Governor Strickland Announces New State Ethics Policy

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed his first Executive Order on January 8, 2007, immediately after being sworn in, setting a strict new ethics policy for state government.

Executive Order 2007-01S requires the Governor, his staff, cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions to decline virtually all gifts, except de minimus gifts valued at under $20. Each state department and agency is also ordered to appoint a senior staff member to serve as the chief ethics officer for the department and be responsible for educating staff about all ethical requirements. Finally, the Executive Order creates an anonymous system for reporting possible ethical violations.

Companies that do business with the state will be required to certify in writing that they understand and will abide by Ohio ethics laws and the Executive Order. Cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions are encouraged to make public meetings more accessible, including presenting meetings live or recorded on the Internet. Finally, the Order requires government agencies or departments to put their reasons for awarding no-bid contracts in writing and make those available to the public.

Bricker & Eckler Bulletin regarding Executive Order 2007-01S

Interpretation and Application of Executive Order 2007-01S
A series of questions and answers on the Ohio ethics policy prepared by the Ohio Governor's Office - February 2008