Why not background checks for legislators, indeed?

"Why not?" is the question asked in a Dispatch editorial that followed its publication of a news report about the Ohio Senate slamming the lid on an amendment that would require state legislature candidates to endure background checks.

The amendment was proposed for a bill requiring such checks for folks who apply for many types of professional licenses issued by the state. Those who rule the licensing procedure are apparently above such scrutiny themselves.

Background checks, with publication on the Internet of the findings, should be required from all Ohio candidates, not just legislators.

Republicans were guilty of rejecting the amendment, with only two of them voting for it. I'm told by Ann Fisher, Dispatch columnist, that Newark's state senator, Tim Schaffer, was among those who voted against it. Ann wrote "Legislators flee the scrutiny they decree" published 12/14/07.

The vote to kill this proposal was shameful. But it may not matter, in view of the Dispatch editorial, the Dispatch news report, the Dispatch commentary, and the Dispatch reader poll showing 81 percent of its readers are in favor of it.

The time for such a procedure has arrived. Let's put every candidate's history in the open, not just the little guys who need licenses for a livelihood.