Toledo city employee unions are at odds with mayor Mike Bell, again. This time, it concerns campaign contributions. It stems from the mayor's request to increase pay for some top city department heads.
The mayor says some of his top people haven't had a pay raise in 14-years, but some on council worry the mayor wants to give his people a pay raise so they contribute to his re-election campaign.
Councilman Steve Steel (D) has asked the mayor to agree to an ethics pledge vowing not to take campaign money from his aides if Bell runs for re-election.
Council president Joe McNamara likes the idea, telling 13abc's Bill Hormann. "It's not illegal but it's shabby to accept money from people who can hire and fire."
"I though his proposal was an excellent one but I thought it went a little short."
That was the reasoning behind the mayor's counter proposal to the Steel plan. Instead of limiting the *mayor's contributors,* Bell is offering a city ordinance the applies to *all city political candidates.* It would prohibit candidates from taking contributions from current city employees, their family members or bargaining units that represents city employees.
Mayor Bell says, "If you really want to do it fairly then its about creating the reform necessary so that this thing does not occur necessarily at the mayor's level, or council level or any candidate's level."
But adding unions to the prohibition upsets some political active unions who admit they contribute to candidates who support their cause.
"Anything that happens to us is through political means."
Dan Wagner is the president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association. He's convinced the mayor's idea violates free speech rights allowing Americans to support the candidate of their choice...
Wagner insists Bell is simply punching back at unions that fought him over collective bargaining, last year. Wagner tells 13abc, "If (the mayor) knows that he's not going to have that financial support (from unions) why not pass legislation to take that financial support away from your opponent?"
Steve Steel's pledge is voluntary; the mayor doesn't have to agree to it.
But the mayor's plan would be new city law.
In 2009, the United States Supreme Court said campaign contributions are free speech so the mayor's plan may not be legal. But it is an indication that the unions will fight Mike Bell if he runs for mayor.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:33 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:33:49 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:03 GMT
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling off in the water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:51:49 GMT
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield. Officers tell 13abc a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers someone shot
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield.
Tuesday, January 8 2013 3:17 PM EST2013-01-08 20:17:40 GMT
"Today, I am announcing my decision not to seek election as Governor of Ohio in 2014," said Ted Strickland, former Governor of Ohio. "In many ways, this has been a very difficult decision. I look back
Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced Tuesday that he will not run for that office in 2014.
Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a law that gives distressed communities the ability to choose an emergency manager or other remedies to fix their finances.
Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a law that gives distressed communities the ability to choose an emergency manager or other remedies to fix their finances.
Thursday, December 13 2012 6:27 PM EST2012-12-13 23:27:52 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - State senators on Thursday cast largely symbolic votes supporting a bipartisan plan to change the way Ohio draws political maps. The Senate passed the measure almost unanimously
State senators on Thursday cast largely symbolic votes supporting a bipartisan plan to change the way Ohio draws political maps.
Monday, December 10 2012 4:06 PM EST2012-12-10 21:06:28 GMT
The presidential election is over so now Toledo voters can turn their attention to the mayor's race.Mayor Mike Bell (I) has not announced whether he'll run for re-election but some challengers are close
The presidential election is over so now Toledo voters can turn their attention to the mayor's race.Mayor Mike Bell (I) has not announced whether he'll run for re-election but some challengers are close
President Barack Obama has arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a trip to visit a suburban Detroit auto plant.
President Barack Obama has arrived at a suburban Detroit auto plant for a visit geared to the economy and his administration's tax standoff with congressional Republicans.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:19 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:19:14 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Toledo. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. Dispatchers tell us heavy flames are showing.
Toledo firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire in Toledo late Tuesday night. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:33 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:33:49 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:03 GMT
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling
Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling off in the water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:51:49 GMT
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield. Officers tell 13abc a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers someone shot
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:39:16 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
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