For all who participate in government service in Ohio, the responsibilities of the Ethics Commission have applied since 1974. Generally the Commission's duties include overseeing compliance with the Law, which also covers required annual Financial Disclosure of many officials and public employees under its jurisdiction.

As the impact of public work, including contracts and services, has expanded in various ways, more widespread attention has been focused on the purpose of filing of Financial Disclosures. Thus it helps to comment here upon the use and benefit of nearly 11,000 annual filings made by elected officials and employees in administrative and executive branches of government.

The underlying principle - for all functions of the Ethics Law - is to uphold straight-forward standards of conduct that maintain integrity and propriety in connection with decisions and policy involving public funds. Particularly, the Law prohibits conflict of interest or personal gain in making and implementing public decisions.

In an era of rapid communication and broader awareness of use of tax dollars, it is useful for taxpayers, and all citizens, to be aware of safeguards Ohio's Law affords the public. It is also important to know that differences may exist between a variety of permissible private sector practices (like exchanges of gifts or business incentives or family favoritism) in contrast to the expectation of Ohio Law that there be no personal conflict when public monies are expended.

With jurisdiction over a wide range of government processes, the Ethics Commission deals with oversight different from issues or circumstances regarding lobbying or legislative activity. In fact, the vast majority of officials and employees at all levels in Ohio understand Disclosure requirements and the Ethics Law, and there have been relatively few failures of public trust.

Our bipartisan membership has always reflected diversities of experience in seeking practical adherence to the Ethics Law, incorporating these main points: 1) Information in annual Disclosures provides a regular "self reminder" by which each filer must meet, on-the-record, the same basic standards. 2) The Commission frequently uses its statutory authority to provide individual answers to questions which may be asked about how to properly follow the Law.

In the last decade alone, this ability to give Advisory Opinions has resulted in many hundreds of Commission advisory responses. In its oversight, and in considering findings or penalties for actions adverse to the public interest, the Commission - one of the earliest in the U.S. with these broad functions - employs careful procedures. The process is not always simple, but it is deliberate; and where mandated, confidentiality has always been strictly maintained.

We who have followed the Law's history, and the responsiveness of so many in public service in Ohio, have seen the benefit of raising overall confidence in the work of public offices, officials, and agencies operating all across the State. Thus for all who interact with government in Ohio, the Commission wants no mystery about the purposes served by the Law.

Merom Brachman
Member, and Past Chairman

01/2006