Senators returned $11,000 to Internet cafes

After Dispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett busted a private “fact-finding” gig on April 9 in the back room of a ritzy Columbus steakhouse involving state lawmakers and representatives of Internet cafe gambling interests, Ohio Senate President Keith Faber said GOP senators would return any campaign cash they had received this year from the controversial establishments.

Campaign-finance reports filed last week showed $11,000 worth of refunds — all within 10 days of the Dispatch story.

Faber himself returned $1,500, but the biggest “refunder” was Sen. Tom Patton of Strongsville, who gave back $4,500.

The refund policy did not apply to the $110,000 lawmakers got in 2012 from the Internet cafe industry. Speaker William G. Batchelder called on state Rep. Peter Beck to resign after being indicted on 16 felony counts.

Last week, Batchelder picked the Republican from Cincinnati for a new legislative panel to study tax reform. What gives? “I think it is worth noting these are study committees and not standing committees, meaning that service is voluntary and there are no extra stipends for a member’s service,” said Batchelder spokesman Mike Dittoe, who noted everyone who asked was made a member. “Unlike standing House committees, there are not formal votes where legislation is passed.”

Speaking of standing committees, Beck remains a chairman, although the speaker could remove him at any time.

“No discussions have taken place on committee assignments at this time, largely because the House Ways & Means Committee has not met since June and is not slated to meet over the summer,” Dittoe said. “If the speaker intends to make changes to the committee membership, it is likely that would take place prior to the next meeting.”

Toward the conclusion of Wednesday’s session in the U.S. House, Speaker John Boehner delivered a somewhat unusual announcement to his colleagues: “Members should wear appropriate business attire during all sittings of the House, however brief their appearance on the floor.”

The West Chester Republican, who never is seen around the House without a suit and tie, did not say what prompted his admonition. But perhaps it had to do with GOP Rep. Mark Sanford — yes, that Mark Sanford who vanished from the South Carolina’s governor’s office to visit his mistress in Argentina — showing up in the speaker’s lobby last week wearing gym shorts, T-shirt and sneakers. Apparently Sanford had just rushed from the House gym to cast a vote.