Ohio Supreme Court Ruling Shields Cost of Governor's Security Detail from Public View

Decision Criticized as Attack on Transparency and Blow to Democratic Governance in Ohio

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision that the cost of Governor Mike DeWine's security detail during his trip to the 2022 Super Bowl is not a public record. The Cincinnati Enquirer had requested the total cost of the taxpayer-funded security detail for the trip, but the court invoked the 'security records' exemption in Ohio's public records laws.
The court's decision has been criticized as an attack on transparency and a blow to free and open democracy in Ohio. Critics argue that the ruling allows elected leaders to spend taxpayer money without accountability, as the public will no longer know how their money is being spent.
The ruling has also raised concerns about the potential for elected officials to abuse their expense accounts. Critics argue that the court's decision contradicts previous precedents and that the public has a right to know how their tax dollars are spent.
The decision was split along party lines, with the four Republican justices ruling in favor of withholding the records. The three Democratic justices dissented, arguing that the transparency of the public greatly outweighs the potential security risks.
The ruling has sparked debate about the balance between transparency and security. While some argue that the decision protects the governor's safety, others contend that it undermines the principles of transparency and democratic governance.