>>> ABORTION MAKES THE OHIO BALLOT.

>>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

OHIO VOTERS WILL DECIDE IF THE STATE SHOULD ENSHRINE ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

SUPPORTERS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE FRANK LaROSE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THE COALITION OF ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS SUBMITTED 495,000 SIGNATURES, WELL MORE THAN THE 414,000 SIGNATURES THEY NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR THE BALLOT.

LAURA BISCHOFF, TALKING POINTS AND DEBATE ASIDE, THIS IS A HISTORIC MOMENT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, OHIO VOTERS WILL DECIDE THIS ISSUE, NOT COURTS, NOT LAWMAKERS, BUT VOTERS THEMSELVES.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO DRIVE A LOT OF VOTER INTEREST.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S VERY DEEP-SEATED OPINIONS ABOUT THIS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

AND ALREADY YOU'RE SEEING ADVERTISING KIND OF TIED TO THE ISSUE, ONE, BUT ALSO TO ABORTION.

AND I THINK THE NO SIDE ON THE ABORTION RIGHTS ISSUE IS TRYING TO DEFINE THIS AS AS AN EXTREME PROPOSAL, AND AS ANTI-PARENTS' RIGHTS.

AND SO YOU'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT HAPPENING.

AND I THINK THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE A TON OF MONEY POURING INTO OHIO.

THIS IS THE ONLY -- WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT'S GOING TO BE VOTING ON THIS ISSUE IN THE FALL.

>> DARREL, WE ARE THE SEVENTH STATE NOW SINCE THE DOBBS DECISION TO VOTE ON THIS.

IN SOME MANNER OR FASHION.

EACH STATE'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

MONTANA, KENTUCKY, KANSAS, VERMONT, CALIFORNIA, MICHIGAN VOTED.

ABORTION RIGHTS FOLKS HAVE ALL WON IN THOSE STATES IN SOME MANNER OR FORM.

WILL OHIO BUCK THAT TREND?

HOW DOES OHIO STACK UP AGAINST THAT?

>> THAT'S WHERE OHIO, YOU KNOW -- I GUESS WE'RE A RED STATE NOW.

SO BEFORE WE'D AN SWING STATE.

AND EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS ISSUE IS, YES, IT'S ABOUT ABORTION RIGHTS, BUT I'M NOT SURE EITHER SIDE WANTS TO MAKE IT ABOUT ABORTION RIGHTS.

I THINK LAURA HAD THE CORRECT TERM.

EXTREME.

IT'S ABOUT WHICH SIDE IS MORE EXTREME?

BECAUSE THE REALITY IS, ON THE ABORTION QUESTION, YOU KNOW -- PUBLIC OPINION IS KIND OF MUDDLED.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE, WE DON'T LIKE THOSE EXTREMES OF EITHER SIDE.

IT'S LIKE, MOST POLLS SHOW SOME ABORTION RIGHTS, NOT ALL THE WAY, CERTAINLY NOT ALL RESTRICTIONS.

SO SOMEPLACE IN THE MIDDLE.

MAYBE INSTEAD OF CAMPAIGNING ON THE ISSUE ITSELF, IT'S LIKE, YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ME, BUT THE OTHER PERSON, GET THEM OUT OF HERE, THEY'RE WAY OFF THE RESERVATION.

>> THE ABORTION RIGHTS COALITION COLLECTED 20% MORE THAN THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF VALID SIGNATURES.

THEY DIDN'T NEED THOSE EXTRA 10 DAYS THEY COULD HAVE HAD.

WHAT DOES THAT SHOW ABOUT ENTHUSIASM AND ORGANIZATION?

THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ONTO THE BALLOT FAIRLY EASILY?

>> THERE'S SOME DEBATE, SOME THOUGHT MAYBE THEY'D MILE, THEY CLEARLY HAD A BIG GRASSROOTS EFFORT, VOLUNTEERS AND ALSO PAID PEOPLE.

I THINK ONE OF THE TWO INTERESTING QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO BE, THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE TWO STATEWIDE ISSUES WITH MARIJUANA AND ABORTION.

BUT WHICH ONE WILL BE ISSUE ONE?

AND IN THIS ONE, THE PRO-ABORTION SIDE WANTS PEOPLE TO VOTE YES, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY'RE TELLING PEOPLE, VOTE KNOW ON ISSUE 1.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A SHIFTING OF GEARS.

THE QUESTION IS, WHICH ONE IS ISSUE ONE?

WHICH ONE IS ISSUE TWO?

I'M TOLD THE LAWYERS ARE STUDYING AND TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE THE LAW IS AT.

>> FLIP A COIN?

>> I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE BODY OF LAW IS ON WHO FILED FIRST, WHO QUALIFIED FIRST, OR -- I AGREE WITH YOU, CONSTITUTIONAL SEEMS TO BE HIGHER PRIORITY THAN STATUTORY.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON THIS DERRICK.

MY GUESS IS BY THE TIME NOVEMBER ROLLS AROUND, WHATEVER NUMBER IT IS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE VOTING ON?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT LATER IN THE SHOW, I'M SURE, ISSUE ONE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY CONFUSING IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE ONE WHERE FOLKS, YOU KNOW, I THINK ARE GOING TO VOTE DOWN IN AUGUST, THEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE ONE FOR THE ABORTION RIGHTS IN NOVEMBER.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON THIS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIALS THAT WE'LL SEE ON THE AIRWAVES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, THIS COMES DOWN TO CHOICE AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT WHETHER THEY WANT THE GOVERNMENT BASICALLY TELLING THEM HOW TO UTILIZE, THE LAST POLL WE SAW, "USA TODAY"/OHIO NETWORK, 50% OF LIKELY VOTERS SUPPORT THE RHODES START FOR ABORTION, WHICH IS WHAT THIS CALLED FOR.

BECAUSE OF THAT, DO OPPONENTS HAVE TO DO THOSE MESSAGES ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHTS AND EXTREME POSITIONS?

IS THE THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY'RE GOING TO WIN?

>> THAT'S PROBABLY THE MESSAGE, WHAT DOES THE FIRST TWO WARDS "AN INDIVIDUAL"?

DOES THAT MEAN ADULTS?

DOES THAT MEAN ALL AGES?

THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE ARGUING POINTS.

OTHER DETAILS WILL BE QUESTIONED, DEBATED.

CLEARLY, AS I PREDICTED SEVERAL MONTHS BACK, THIS FALL IS GOING TO BE A $100 MILLION WORLD WAR III.

BECAUSE, AS LAURA MENTIONED CORRECTLY, THIS IS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.

FOR PEOPLE FROM CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS, TEXAS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE SHIPPING LOTS OF MONEY INTO OHIO.

YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR CLICKER HANDY ON YOUR TV SET IN ORDER TO PUSH THE MUTE BUTTON OR CLICK AND CHANGE CHANNELS.

>> IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, WE'LL KNOW IF THE ABORTION AMENDMENT NEEDS A SIMPLE MAJORITY OR SUPERMAJORITY TO PASS.

VOTING ENDS AUGUST 8th ON ISSUE ONE, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT HARDER TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

FUTURE AMENDMENTS WOULD HAVE TO WIN WITH AT LEAST 60% OF THE VOTE.

SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS TO GET ON THE BALLOT WILL BE TOUGHER.

ALSO, EARLY VOTING HAS BEEN BRISK FOR MIDSUMMER ELECTIONS.

THE REQUEST QUESTIONS, WHO IS TURNING OUT TO VOTE?

WILL OTHERS CONTINUE TO TURN OUT THROUGH THE SPECIAL ELECTION DAY ON AUGUST 8th?

A BIT OF NEWS, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT SHOWS, SURPRISE-SURPRISE, OUT-OF-STATE MONEY IS INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN AND BOTH SIDES ARE ACCEPTING IT AND BOTH SIDES ARE DENOUNCING OUT-OF-STATE SPECIAL INTERESTS.

>> YES.

WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE OUT-OF-STATE SPECIAL INTERESTS AWAY, RIGHT?

BODY SIDES, BY MY CALCULATION -- I PROBABLY DIDN'T GET ALL THE MONEY, BUT ABOUT 85% PRO AND ANTI ISSUE FROM OUT OF STATE, $4 MILLION DONOR, BILLIONAIRE FROM ILLINOIS, FOR THE PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION.

>> THE VOTE YES SIDE WAS NOT QUITE AS DIVERSE, DID NOT HAVE QUITE AS DIVERSIFIED A FUNDING SOURCE.

>> RIGHT, LIKE 4 MILLION OF THE $4.8 MILLION THAT CAME IN FROM DICK UIHLEIN, A SHIPPING MAGNATE, MULTIBILLIONAIRE FROM ILLINOIS, THESE BEEN SUPPORTING THESE MOVING THE THRESHOLD TO 60% IN OTHER STATES AS WELL.

>> MIKE, DON'T FORGET TO DENOUNCE DARK MONEY.

BECAUSE IN THE DEBATE EARLIER THIS WEEK, BOTH SIDES WERE DENOUNCING DARK MONEY WHERE YOU'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF HYPOCRISY ON BOTH SIDES WITH THE MONEY.

AND FINALLY, WE DO KNOW A LITTLE MORE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

>> THE NO SIDE IS RAISING MORE MONEY, OUTSPENDING THE YES SIDE 10-1.

>> RIGHT.

>> WILL THAT CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?

WILL THE YES SIDE START TO CATCH UP?

>> I THINK THAT THE NO SIDE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUT THEIR MESSAGE OUT AND THE MONEY WILL STILL BE FLOWING.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A SPECIAL ELECTION IN AUGUST, WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE OF THOSE IN OHIO SINCE 1926.

A STATEWIDE AUGUST ELECTION.

AND NEARLY 60% OF THE PEOPLE OPPOSE ISSUE ONE.

SO RIGHT NOW THE NO VOTE HAS THE MOMENTUM.

AND I THINK THAT -- I THINK IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN BIG.

>> THE YES VOTE, DARREL SAYS THAT THEY ARE RELYING ON A HIDDEN MAJORITY, GRASSROOTS EFFORTS.

DO WE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS GRASSROOTS EFFORT?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHERE, FIRST OF ALL -- I MEAN, DERRICK'S CITING RESULTS OF ONE POLL.

A FEW HOURS BEFORE COMING ON THE AIR, THERE WAS ANOTHER POLL OUT THAT SHOWED THINGS VERY CLOSE.

IT'S AN ONLINE POLL.

I FRANKLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RELIABILITY.

BUT THAT'S ALL WE NEED IS A LITTLE MORE CONFUSION.

HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY KNOW WHAT ISSUE ONE WILL AND WILL NOT BE DO?

BUT YEAH, I THINK FOR THE VOTE YES FOLKS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS STAUNCHLY BEHIND THEM.

BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR THE MOST PART.

THAT TURNOUT MACHINE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD YEAR AFTER YEAR, IF THEY CAN TRULY MOBILIZE THAT IN THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, YOU KNOW, THAT'S FORMIDABLE.

THE OTHER OUTREACH MAKING IS TO CHURCHES.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.

CONSERVATIVE CHURCHES, IF YOU WILL.

THAT'S KIND OF A WILD CARD.

AGAIN, IF YOU CAN MOBILIZE THOSE FOLKS IN MID TO LATE SUMMER, THAT COULD BE A STRONG FACTOR.

AND AGAIN, IT'S CONFUSING BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN ADS SUPPOSEDLY ON ISSUE ONE BUT IT'S AN AD ON ABORTION.

THEY'RE CONFLATING, ROLLING THEM TOGETHER.

IT'S LIKE, OKAY, HOW DOES THAT SHAKE OUT?

>> I THINK ABORTION MAKING THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER IS GOING TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THE GRASSROOTS ANTI-ABORTION VOTERS TO TURN OUT FOR THE AUGUST 8th ELECTION.

AND I THINK THAT WE MAY SEE THAT AT THE VERY TAIL END OF THIS CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN BIG.

I DON'T HAVE THAT CONFIDENCE THAT DERRICK HAS.

I THINK IT COULD BE VERY CLOSE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> IF -- LET'S TALK ABOUT PLAN "B."

IF THIS PASSES AND IS STILL -- IF IT FAILS AND WE STILL NEED A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IS THERE A PLAN "B"?

THERE'S TALK OF THE STATE LAWMAKERS PASSING ABORTION RESTRICTION LAW BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER TO TRY TO MAYBE SOFTEN THE BLOW A BIT?

>> SO I ASKED GOVERNOR DeWINE ABOUT THAT AT THE OPENING OF THE HE DECLINED TO -- HE SAID THAT'S MANY ACCIDENTS DOWN THE ROAD, I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW.

BUT HE DIDN'T SAY NO.

>> BUT THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9th.

IF THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT DIFFERENT.

THE REALITY IS THE ANTI-ABORTION PEOPLE CAN'T AGREE ON WHAT THE MORE REASONABLE OR MIDDLE OF THE ROAD LANGUAGE MIGHT BE.

THEY MIGHT TRY SOMETHING IN MAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

ONE OF THE POINTS OUT OF BOTH POLLING IS THE REPUBLICAN BASE IS NOT AS SOLIDIFIED ON THIS ISSUE.

AND I HAD A CONSERVATIVE STATE REP FROM A RURAL AREA TELL ME TODAY, HE WENT TO A THE HOUSE OF A GUY, VERY CONSERVATIVE, TRUMP SIGNS, AND HE WAS MAD AS HELL ABOUT ISSUE ONE.

HE KNEW THE DETAILS OF THE AUGUST SPECIAL.

SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOT AS GALVANIZED AS THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOW.

CAN THEY CATCH UP?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE BURIED IN THIS THING.

RIGHT NOW, IF YOU WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT, YOU ONLY NEED SIGNATURES FROM 44 COUNTIES.

IF THIS PASSES, YOU'LL HAVE TO HAVE ALL 88 COUNTIES.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE LEGISLATURE STILL, IF THIS PASSES, THE LEGISLATURE CAN STILL PASS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AT 50 PLUS 1.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE 60% THRESHOLD.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO AMONGST PEOPLE.

>> IT'S ALREADY REALLY HARD TO GET ON THE BALLOT AS A CITIZEN-INITIATED STATUTE OR CITIZEN-INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT'S EXTRAORDINARY, THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES YOU'VE GOT TO GET FROM A BROAD SECTION OF OHIO.

THIS IS GOING TO MAKE IT WAY HARDER.

>> SO TO CLARIFY, IF LAWMAKERS PUT AN AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT, IT STILL NEEDS 60% UNDER THIS PROPOSAL?

>> I THINK IT'S 60%.

>> INSTEAD OF SIGNATURES -- >> THEY CONTINUE NEED THE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT.

>> I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE DONE THIS.

PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE.

KATHERINE TURCER ON THE LEFT.

TERM LIMITS TO OHIO, ABOUT AS CONSERVATIVE AS YOU WANT, ABOUT AS PRO-LIFE AS YOU'D WANT.

HE HATES ISSUE ONE.

JUST ON PRINCIPLE.

HE'S DEPARTING FROM HIS FELLOW CONSERVATIVES.

BOTH SAY THAT THIS IS THE REAL POTENT PART OF THIS ISSUE, THAT IF ISSUE ONE PASSES WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON IN NOVEMBER MAY WELL BE THE LAST STATEWIDE INITIATIVE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME IN THIS STATE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IF ISSUE ONE PASSES AND THE ABORTION AMENDMENT IS STILL ON THE BALLOT?

DOES THAT SCARE AWAY NATIONAL MONEY?

BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO NEED 60%, THEY DON'T THINK THEY CAN GET IT?

DOES IT GALVANIZE?

WE'RE SPECULATING HERE.

IT'S A REAL POSSIBILITY.

>> A LOT OF THE OUT-OF-STATE PEOPLE, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DRUG ISSUE IN '17, THEY'VE DISCOVERED OHIO IS NOTES A EASY A MARK AND IT'S AN EXPENSIVE STATE TO CAMPAIGN IN.

AS LAURA MENTIONED, OHIO HADN'T HAD AS MANY OF THESE AS, SAY, CALIFORNIA.

THE QUESTION IS, IS IT THAT MUCH OF A PROBLEM, A STOP FOR THE FUTURE, OR IS OHIO ALREADY TOUGH ENOUGH?

>> THE POLLS SHOW THERE'S 58% SUPPORT FOR THE ABORTION ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE QUESTION IS IF ISSUE ONE BECOMES PART OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND WE NEED 60%, THE QUESTION IS, DO THEY FIGHT TO GET THAT EXTRA 2%, 3%?

TO SHOVE IT OVER?

I THINK THAT BOTH SIDES WOULD, AGAIN, BLAST THE MONEY OUT THERE AND FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THAT.

>> IF THAT SCENARIO WOULD TO HAPPEN, THAT WOULD BITE THE OPPONENTS OF ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE BEHIND BECAUSE THEY'D NEED 60% TO CHANGE IT BACK IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

WE SHALL SEE.

>>> WITH LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, IT FELL ABOUT 700 SIGNATURES SHORT OF THE 124,000 IT NEEDS TO GET ON THE BALLOT, BUT THERE'S STILL A GOOD CHANCE SUPPORTERS OF CANNABIS FOR FUN WILL MAKE THE BALLOT.

THEY HAVE UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY TO FIND THOSE ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES.

LEADERS WITH THE SO-CALLED COALITION TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL SAY THEY WILL COLLECT THOSE SIGNATURES, AND THEY EXPECT TO COLLECT A LOT MORE.

700 SIGNATURES.

THAT IS DOABLE IN THAT 10-DAY PERIOD?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

>> DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE -- >> I DO BELIEVE THEY'LL MAKE THE BALLOT.

700 SIGNATURES, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT WITHIN THE 10-DAY PERIOD.

>> THEY'RE CAMPING OUT AT EARLY VOTING SITES.

ALL THE REGISTERED VOTERS ARE COMING TO THEM.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HARD.

IT SHOULD BE HIGH, YES.

>> IF NOT, THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT RIGHT ON COLLECTING JUST TO GIVE THAT CUSHION.

>> THINGS OF THAT CHANGED.

UNDER THE NEW LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T START THE CURE PERIOD UNTIL THEY'VE DONE CHECKING AND THEY OFFICIALLY SAY -- >> OH, RIGHT -- OKAY.

>> THAT WAS A LAW CHANGE.

NOW THEY'VE GOT TO OPERATE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, YEAH.

>> I HATE TO JUMP AROUND ON ISSUES, BUT IF ISSUE ONE ACTUALLY PASSES, THAT CURE PERIOD GOES AWAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FOLKS DON'T KNOW ABOUT EITHER.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> RIGHT.

>>> GETTING TO THE SIGNATURE.

THEY ONLY NEEDED 124,000 TO GET ON THE BALLOT THIS TIME AND THEY'RE STILL SHORT.

DOES THAT SHOW YOU ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR ORGANIZATION AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS ISSUE?

>> THEIR ORGANIZATION OBVIOUSLY IS NOT GOING TO BE AS ORGANIZED AS THE ABORTION RIGHTS FOLKS.

BUT THIS IS A VERY, VERY POPULAR ITEM THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON THE BALLOT.

THERE'S 23 OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA AROUND THE COUNTRY IF OHIO PASSES IT, WE WOULD BE THE 24th.

BUT, YOU KNOW -- THEY WILL GET THE SIGNATURES THEY NEED TO MAKE THE BALLOT.

>> WITH AN INITIATED STATUTE, MEANS IT GOES INTO LAW, NOT INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

SO THAT GIVES THE LAWMAKERS THE ABILITY TO TWEAK IT OR CHANGE IT.

>> OR THROW IT OUT.

>> TOSS IT OUT, THE VERY NEXT DAY, REALLY.

THAT'S THE DOWNSIDE OF THIS PROCESS.

I DON'T THINK THE LAWMAKERS WOULD COMPLETELY UNDO THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY DON'T PUT IN A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO TRY TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF IT.

>> IT WASN'T A SHORT COME ORGANIZATIONALLY, IT'S JUST THE FACT THIS ISSUE DIDN'T ALLOW A MONOPOLY FOR LANDOWNERS TO GROW MARIJUANA THE WAY A PREVIOUS ONE DID.

SO IT WAS HARD TO ROUND UP THE MONEY TO BUY THE SIGNATURES AND DO ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

>> WHO'S DRIVING THIS?

AVERAGE FOLKS WHO JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SMOKE MARIJUANA OR EAT A GUMMY ON A WEEKEND?

OR IS IT THE FOLKS WHO ARE GROWING THE MARIJUANA AND SELLING THE MARIJUANA WHO ARE DRIVING THIS?

>> YES.

YEAH, I THINK IT'S BOTH.

THERE SHOULD BE DISTINCTION MADE, AS TERRY MENTIONED.

THE 2015 AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS JUST CRUSHED AT THE POLLS, WOULD HAVE GIVEN MONOPOLY RIGHTS JUST TO CERTAIN GROWERS.

SOME OF THE CAMPAIGNERS WOULD HAVE PERSONALLY PROFITED IF THE ISSUE PASSED.

IT GOT REALLY MUDDY.

THIS SEEMS TO BE CLEANER.

IT'S JUST OLD-FASHIONED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

YOU GIVE YOUR MONEY, YOU EXPECT A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR TO COME YOUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD.

>> YEAH.

I BELIEVE YOU CAN GROW AT HOME UNDER THIS, TOO.

>> YEAH, YOU'D BE ABLE TO HAVE I THINK UP TO SIX PLANTS PER INDIVIDUAL, 12 PER HOUSEHOLD.

>> THE LEGISLATURE'S GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH ISSUES, CAN EMPLOYERS DO DRUG CHECKS ON PEOPLE?

YOU RUN A MACHINE SHOP, SOMEONE'S HIGH ON MARIJUANA, THEY INJURE YOURSELF, THEY SUE YOU, IT'S YOUR FAULT BECAUSE YOU HIRED ME AND LET ME WORK UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES HERE.

MIGHT HAVE TO EXPAND THE SHOW TO AN HOUR BECAUSE WE'VE GOT BOTH THESE ISSUES AND ALL THE COMMERCIALS AND DEBATING WHO'S RIGHT AND WRONG.

WE'LL NEED MORE TIME.

>> SETTLE THE CURE ISSUE.

LET'S ASSUME THESE ARE BOTH ON THE BALLOT, THE MARIJUANA ISSUE AND ABORTION ISSUE.

IT'S AN ODD NUMBER YEAR.

THESE YEARS ARE USUALLY RESERVED FOR MAYORAL ELECTIONS, CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MAYBE A SCHOOL LEVY.

HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THIS ELECTION?

WHO TURNS OUT?

IS IT STILL MAYBE A 20, 30% TURNOUT FOR THESE?

>> NO, I THINK YOU'LL SEE MUCH HIGHER TURNOUT.

THESE ARE VERY POPULAR ISSUES.

THESE ARE ONES THAT PEOPLE REALLY CARE BA AND THEY'RE NOT NUANCED.

>> ANY CHANCE THAT ONE OF THESE ISSUES PASSES AND ONE OF THEM FAILS?

THEY PASS MARIJUANA, REJECT ABORTION, OR VICE VERSA?

OR ARE THE ALLIES FOR AND OPPOSING THESE THE SAME?

>> CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WOULD SAY YES.

POT SMOKERS SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS.

I CAN SPEAK TO THE MARJ ISSUE.

I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO PASS IF IT MAKES THE BALLOT.

THE ABORTION RIGHTS ISSUE, THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY CLOSE.

I THINK THAT YOU HAVE THE VERY POLARIZING ON EITHER SIDE.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TON OF MONEY AND A STOON OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS CAMPAIGNING.

>> "USA TODAY"/OHIO POLL DONE IN JULY, IT WAS STRIKING.

58% OPPOSE ISSUE ONE.

58% SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS.

58% SUPPORT THE MARIJUANA.

>> YEAH, IT WAS THE SAME 58% ACROSS ALL THREE.

>> WITHIN HALF A POINT.

IT WAS STRIKING TO SEE HOW THEY LINED UP.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT IT'S INDICATIVE THAT THESE ARE CLEAR-CUT ISSUES FOR 58% OF THE POPULATION.

BUT I DO THINK DEREK'S RIGHT.

I THINK THAT ONCE THE ABORTION ISSUE GETS INTO THE WEEDS OF THE CAMPAIGN, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FIGHTING AND IT'S GOING TO NARROW.

>> THE QUESTION IS, WHAT LITTLE NUANCES CAN THEY FIND IN THE BILLS TO GO AFTER?

AND THEN WHO PUTS HOW MUCH MONEY IN THERE?

BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT START OUT HIGH, SOUNDING GOOD AND APPROVING.

THEN END UP FAILING BECAUSE A LOT OF OHIO VOTERS, WHEN IN DOUBT, VOTE NO.

>>> LAST TOPIC, FOR YEARS THE CITY OF COLUMBUS CONTINUED TO GRANT TAX ABASEMENTS FOR THE SHORT NORTH EVEN THOUGH NEIGHBORHOOD WAS THRIVING.

CITY COUNCIL CHIPPED IN MORE MONEY FOR ANOTHER SHORT NORTH DEVELOPMENT.

$31 MILLION TO HELP DEVELOPERS BUILDING THE 32-STORY MERCHANT TOWER TO EXPAND THE NORTH MARKETS, BUILD A PARKING GARAGE, AND MOVE BODIES BURIED ON THE SITE WHICH WAS AN OLD GRAVEYARD.

THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TOTALS $54 MILLION.

FRANKLIN COUNTY IS SET TO TRIBUTE $40 MILLION.

TERRY CASEY, THAT'S $100 MILLION FOR LUXURY OFFICE SPACE, LUXURY APARTMENTS, IN THE SHORT NORTH.

>> THEY ARE SUBSIDIING APARTMENTS AT A SUPPOSEDLY LOWER RATE.

STILL, $100 MILLION IS NOT AS BIG AS THE NEARLY $200 MILLION PUT IN DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY INTO CREW STADIUM.

STILL, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO WONDER, WHEN WE'RE SHORT ON POLICE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE IN THE GROWTH, WHY ARE WE PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY INTO SUBSIDIZING RICH DEVELOPERS DOWNTOWN AND LUXURY APARTMENTS?

>> DERRICK, THEY HAD SORT OF CUT BACK ON ABATEMENTS, TRYING TO SPREAD THEM AROUND.

THIS RAISED EYEBROWS.

>> WELL, WE'RE A GROWING CITY.

I MEAN, WE'RE THE FASTEST-GROWING CITY IN THE MIDWEST.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WASTING MONEY, WE'RE WASTING MONEY ON AN AUGUST ELECTION.

WE'RE SPENDING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THAT.

BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY, AND WHEN YOU SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, IT'S GOING TO SPUR OTHER ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHIN DOWNTOWN.

SO I THINK IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.

>> THIS PROJECT WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THIS $100 MILLION?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN, BUT IT DEFINITELY HELPS THAT THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT FOR A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT THAT'S REALLY GOING TO TRANSFORM DOWNTOWN.

>> THE PROBLEM IS, WHO MAKES UP THE DIFFERENCE?

WHEN YOU GIVE AWAY TAX ABATEMENTS, LIKE FOR A COCA-COLA WAREHOUSE, 75% ABATEMENT FOR TEN YEARS, GETTING 12 JOBS, WHAT'S THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT?

AND ANY TIME YOU REDUCE DEVELOPERS' TAX PAYMENTS, THAT MEANS THE CITIZENS HAVE TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE TO FUND THE SCHOOLS AND DIFFERENT SERVICES LIKE LIBRARIES AND PARKS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IN THAT CASE, THE CITY WAS AFRAID 300-ODD JOBS WOULD LEAVE.

>> DEVELOPERS ONLY DO THAT FALSE FLAG OF, GIVE US THE MONEY OR ELSE.

>> TO THE GRAVEYARD, DARREL?

I MEAN, WE KNEW IT WAS THERE.

IT'S BEEN DUG UP A FEW TIMES ALREADY.

>> I KNOW.

>> BUT THEY SAY NOW THEY'VE FOUND MANY MORE BODIES THAN THEY EXPECTED.

SHOULDN'T THE CITY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOVING THOSE FOLKS?

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT?

>> OR SHOULD IT BE THE DEVELOPER?

>> YEAH.

>> DIDN'T WE RUN INTO SOMETHING SIMILAR, UPPER ARLINGTON, THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL WITH SOME REMAINS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE?

DOWN BY THE NORTH -- YEAH, IT'S LIKE -- YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING, YOU START DIGGING IN THE GROUND, WHAT'S DOWN THERE.

IT'S A CONUNDRUM.

DERRICK IS RIGHT ON.

WE'RE GROWING, THINGS ARE POPPING UP, WE'RE DIGGING HOLES EV ARE EVERYWHERE, WHICH MEANS GEE, WHO KNEW?

>> $100 MILLION IS REAL MONEY.

$100 MILLION IS A GARGANTUAN AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> I AGREE, YOU COULD SPEND -- THAT COULD GO A LONG WAY ON REALLY DEEP-SEATED PROBLEMS IN THE CITY, LIKE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YET IT'S GOING FOR MORE LUXURY.

>> YEAH.

AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN 31 STORIES, RIGHT?

30 STORIES?

LOP OFF A COUPLE OF FLOORS, SAVE A LITTLE MONEY?

>> WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING, WE RAN INTO PROBLEMS.

THEY CALL IT VALUE ENGINEERING.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT NOW.

ANYWAY, WHEN YOU HAVE TO CUT COSTS.

>>> "OFF THE RECORD."

FINAL "OFF THE RECORD" PARTING SPOTS, DERRICK CLAY?

>> COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL IS REASSESSING IN AUGUST.

THEY'LL TAKE A LONG-DESERVED BREAK.

IN NOVEMBER, WE'LL HAVE THREE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THREE BRAND-NEW CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AS THE STRUCTURE OF CITY COUNCIL HAS CHANGED.

>> WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9th, PEOPLE WILL ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT CAMPAIGN MALPRACTICE ABOUT ISSUE ONE.

HOPEFULLY ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, DEPENDS WHO WINS OR LOSES, NEED TO ASK QUESTIONS, WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THIS ELECTION THAT MIGHT APPLY TO THE NOVEMBER ISSUES?

>> AND WHAT WE'LL REMEMBER TWO LEAKS DOWN THE ROAD.

DARREL?

>> I JUST SAY, VOTERS, CUT THROUGH ALL THE CRAP GOING ON, DISINFORMATION IN THE COMMERCIALS AND ALL THAT ABOUT WHAT ISSUE ONE REALLY DOES AND DOESN'T DO.

IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN WORSE IN THE FALL ON ABORTION.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

YOU'RE A CITIZEN, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

>> I JUST ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TUNE IN TO OUR PODCAST, "OHIO POLITICS EXPLAINED" ON MONDAY.

WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD SPECIAL GUEST HAVING TO DO WITH THE HOUSE BILL 6 INVESTIGATION.

>> YOU CAN'T SAY WHO?

>> TUNE IN.

>> DO YOU TUNE IN TO PODCASTS?

>> DIAL IN.

>> DIAL IN, DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL.

MY "OFF THE RECORD" COMMENT, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE IT'S JUST ME.

YOU KNOW, 300 YEARS AFTER I'M GONE AND SOMEBODY WANTS TO BUILD A CONDO ON TOP OF WHERE I'M BURIED, YOU KNOW?

MY LOVED ONES ARE LONG GONE.

I'M GOOD.

DON'T BOTHER DIGGING ME UP AND MOVING ME SOMEPLACE ELSE.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

WATCH US AT WOSU.ORG/COTR OR THROUGH THE PBS VIDEO APP.

WE'RE ON FACEBOOK, I BELIEVE WE'RE ON INSTAGRAM.

I SHAN'T TWITTER, I SHAN'T X.

WE HAVEN'T YET JUMPED ON TO THREADS.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HERE HAS JUMPED ON TO THREADS YET?

>> I'M ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FOR OUR CREW AND FOR OUR PANEL, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.