. Mason and others behind Issue 6 say leaving out campaign finance reform was an oversight in their reform plan that can be fixed later – after the county commissioner form of government is replaced.