Remember this ad placed in The Columbus Dispatch?:

Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine is standing up for taxpayers who are funding Dann’s taxpayer-funded parade activities:

Dann Uses Tax Dollars to Sponsor a Parade

GOP Chair calls on Attorney General to Reimburse the State from Political Funds

(Columbus) – Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine called on Democrat Attorney General Marc Dann to reimburse the state for tax dollars used to sponsor a parade.

“Last time I checked, hosting parades was not listed among the official duties of the attorney general,” DeWine said. “This is an outrageous abuse of tax dollars at a time when state resources are thin, and Ohio taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for Marc Dann’s political publicity. The attorney general should do the right thing and reimburse the state for this unnecessary expense.”

According to ads placed in The Columbus Dispatch, the “Red, White & Boom” parade in Columbus is co-sponsored by the office of Attorney General Marc Dann. The ad also features a political slogan and does not contain a political disclaimer, indicating the sponsorship was paid for by public funds.

Dann’s office came under media scrutiny in March when a staff member was suspended for circulating an official email asking political supporters to march in a parade. Last week, another email was distributed within the office asking employees to participate in the July 3 parade, but a spokesman described the event as “an office function.”

“They’ve already established a questionable pattern of using the office for political gain, and now they’re wasting hard-earned public tax dollars to let Marc Dann wave and throw candy at the kids. It’s over the top and sadly predictable from an elected official who promised more than he can deliver.”

In other news, I’ll probably be walking in the Red White and Boom parade, so I expect a full report with pictures and/or videos on Buckeye State Blog tomorrow evening.