Friday, October 22, 1999
Businesses major backers of school campaigns
Levy considered crucial for city
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati's corporate community raised more than 90 percent of the money Cincinnati Public Schools supporters have used to campaign for a proposed $24 million levy many businesses see as critical to the region's vitality.
Business also contributed nearly half the money three of the six contenders for city school board raised through mid-October.
Campaign finance reports filed Thursday detailed contributions and spending through Oct. 13 by Cincinnati Board of Education candidates and Cincinnatians Active to Support Education, the political action committee lobbying for the levy's passage.
Backers of the school levy, which will appear as Issue 11 on the Nov. 2 ballot, raised $268,821 and spent $245,177. The 4.5-mill levy would cost the owner of a $75,000 home $103 a year. It would cover inflation, restore a $180-per-pupil cut and fund facility repairs.
Meanwhile, an anti-tax activist who has spoken out against the levy at school board meetings hasn't raised or spent anything to fight it.
Tom Brinkman Jr. of Mount Lookout, founder of the Coalition Opposed to Taxes and Spending, said he hopes to raise enough money in the next two weeks to create some radio ads.
As usual, when CPS issues or candidates are before voters, Cincinnati's corporate community digs deep.
Procter & Gamble donated $50,000 to the levy campaign. Besides P&G, 10 companies gave $10,000 or more — American Finan cial, Ashland, Cincinnati Financial Corp, Delta, Federated, Fifth Third Bank, Firstar, General Electric, Kroger and Western Southern Life Insurance.
Businesses were the biggest contributors to both the levy campaign and candidates Arthur Hull, Rick Williams and Louis Buschle.
The six candidates running for three open board seats in the 45,600-student district raised $185,130. Nearly half of the contributions to Mr. Hull, Mr. Williams and Mr. Buschle were from businesses.
The candidates and levy supporters spent most of their money on media. CASE used two-thirds of its contributions — more than $176,000 — on TV and radio ads and newspaper inserts. The group also paid Brewster Rhoads, the Mount Washington resident hired to head the campaign, $12,000 in consulting fees.
Of the school board's six candidates, Mr. Buschle of Columbia Tusculum had the biggest war chest, with $53,833.
Incumbent Williams of North Avondale and former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan of Walnut Hills followed, with $48,605 and $45,572, respectively.
Carl Lindner was a big benefactor for Mr. Buschle and Mr. Williams, giving $3,375 to each. Frisch's Chief Executive Craig Maier also gave Mr. Williams $12,000.
Thomas Conlan Jr, co-founder of Student Loan Funding, gave Mr. Gilligan his biggest boost with a $10,000 loan. The former governor also received $5,000 from the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers.
Incumbent Hull raised $32,135 and University of Cincinnati professor Florence Newell, $4,985.
Accountant Roy McGrath of Clifton didn't file a report; political action committees and candidates that raise less than $1,000 don't have to file.
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