Partnership for Ohio's Future
{{#badges: Koch Exposed}}The Partnership for Ohio’s Future (POF) is a 501(c)(4) organization formed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. The only contact named on POF's website, Linda Woggon, is listed as an Executive Vice President on tax filings for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Ohio Chamber of Commerce reported paying her $150,100 in 2012.[1]
According to the group's website, its purpose is "to educate the public about policies that lead to greater opportunities and a higher quality of life for Ohio citizens. The Partnership also encourages the public to learn about the issues and elections that impact Ohio's economy."[2]
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Contents
Election Spending
POF is one of many organizations that spend large sums on state elections without disclosing their donors. Some observers are concerned about the effects of these anonymous donations, reports Bloomberg Businessweek:
- "Anonymous contributions are legal in both Michigan and Ohio -- and that's the problem, says Donald B. Tobin, a professor at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law who specializes in campaign finance. 'Whenever you have a lack of disclosure, you have a feeling of corruption or the feeling that you're not getting a fair day in court.'"[3]
A report by the National Institute on Money in State Politics identified POF as one of the "top independent spenders in Ohio" in 2006, when it spent $2,695,488; and in 2008, when it spent $943,310.[4]
Ohio Supreme Court Race 2010
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, POF "spent almost $1.6 million on behalf of two Republican Supreme Court candidates who were elected in November" 2010.[3]
Accusations of Racketeering
On October 28, 2010, Ohio election attorney Cliff Arnebeck filed a complaint with the Ohio Election Commission arguing that POF was illegally coordinating its campaign with the Republican candidates through the US Chamber of Commerce and Karl Rove's American Crossroads.[5] The complaint was dismissed by the Commission on a 4-1 vote.[6]
Funding
POF is listed as a "related tax-exempt organization" on the Ohio Chamber of Commerce's IRS 990 filings. POF does not disclose the names of its contributors, but some of its donors can be identified through their own tax filings:
- In 2012, Freedom Partners reported giving $500,000 to POF.
- The National Federation of Independent Business reported giving $37,743 to POF in 2010[7] and $33,000 in 2012.[8]
- According to Education Week, StudentsFirst reported giving a grant of $100,000 to POF between October 2010 and July 2011. Education Week wrote that the POF "apparently has backed some of Gov. John Kasich's budget plans."[9]
2006 Funders
Public Citizen reported the following contributors to POF in 2006:[10]
- US Chamber of Commerce: $634,000
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce: $165,000
- Nationwide Mutual Insurance: $75,000
- American Insurance Association: $50,000
- State Auto Mutal Insurance: $50,000
- Motorists Mutual Insurance: $35,000
- Ohio National Life Insurance: $30,000
- Duke Energy: $25,000
- Ohio Farmers Insurance: $25,000
- St. Paul Travelers: $25,000
- State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance: $25,000
- Western and Southern Life Insurance: $25,000
- PPG Industries Inc.: $20,000
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield: $15,000
- Grange Insurance Companies: $15,000
- Timken Co.: $15,000
- CNA: $10,000
- Ohio Casualty Group: $10,000
- Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants: $10,000
- USAA Insurance: $10,000
- Ace American Insurance: $5,000
- Ohio Oil and Gas Association: $5,000
- Ohio Contractors Association: $2,500
Core Financials
2011[11]
- Total Revenue: $4,794,727
- This revenue was listed as "Program Service Revenue" for "Issue Advocacy"
- Total Expenses: $4,715,428
- Major Expense: $4,115,500 for "Contributions/Organizational Support"
- Net Assets: $106,718
2010[12]
- Total Revenue: $1,691,243
- This revenue was listed as "Program Service Revenue" for "Issue Advocacy"
- Total Expenses: $1,775,231
- Major Expenses: $1,517,209 for "Media Buys - Radio & TV" and $183,110 for "Printing"
- Net Assets: $27,419
2009[12]
- Total Revenue: $45,000
- Total Expenses: $599
- Net Assets: $44,401
Personnel
POF does not list its staff or board on its website. The following were listed on its IRS filings in 2010 and 2011.
- David L. Scheffler, President
- J. Van Carson
- E. Emmett Boyle, Secretary
- Robert Blazer
- Linda S. Woggon, Vice President
- Jon Allison (only in 2010)
- Deboral S. Kullman, Treasurer (only in 2010)
Contact Information
Linda Woggon
Email: lwoggon@ohiochamber.com
Phone: 614-228-4201.[13]
230 E Town Street
Columbus, OH 43215[11]
This address was also listed as the address for Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Articles and Resources
Related SourceWatch Articles
- Koch Brothers
- Koch Family Foundations
- Americans for Prosperity
- Freedom Partners
- Cato Institute
- Heritage Foundation
- Koch Universities
- Koch Network
- Knowledge and Progress Fund
- American Encore
- DonorsTrust
- Donors Capital
- 60 Plus
- Generation Opportunity
References
- ↑ Ohio Chamber of Commerce, 2012 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, April 5, 2013. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ The Partnership for Ohio's Future, About, organizational website, accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tim Jones, "Secret Cash Dominates in State Court Races," Bloomberg BusinessWeek, May 12, 2011. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ Robin Parkinson, National Institute on Money in State Politics, "Independent Spending in Ohio, 2006-2010," organizational report, December 2, 2011. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ Harvey Wasserman and Bob Fitrakis, "Why We Have Filed Racketeering Charges vs. Karl Rove's Election Operations," Daily Kos, October 29, 2010. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ Arnebeck Jr. vs. Partnership for Ohio's Future, Ohio Elections Commission Probable Cause Panel case proceedings, November 1, 2010.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Business, 2010 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Business, 2012 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ Stephen Sawchuk, "StudentsFirst Raises $7.6 million in 2010-11," Education Week, June 25, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ Public Citizen, "A Snapshot of Ohio-based 501(c) Electioneering Groups Involved with Judicial Elections, accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Partnership for Ohio's Future, 2011 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, April 19, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Partnership for Ohio's Future, 2010 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, August 15, 2011. Accessed June 25, 2014.
- ↑ The Partnership for Ohio's Future, Contact the Partnership, Official Website, accessed October 30, 2013.
