BY SANDY THEIS
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- Bob Taft, the Republican candidate for governor, thinks his Democratic opponent is violating at least the spirit of the law.
The opponent, Lee Fisher, thinks Mr. Taft is being "hypocritical." Reason for the assertions: The continuing dispute over Ohio's campaign finance law.
Despite efforts at "reforming" the way money is raised and reported in political campaigns, lawyers and politicians often find ways around the reforms.
The latest reform effort appears to have created a 12-day window during which labor unions can give unlimited sums of money. On Monday, however, the window will close when a new law takes effect that limits to $2,500 the amount unions can give.
On Thursday, Mr. Fisher's staff confirmed that his campaign has received some money during the window. They won't say how much. On Friday, Mr. Taft sent a letter to Mr. Fisher urging him to return the money, and the attorney general, a Republican, asked the state Supreme Court to decide whether the 12-day window really exists.
"No one -- Republican, Democrat, labor or business representative -- believes that Ohio should return to the wild west days when six-figure campaign contributions were common place," Mr. Taft wrote in the letter. "No one, apparently, but you."
Aides to Mr. Fisher say he will not return the money and is not breaking the law, one written by Republican lawmakers and signed by the Republican governor.
Fisher campaign manager Alan Melamed noted that Mr. Taft sent out a fund-raising letter shortly before the limits took effect. The letter told potential donors of the upcoming limits and asked them to give $5,000 while they still could.
"This is so hypocritical," Mr. Melamed said. "We have never apologized, and never will apologize for the support -- legal support -- we've received from the working men and women of Ohio."
Whether it is legal or not will be ultimately determined by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Attorney General Betty Montgomery has asked it to determine whether Mr. Fisher can receive the money.
The answer centers on whether a stay granted by the 10th District Court of Appeals remains in effect, or has been lifted.
The appeals court handed organized labor a major victory in March when it struck down provisions of a 1995 state law that restricted the use of union dues for political contributions. Ms. Montgomery appealed and received a stay putting that decision on hold, but the Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
