Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill to limit the rights of politically active corporations to hold state contracts
The Republican governor announced his plan in an email to supporters earlier in the day. A spokesman confirmed the bill-signing at the time.
The bill was approved Wednesday by the GOP-led state House and Senate.
The measure prompted weeks of pro-business protests by major lobbying groups amid a national debate over corporate personhood keyed by a similar bill passed in France and now being considered for adoption by the European Parliament.
The bill prevents companies that engage in the political process from bidding on state contracts. The Ohio bill applies to providers of such government services as transportation, road construction, carbonated drinks, telecommunications, abortions, and food services. Executives of companies employing non government workers, such as prison guards, airlines, houses of prostitution, and garbage collection would be prohibited from contributing to PACs and must submit annual forms reporting all such contributions. The bill eliminates payments for cost overruns and any use of Ohio fees for training corporate personnel in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida, or Monte Carlo.
Opponents have vowed to push for a ballot repeal.
APRIL FOOL! you can’t punk me with this nonsense … and Kasich wouldn’t be caught dead signing a bill like that (unfortunately); he’s way too much of a corporate whore for that.