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Senators hear septic lobbyists then walk out
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - May 13, 2009)
Senators hear septic lobbyists then walk out
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Geauga County officials who made the trip to Columbus last week found themselves playing second fiddle to lobbyists.
The Geauga contingent had to wait to make counter arguments as lobbyists, manufacturer representatives and labor associations pitched their ideas for new and more expensive septic systems statewide. And by the time local officials spoke, many of the committee members had departed.
The hearing was before the Ohio Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. The committee members are: Timothy Grendell, R-Chester; Timothy Schaffer, R-Lancaster; Jimmy Stewart, R-Albany; Gary Cates, R-West Chester; Robert Gibbs, R-Lakeview; Thomas Niehaus, R-New Richmond; Sue Morano, D-Lorain; Dale Miller, D-Cleveland; and Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton.
The committee took testimony on Senate Bill 110, which favors the new septic systems, and Senate Bill 100, which allows local authorities to continue to regulate existing systems.
Mr. Grendell said he was "disappointed" that S.B. 110 was given preference in the hearing over S.B. 100, which he has proposed as a counter measure to the new regulations.
He said he believes that the committee's chairman, Mr. Schaffer, is relatively new and may have shown deference to Mr. Niehaus, who proposed S.B. 110, because he is Senate president pro tempore.
But Mr. Grendell said the idea that the committee listened to paid lobbyists and then walked out by the time local officials began to speak was a rush to judgment. "I don't think it was deliberate as much as it was over-scheduling," he said.
By the end, he said, only he and Mr. Schaffer and one Democratic committee member were left in the hearing.
He said the hearing began with a representative from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency speaking, but it was more of a "meet and greet" rather than an informational talk dealing with either of the bills.
Then, possibly out of deference to Mr. Niehaus, the lobbyists and their cohorts were allowed to speak on behalf of S.B. 110.
By the time local officials were given the podium, he said, many of the committee members were called out to other committee commitments.
Mr. Grendell said it didn't make sense. His bill, S.B. 100, was introduced before S.B. 110, so, logically, it would make sense that his bill should have been heard first, he said.
Most of the lobbyists are stationed in Columbus, Mr. Grendell said, and are being paid to attend the hearing. Those from Geauga County had to give up a day and travel to Columbus to be heard, he said. "They should have heard from the citizens first, because the lobbyists are getting paid anyhow."
But the lobbyist pull in Columbus is strong, Mr. Grendell said. "The lobbyists' influence on S.B. 110 was obvious, and the lobbyist influence is that S.B. 110 is even there and getting top billing."
He said every witness to speak on behalf of S.B. 110 was a lobbyist or septic manufacturer or a trade association member.
He said Mr. Schaffer is a "good and fair man" who may have been influenced by Mr. Niehaus because of his position in the Senate.
Mr. Grendell said he planned to deliver a copy of the testimony to every Senate and House member to ensure they get the whole story.
He called the fight against the more expensive septic systems the "toughest battle" he has ever waged at the Statehouse.
"They've sold home buyers and homeowners down the river. They've thrown them under the bus," he said. "That's unfortunate, and I'm going to fight this to the death."
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