COLUMBUS — Would you like to see how many checks Ohio issues, to whom and for how much?

You’ll be able to do just that if Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, gets his way.

Dovilla, with Treasurer Josh Mandel, announced his plan for the “Open Ohio” website, a free, searchable public database detailing most expenditures by state agencies.

It would include the amount of the payment, the date it was made, who was paid and the agency or entity responsible for the payment. It would not include spending by local governments or certain agencies such as JobsOhio. It would also redact the names of some safety officials under certain conditions.

“Our taxpayers deserve to know what money is being spent on and where their money is being spent,” Dovilla said at a news conference announcing the legislation. “Doing so would allow citizens to root out government waste, fraud and abuse.”

Sunshine Review, a nonprofit dedicated to state and local government transparency, gave Ohio a B grade on the state’s website, but noted the state received a D on the 2012 Integrity Index, which is “based on what laws are on the books and whether or not they were effectively enforced.”

Ohio received a 2013 grade of D+ on spending transparency from the Public Interest Research Group.

“As Ohio’s taxpayer watchdog,” Mandel said, “I believe it’s important that Ohioans have the ability to follow their tax dollars and hold elected officials accountable. Shining sunlight on state spending and decisions made deep in the bureaucracy will give taxpayers the resources to help root out waste, fraud and abuse.”

The Treasurer’s office will host the database, building on Mandel’s 2011 initiative, which provides salaries of state employees and local school districts. He said the cost of hosting the additional information would be “minimal.”

“The more sunlight we can shine on taxpayer spending, the more efficient government will be,” Mandel said.

State Auditor Dave Yost issued a statement in support of the effort.

“Putting the state checkbook online is a great addition to Ohio transparency,” he said. “This would mean millions of eyes could look at the same numbers – really creating an army of ‘citizen auditors.’”

The measure is supported by Ohio PIRG and the Buckeye Institute.

Dovilla said the text of the bill is being finalized, and he expects bipartisan support as it moves through the General Assembly.

State Reps. Mike Dovilla, R-7, and Marlene Anielski, R-6, introduced legislation today to protect Ohio taxpayers from public corruption.

Their measure will require the forfeiture of public pension benefits for public officials convicted of extortion and perjury. It also will strengthen current state law to allow pensions to be forfeited based on federal criminal convictions.

“Our legislation is designed to protect the taxpayers of Ohio, not the public pensions of corrupt politicians,” Dovilla said. “It is simply inexcusable that public officials who engage in theft in office and other corrupt activity are able to receive reduced sentences by using their public pension as a bargaining chip.”

Only elected or appointed officials convicted of the felonies of bribery or engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; theft in office of property or services and conspiracy, complicity, or an attempt to commit any of these offenses, at the state level now forfeit their retirement and disability benefits.

“Closing the loophole that allows felony convicted public officials to keep their taxpayer-funded public pensions or disability benefits must come to an end,” Anielski said. “Federal convictions should be treated the same as state convictions.”

This legislation will be assigned to a House committee where it will undergo consideration.

State Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel want to open Ohio’s “checkbook” for all to see.

Dovilla has introduced a bill to create “Open Ohio,” an online state-expenditure database that would be hosted by Mandel’s office.

As proposed, the database would allow searches on all spending by state agencies to retrieve information including amounts, dates and recipients.

“Ohio’s hard-working taxpayers deserve to know how their state government is spending their tax dollars,” Dovilla said in a statement.

“Shining sunlight on state spending and decisions made deep in the bureaucracy will give taxpayers the resources to help root out waste, fraud and abuse,” Mandel added.

The bill also would require the treasurer’s office to host online databases of the salaries of state employees and school district employees.

The “poster child” for what the Grindstone Award portrays.

David Purdy referenced that statement in his letter, one of many, to nominate David L. Tressel for the award.

“I’m sure you are all aware of Dave’s role for many years as a fine teacher and mentor,” Purdy wrote. “However, it’s also the little things Dave does that often make the greatest impact. He rakes leaves and shovels walks for the elderly. He drives friends and neighbors to doctors’ appointments. He helps folks with estate and garage sales, asking nothing in return. His countless acts of kindness are not always well-publicized, but are certainly heartfelt and appreciated by those close to him.”

Last week, Tressel received the honor at the annual Grindstone Award Dinner sponsored by the Berea Chamber of Commerce.

Dave was born in Mentor. The family — parents Lee and Eloise and brothers Dick and Jim — moved to Berea in 1958 when Lee became the head football coach at Baldwin Wallace College. Dave graduated from Berea High and BW. He retired from the Berea school district after teaching science, social studies and other subjects for 35 years.

He is a Berea school board member and a trustee of the district’s Education Foundation. He was Berea High’s swimming coach for three years. That activity continued when he taught summer learn-to-swim classes for the Berea Recreation Department for 45 years.

He is president of the BW Alumni Council, former president of Berea Kiwanis Club and Coe Lake Nature Trail Committee member. He also sits on the Berea Historical Society’s board.

He volunteers with Realizing Your Potential, a mentoring group for African-American Berea High male students and is involved with Kiwanis-sponsored Builder’s Club for middle school students.

He has four children, of whom three — Mark, Julie and Chris — are teachers. Lee is a strength trainer with the New York Yankees’ minor league affiliate in Scranton, Pa.

Son Chris and brother Jim presented Dave with the Grindstone Award at the dinner.

Dave said he was “very surprised” and “very, very humbled” when Jeff Dettmer, Chamber chairman, told him about his selection when he visited him at home. Dave said his parents were models for volunteerism.

“My mother did a lot of volunteering and my dad certainly gave his time to the BW students,” he said. “It was just part of our lives — serving others. And that continues today.”

Dave’s accepting the honor brought a “first” to the 46th award. It was the first time a second-generation received the Grindstone Award. His father received a Special Grindstone Award in 1980 and his mother, the award in 1983.

Berea Mayor Cyril M. Kleem, State Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-7 and Cuyahoga County Council District 5 member Mike Gallagher presented proclamations to him.

Dave said seeing all the previous winners reminded him of how “blessed I am by God” to live in Berea, a “great” community, and having supportive family and friends.

“I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose,” he said. “I am doing what I believed I have been called to do. The key is, I have become involved with some very wonderful people.”

His next focus is the swimming classes at the city’s outdoor pool.

“It is a real gift to give young children learn-to-swim lessons and teach them how to have fun safely in the water,” he said. “We have a nice group of teachers who share their talents with the young in our community.”

He also has some advice for anyone looking to extend themselves into the community.

“There are so many volunteer opportunities available. Just look to see where you are needed and don’t hesitate to get involved,” he said. “Berea is such a wonderful place to grow up, get your education, raise your family and then retire. I praise God that I can do what I do. I am really blessed.”

The Berea Chamber of Commerce and BW donated $750 each in Dave’s name to the Education Foundation.