Laura Yeomans, research director for the group, said the cash flow means access for the powerful and rich, while less wealthy interest groups, such as the advocacy groups for the disabled that held a protest this month in Gov. Bob Taft's office, have little or no access.
Some people deserve as much time and access.
Both unions frequently make donations to Democrats, although the OEA's national affiliate backed Republican George Voinovich for U.S. Senate last year. The top individual giver was Montford Will of Everen Securities in suburban Dublin. Wills was out of town and not available to comment on his donations, his office said. Party chairman David Leland said he welcomes donations of any size. State GOP Chairman Robert Bennett said he would rather see money donated to candidates and parties than go directly to special interest groups, and that the percentage of donations compared with the economy overall has remained steady.