Lawmakers want roll-call votes on state panel, by Lee Leonard, Columbus Dispatch, (10-18-95)

Ohio's two Democratic legislative leaders asked the State Board of Education yesterday to change its policy and take roll-call votes on all resolutions and agenda items.

Otherwise, said Senate Minority Leader Robert J. Boggs of Rock Creek, the Democrats may try to pass a bill requiring the roll-call votes. "They can do it by rule or we can do it in law," he said.

Boggs told reporters his staff is researching Ohio law to see if any other board or commission is allowed to take action without roll call votes.

Boggs and House Minority Leader Patrick A. Sweeney, D-Cleveland, wrote the 19 board members complaining about the new policy, which allows voice votes unless a fifth of the members present ask for a roll call. The letter also was signed by Sen. W. Scott Oelslager, R-Canton.

"Our concern about the new policy can be summarized in one word: accountability," the letter said. "By junking roll-call votes, you have invited a cloak of secrecy to be pulled over the public's eye.

"Frankly, we are outraged and astounded that any government board would consciously choose to conduct the people's business in the black hole of anonymous votes. There is not a single board of education in whole state of Ohio that would consider such a policy."

Board President Virginia Purdy said the new policy worked well at the October meeting. She invited detractors to examine the minutes and said they show recorded votes on all matters with even a minimum of controversy.

"Whenever there was a question, I called for a roll call," said Purdy. "I feel the way we're doing it is very accountable."

Tom Needles, executive assistant to the governor, said his office asked the board before it set the policy Oct. 9 "that on matters of importance there be accountability through roll call votes."

Needles said the governor is not going to ask his eight appointees to try to rescind the policy. "This was a consensus decision by the board," he said. 'We have not attempted in the past and will not in the future attempt to micro-manage the action of the state board."

Thirty-eight Democratic state legislators, including the two minority leaders, asked Voinovich last week to get the board to rescind its policy. The letter was signed by all 13 Democratic state senators and 25 of the 43 House Democrats.