The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-01-15
Capitol Comment:

14tlAC dUES AiS dNG 1lbA~
gen in Ohio realize the inn
portant part the Legislative
Service Commission, located
in the State Capitol in Column
bus, indirectly plays in his or
her life.
This Commission came into
being over IL years ago by an
Act of the Legislature. 1t is
becoming a powerful factor
in the legislative process.
With the passage of each year,
it is gaining more acceptance
as it quietly goes about com
piling facts, securing informa-
ton and doing research on
subjects req e d by the
members of the House and
the Senate. Its chief function
Is studying problems (current
and future) confronting the
state. While the legislature is
in process, the legislators re-
fer bills to the Commission
for immediate study, particu-
larly if the subject is Of a con-
troversial nature at the time
it is introduced and facts are
needed to enable the legisla-
ture to reach a decision.
According to the experts,
the Commission has taken
the hit and miss factors and
guesswork out of legislation"
Legislators aided by the
Commission can thus spend
their time profitably planning
for the future when the gen.
eral assembly is not in SEES
sion. Members Of the legisla.
ture readily admit when they
are armed with information
and recommendations by the
Commission, it is easier to get
a bill passed or defeated if the
facts so warrant it. One legis-
lator recently stated that the
commission saves the taxpay-
ers money and prevents bad
legislation from being enact
ed. 1t keeps special interests
from stampeding legislation
through the assembly that
possibly would not be in the
best interests of all the citl-
zens. The legislators admit
they cannot be experts in ev-
cry field and that they need
the facts before they can act.
The Com m | $ slon's staff
functions under the staff Of a
director, appointed by a com.
mittee, composed Of biparti-
san senators and house mem
bers. II employs qualified re
search experts to conduct
studies and secure facts. After
the studies are completed, it
publishes its findings for the
members of the legislature
and the general public if they
request the data,
II anyone is interested in
the type of legislation likely
TO confront and secure the at
tention OF the 104th General
Assembly, a quick review OF
the work and studies now be-
ing made by the Commission
will shed some light on the
matter.
Eleven studies have been
authorized by the Commission
so far and include Social Sc
curity for Public Employees,
REORGANIZATION Of the Depart
ment of Mental Hygiene and
Correction, ion of
"Land and Improvements" IN
relation to taxation, organiza-
ton and financing OF general
health districts, organization
and methods OF the Depart
ment of Education and the
State Board of Education, Ro~
tary Funds, Organization OF
the Public Utilities Commits
sion. State Licensing Boards,
capital punishment, a possible
code revision, and the organi.
cation Of court systems, par
ticularly the need for addi-
tional judges.
Several other sub ects.
which include a study OF the
migrant worker problem and
the laws relative to %obseenity,
may be studied. This decision
Is expected shortly.
What are the reasons and
the background that cause
the above subjects to be stud
led by the Legislative Service
-4mm.AAa