Republican Lawmaker Known for Arts Advocacy
Stanley J. Aronoff, a prominent Republican with almost four decades in the Ohio Legislature, has passed away at the age of 91. Aronoff, renowned for his exceptional negotiation skills, will always be remembered for his unwavering commitment to championing public funding for the arts.
A Legacy in the Arts
A testament to Aronoff’s dedication to the arts is the downtown Columbus skyscraper, which proudly hosts an art gallery and two theaters. This legacy is a result of his tireless efforts to ensure that the arts are given the recognition they deserve.
A Skillful Negotiator
The Cincinnati-born lawyer, who was educated at Harvard, earned the reputation of being an astute negotiator, particularly when representing Republican interests amid a Democrat-controlled legislature and governor’s office. Aronoff’s influential legislation supporting public funding for the arts still endures today.
Unforgettable Deals
One remarkable display of Aronoff’s negotiation skills involved a 1992 campaign finance bill. With Democratic House Speaker Vern Riffe attempting to impose limits on individual campaign donations, Aronoff effectively delayed the bill in the Republican-dominated Senate. Ultimately, the House compromised by also including restrictions on contributions from labor unions, a significant source of funding for Democrats.
“Stanley Aronoff was the carrot to Vern Riffe’s stick,” observed Brian Perera, a former Senate finance director.
Enduring Scandal and Ethical Lessons
Aronoff and Riffe, the last influential legislative leaders in Ohio prior to term limits, both faced an ethics scandal in 1995. They were found to have accepted fees from multiple sources for speaking at the same event, thereby circumventing the $500 fee limit. Aronoff, in particular, pleaded no contest to accepting $4,500 in fees from organizations connected to Ohio-based retailer The Limited. As part of his community service sentence, he was required to lecture student groups on ethics in government.
A Life Beyond Politics
With term limits approaching, Aronoff decided not to seek re-election in 1996. He went on to establish the law firm Aronoff, Rosen & Hunt and later worked as an attorney at Strategic Health Care, a consulting firm.
Remembered for Statehouse Restoration and More
Governor Mike DeWine, who served alongside Aronoff in the state Senate, acknowledged his tremendous contributions, including his role in the restoration of the Ohio Statehouse. DeWine stated, “Stan was a driving force behind the restoration of the Ohio Statehouse, making sure that there was adequate funding and long-term vision to bring the Statehouse complex, including the Senate Annex, back to its original Greek-revival style with the functionality for use in the modern era.”
A Patron of the Arts
Beyond his political achievements, Aronoff was a true lover of music, theater, and fine arts. He spearheaded Ohio’s Percent for Art law, which went into effect in 1990. This law mandates that all new and renovated public buildings costing over $4 million dedicate 1 percent of their budget to acquiring, commissioning, or installing works of art. As a result of Aronoff’s dedication, the downtown Cincinnati arts center and the University of Cincinnati campus both bear his name, along with the biological sciences lab at Ohio State.
“There’s a reason the Riffe building is the Riffe Center for Government and the Arts,” Perera emphasized.
The passing of Stanley J. Aronoff leaves a profound void in the Ohio Legislature and the state’s arts community. His remarkable legacy as a skilled negotiator and staunch advocate for the arts will continue to inspire future generations.
