Ohio Gov. Freezes Agencies' Lunch Tab

[Judi Lynn]

Ohio Gov. Freezes Agencies' Lunch Tab

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 6, 2007
Filed at 4:21 p.m. ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Gov. Ted Strickland told all state agencies Tuesday to stop ordering coffee, lunch and other meals while his office reviews nearly $4 million in food-related expenses in the past two years.

His executive order put a freeze on breakfast trays and other food provided at meetings and conferences held for official state business, Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey said.

The move was prompted by a Senate finance committee report Monday showing that the Ohio Board of Regents, the agency that oversees higher education policy, had spent $113,000 on catering services and restaurant tabs since 2005, including several charges at high-end restaurants in Columbus, Dailey said.

A message seeking comment from the Board of Regents was not immediately returned.

State agencies hosting meetings and seminars had 5,430 food-related expenses over the past 19 months, totaling $3.9 million, according to data released by Strickland's office.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Governor-Food-Expenses.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[BayCityProgressive]

1. good

this is sickening. $5 million would be better spent on medicaid.

[LynneSin]

2. Or food for the poor in the state of Ohio

That's alot of meals they could have bought to feed people who barely have any

[cmd]

3. Thank you, Gov. Ted

You make me proud to be from Ohio.

[LiberalFighter]

4. At the least they should make their own coffee

I wonder if they were receiving per diem expenses and at the same time their meals at meetings and conferences were provided for free.

[geiger]

5. Apparently there is an IRS rule that prohibits meal allowances unless

the parties are doing an overnight stay.

[geiger]

7. besides the fact that there appears to be blatant abuse of the privilege

[geiger]

6. and meanwhile arrogant Statehouse Republicans work on a meaningless non-binding

resolution to welcome Iraquis to Ohio, trying to embarrass the Governor.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OH_XGR_IRAQ_RESOLUTION_OHOL-?SITE=OHWOO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[geiger]

8. The Republicans ARE known for their ability to put on a good party.

At least the Dems wont be picking up the tab this time (joke, for those who remember the Redfern incident)

[Kolesar]

9. I think that there should be a practical accomodation for charging for meals

Public radio reported that members of the Board of Regents are unpaid and often put 20 hours of work in per week. And they have regular jobs. Senior government people also have to interface with the big money people in America, so they are not content with a meal at the Olive Garden.

For example, if billionaire Richard Branson flew to the Buckeye State to discuss funding a climate protection program, where would you take him to lunch?

[geiger]

10. I agree with you, but I think what prompted this whole freeze were

some cases of blatant abuse.

On the other hand, I have worked for nonprofit boards and libraries with volunteer boards, and never did they not pay for their own meals, even if attending a staff function. I dont know the exact law, but there are clearly some legal parameters in place that would have to be dealt with to make a change.

We are allowed to host other volunteer functions, clearly on the "company tab," and it would seem reasonable to offer board members some type of consideration.