Poll: More Transparency Sought From State-Hired Lawyers
COLUMBUS – The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions today joined the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) in calling for increased accountability and disclosure from private attorneys working on behalf of state government.
Today, ATRA released an opinion poll showing Ohioans overwhelming support important reforms regarding outside attorneys – known as special counsels – hired by state government. In particular, 77 percent of Ohioans want special counsel contracts posted online, 68 percent want these contracts competitively bid, and 87 percent want detailed billing information proactively released.
“Public disclosure and competitively bid contracts are the best tonics for inefficient and wasteful government spending,” said Buckeye Institute President David Hansen. “State government spends millions of tax dollars each year on outside attorneys. While many of these legal professionals provide valuable legal insight and technical expertise, they should also meet minimum disclosure requirements."
The ATRA survey can be found at www.atra.org.
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio. It assists policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, the media and the public by providing objective analysis and sound solutions to state and local policy questions, particularly in the areas of taxation, government spending, regulation and education.
The institute neither seeks nor accepts government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals and businesses sharing a concern for Ohio’s future.
