Thursday, January 13, 2000
Two plan to share speakership
GOP reps in deal for next year
BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS — Bill Harris and Larry Householder aren't familiar names outside Statehouse political circles. But the two men likely will wield considerable influence over state laws dictating everything from taxes and school funding to gun laws and sports stadiums.
Under an unprecedented power-sharing pact announced Wednesday after months of behind-the-scenes politicking, the two Republican state lawmakers agreed to share the House speakership starting next year.
Appearing at a Statehouse press conference flanking the current speaker, Jo Ann Davidson of suburban Columbus, Mr. Harris and Mr. Householder said repeatedly that they will share leadership responsibilities. Term limits prevent Ms. Davidson from running again.
However, Mr. Householder, an Athens County Republican first elected in 1996, appeared to gain the upper hand. He will control the House Republican campaign checkbook in 2001 and in 2002, when he is scheduled to succeed Mr. Harris as speaker.
“Bill Harris and I made this pact because we feel it's in the best interest of the state of Ohio and the Republican Party,” said Mr. Householder, who will be in position to retain the speakership during the 2003-04 General Assembly.
“This is about unity, harmony and integrity,” said Mr. Harris, an Ashland Republican first elected in 1994.
The deal also is about money.
Republican leaders and lobbyists feared a divisive battle for the top spot in the House would distract them from focusing on electing GOP candidates and retaining their majority (now 59-40). Lobbyists also were concerned about giving money to candidates favored by either Mr. Harris or Mr. Householder, mindful the contributions could offend the other man.
The House speaker is one of the top elected posts in Ohio, sharing power with the governor and Senate president in mapping out the state's agenda and writing the state's $40 billion two-year budget. It's rare for a bill to become a law without the speaker's approval.
Announcing a deal now, 10 months before the general election, may mark a truce in the battle for influence. But it also could spark tussles for spots on the next speaker's leadership team.
Term limits will force many veteran lawmakers to seek other elected posts or private-sector jobs. House members seeking re-election and vying for promotions include Reps. Patricia Clancy, R-Colerain Township, and two Butler County Republicans, Gary Cates of West Chester and Greg Jolivette of Hamilton.
“Larry clearly had the votes to win this outright, but he felt this deal was in the best for the institution and the caucus,” said Mr. Cates, a Householder backer.
The deal brokered between the two men closely resembles an arrangement first broached publicly by Mr. Jolivette, who wrote a letter to Mr. Householder last year suggesting that he and Mr. Harris share the speakership.
“I've got a pretty good crystal ball, don't I,” quipped Mr. Jolivette, a Harris supporter.
It's unclear what effect the deal will have on Gov. Bob Taft's agenda. Mr. Householder is considered to be more conservative than Mr. Taft and supporters of Mr. Harris.
Democrats groused that it was premature to announce the next House leader before the voters choose their elected representatives. “They are satisfying their own political ambition at the expense of democracy,” said House Minority Leader Jack Ford, D-Toledo.
Both Mr. Harris and Mr. Householder tried to enlist the support of legislative candidates seeking to replace veterans forced out by term limits, including hopefuls up for five open House seats in Hamilton County.
“When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled. And those of us newcomers are the grass,” said William Seitz, a Green Township trustee running to succeed incumbent GOP Rep. Cheryl Winkler.
“In that respect, I'm happy they resolved it,” Mr. Seitz said of the leadership battle. “We don't need endless disputes about who should be the leader of the train. We need to figure out how to get the train moving.”
Tom Brinkman, a Mount Washington conservative running for the seat being vacated by Jackie O'Brien of Anderson Township, met with Mr. Householder on Wednesday morning, just before the leadership deal was announced.
“Everybody seems to have a godfather or godmother in this deal,” said Mr. Brinkman, who faces a primary battle with the GOP-endorsed candidate, Steve Adams, a former assistant county prosecutor.
“Householder seems to be the guy social conservatives like,” Mr. Brinkman said. “But I want to know if he's going to support me with some green stuff — money. That's what really matters right now.”
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