>> SHUTTING THEM OUT, PARTICULARLY THE LATEST MASK MANDATE CAME OUT WHEN THE DELTA VARIANT WAS RAGING IN SEPTEMBER.

PEOPLE PUT THE MASKS ON.

NOW I THINK IT'S GETTING TIRED -- PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED OF IT AGAIN.

>>> COVID CASES CREEP UP, AND THE MERITS OF FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>>> "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

JO INGLES, STATEHOUSE CORRESPONDENT FOR OHIO PUBLIC RADIO.

MIKE GONIDAKIS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

SAM GRESHAM OF COMMON CAUSE OHIO.

AFTER WEEKS OF SLOW BUT STEADY DECLINES, COVID CASES IN OHIO ARE CREEPING UP ONCE AGAIN.

WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GATHERING MORE INSIDE OR THEY'RE GETTING TIRED OF WEARING MASKS, OHIO HAS SEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN NEW COVID CASES THIS WEEK.

NEW DAILY CASES APPROACHED 5,000 AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE RISEN.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO MONTHS, THE STATE'S COVID SPREAD RATE PER 100,000 PEOPLE HAS INCREASED.

THE NEWS COMES AS YOUNGER CHILDREN START GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

JO, WHAT'S THE CONCERN LEVEL OF STATE OFFICIALS WITH REGARD TO THIS LATEST, HOPEFULLY TEMPORARY, UPTICK IN CASES?

IT'S AN UPTICK NONETHELESS.

>> STATE LEADERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT, MIKE.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE UNDER 60% OF OUR POPULATION VACCINATED AT THIS POINT.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, WE HAVE THE ISSUE OF PEOPLE GOING BACK INSIDE BECAUSE IT'S GETTING COLDER OUTSIDE.

SO THEY'RE GOING INSIDE, AND PEOPLE ARE JUST TIRED OF WEARING MASKS.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

WE ARE SEEING, ESPECIALLY THAT 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLD GROUP, WE'RE SEEING THEM GET VACCINATED.

34,000 KIDS IN THE PAST WEEK GOT VACCINATED.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS IN THAT AGE GROUP.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT ALL OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD COME ABOUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERING FOR THE HOLIDAYS, THE COVID RATE COULD GO HIGH.

THAT'S WHAT STATE OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

>> SAM GRESHAM, WE'RE SEEING -- GOING TO THE STORE, GOING OUT, I'M SEEING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE SHEDDING THE MASKS.

THE LATEST MASK MANDATE CAME OUT WHEN DELTA WAS RAGING IN SEPTEMBER, PEOPLE PUT THE MASKS ON.

NOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED OF IT AGAIN.

YOU SEE THAT?

>> YES, I DO.

I ALSO THINK IT'S DISRESPECTFUL AND CRAZY.

IT'S DISRESPECTFUL TO US WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CATCHING COVID, AND SOME OF US HAVE OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS THAT ARE COMPROMISED.

SO IT'S NOT A NICE THING, AND IT'S NOT A POLITICAL THING.

THE IGNORANCE THAT GOES WITH THAT, AS IF THEY CANNOT GET THE COVID, IS SHOWING UP ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING NOW IN THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE VACCINATIONS AND DON'T WEAR MASKS, AND THEY'RE DEAD.

IT'S NOT A POLITICAL THING.

IT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

>> MIKE GONIDAKIS, YOU'VE YOUR PARTY HAS OPPOSED MANDATES ON MASKS, SAYING IT SHOULD BE A PERSON'S CHOICE.

YOU HAVE SUPPORTED VACCINES AND MASK-WEARING WHERE APPROPRIATE.

IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT FOR GOVERNMENT TO DO?

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS NOT GOING TO DO MORE ABOUT IT?

>> I DON'T THINK THE ADMINISTRATION CAN OR WILL DO ANYTHING.

WE HAVE A NEW LAW IN OHIO THAT LIMITS THE GOVERNOR OF WHAT HE CAN DO.

BUT AS I'VE SAID, RESPECTFULLY, COVID IS HERE TO STAY.

SOME ARE GOING TO GET IT.

SOME ARE GOING TO DIE FROM IT.

THOSE WHO GOT THE SHOT, WANT THE SHOT, RECEIVED IT.

THOSE WHO DON'T, WANT.

IT WAS CIRCULATED, PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAW THE BIGGEST SPIKE IN COVID CASES?

IN PERSPECTIVE, 67 NEW CASES LAST WEEK.

36,000 KIDS GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THAT'S .0001%.

CHECK MY MATH, BUT I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

SO LOOK, THERE'S GOING TO BE 100,000 PEOPLE AT OHIO STATE THIS WEEKEND, THE BUCKEYES.

I WAS AT THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND CONCERT LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, NO MASKS.

THEY DIDN'T CHECK THE VACCINE CARDS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING ON THE APP, ON THE PHONE.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED?

EVERYONE IS.

REGARDLESS IF YOU'RE DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, OR NOT.

>> THE STATE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY'RE BASICALLY STILL URGING FOLKS TO GET THE VACCINE AND WEAR MASKS, BUT NO MORE HINTS OF MANDATED OTHER THAN THE SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY STILL GOING ON?

>> YEAH, THE SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY, THEN SOME OF THE DIFFERENT VENUES FOR THE LITTLE KIDS, THEY'RE GIVING THEM LITTLE THINGS TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

FOR EXAMPLE IN CINCINNATI, THEY'RE GIVING HERO CAPES TO WEAR WHEN THEY COME IN AND GET THEIR SHOTS.

THERE ARE LITTLE THINGS.

SOME BUSINESSES, AND I BELIEVE THE STATE OF OHIO IS STILL GIVING MONEY TO SOME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE GETTING THEIR SHOTS.

AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MANDATED FOR SOME PEOPLE.

SO SOME PEOPLE NEED TO GET THEIR SHOTS TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.

BUT AS FAR AS SOME SORT OF STATEWIDE MANDATE THAT COVERS EVERYONE, A BIG ENCOMPASSING, THAT'S UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN.

>> MIKE GONIDAKIS, YOU MENTIONED CINCINNATI SCHOOLS.

OTHER NUMBERS, 223 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE GOTTEN THE COVID VACCINE.

THERE HAVE BEEN 9,500 DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S A DEATH RATE OF THREE-ONE THOUSANDTH OF A PERCENT.

PEOPLE SAYING, VACCINES ARE DANGEROUS, WE SHOULDN'T TRUST IT.

HOW DO YOU GET THE MESSAGE OUT THAT THE VACCINE IS PROVEN AND SAFE?

>> I AGREE WITH YOU, MIKE.

ABSOLUTELY.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, A SENIOR, A NURSING HOME, WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE, COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM AS WE HEARD EARLIER, WHATEVER THAT IS, YOU SHOULD GET IT, THE VACCINE WORKS.

MY HESITATION IS GOVERNMENT MANDATING IT, A MANDATE.

>> SAM GRESHAM, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO MANDATE COMPANIES WITH 100 EMPLOYEES OR MORE.

DO YOU SEE THAT HAVING ANY EFFECT, DO YOU SEE THAT MANDATE GOING FORWARD?

>> YES, I DO.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS WITH GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S APPROACH TO SCHOOLS, THE COURTS REJECT THAT.

THE SCHOOLS -- THE COURTS WILL CONTINUE TO REJECT -- THERE'S NO LOGICAL REASON.

ANY GOVERNMENT COULD GIVE FOR WHY THEY DON'T WANT VACCINATIONS AND WHY THEY DON'T WANT MASKS TO PREVENT DEATH.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.

AND THEY CAN MANDATE THOSE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR CHILD VACCINATED IN A FEW MONTHS FOR COVID AND THEY'RE WITHIN THE AGE RANGE, THE SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE TO LET YOU IN.

YOUR KIDS CAN GO BACK HOME AND DO HOMESCHOOLING IF THAT'S A -- BUT MORE SENSIBLY AND UNDERSTANDING, A SENSE OF COOPERATION.

EVERY DAY YOU GET TO YOUR CAR, YOU GO TO A RED LIGHT, YOU STOP.

THERE'S NOT A POLICE OFFICER A THOUSAND MILES AROUND YOU.

THE REASON YOU DO THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE COOPERATING AS A MEMBER OF A PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY.

I STOP AT THE RED LIGHT.

I WAIT TO GO ACROSS THE STREET.

TO GET A VACCINATION SHOT, WEARING A MASK, IS JUST LIKE THAT.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MY SITUATION IS, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DEALING WITH.

IF YOU WALK UP ON ME AND GIVE ME THE VIRUS, THAT'S NOT FAIR, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

I'M TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CIVILLY SUE SOMEBODY IF I FIND OUT THEY'VE DONE THAT TO ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS GETS THE VIRUS.

>> THE PUBLIC HAD ITS FIRST CENTER ON THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PROCESS THIS WEEK.

LAWMAKERS HAVE OPPOSED THE MAP.

CREATE 15 CONTRADICT DISTRICTS, EXPERTS SAY SOME OF THE DISTRICTS ARE MORE COMPETITIVE THAN THE CURRENT MAP, WHICH DOESN'T SAY A LOT.

REPUBLICANS HAVE CLEAR ADVANTAGE THEY SAY IN 13 OF THEIR 15 PROPOSED DISTRICTS.

DEMOCRATS HATCH THEIR OWN MAPS OUT THERE AND THEY HOLD OUT HOPE FOR COMPROMISE.

THE DEADLINE TO APPROVE THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS IS NOVEMBER 30th.

SAM GRESHAM, YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS THROUGH COMMON CAUSE.

IS THERE A CHANCE FOR COMPROMISE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I WENT TO HEARINGS THIS MORNING AND I TESTIFIED.

THERE'S NO GROUNDS FOR COMPROMISE OR NOT.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE AN AIR OF ARROGANCE THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

THE REPUBLICANS TOTALLY DISMISS THE COMMUNITY IN ITS VIEW ON WHAT IT REQUESTS.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU, 71% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF OHIO ON THE FIRST VOTE SUPPORTED THIS.

AND 75% ON THE SECOND VOTE.

YOU SHOULD COME DOWN THERE AND LISTEN TO THE WAY THEY TREAT PEOPLE, HOW THEY DISMISS PEOPLE, HOW THEY HURT PEOPLE'S FEELINGS, HOW THEY PLAY WITH NUMBERS AROUND THE EDGES WITH THIS.

AND THE FINAL THING, LET ME SAY THIS.

THEY WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT I MEAN.

THEY'RE IN A GROUNDHOG PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL RECYCLE EVERY 36 MONTHS UNTIL WE GET WHAT WE WANT.

NOW, THERE ARE TWO MAPS.

A FOUR-YEAR MAP, A SIX-YEAR MAP.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER, THAT FOUR-YEAR MAP IS ON THE RE-ELECTION PERIOD.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT TO HIGHLIGHT THE INCOMPETENCE, THE ARROGANCE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING IT.

NOW I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO GET A FRIEND IN THE OHIO SUPREME COURT.

AND I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PRESCRIBE MORE THAN WHAT THE REPUBLICANS THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET.

>> TO THAT POINT, THE VOTE FOR THE PACKAGE, THE LAWMAKERS SAID THE STATE BROUGHT IN A MAP -- BUT LAWMAKERS DON'T SEEM TO BE TOO CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUE OF REDISTRICTING AS AN ELECTORAL ISSUE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I THINK THEY ARE -- I'M SORRY.

>> MIKE?

HAVE WE LOST MIKE GONIDAKIS?

IN THE STATEHOUSE, LAWMAKERS DO NOT GIVE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THESE ISSUES?

>> LAWMAKERS DON'T APPEAR TO BE AFRAID OF LOSING VOTES, ESPECIALLY THE MAJORITY OF LAWMAKERS, THEY SAY THEY'RE DOING EXACTLY WHAT VOTERS WANTED.

BUT IF YOU LOOK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SHOWING UP DEBATING, THAT SAM WAS TALKING ABOUT, IT IS CLEAR FROM THE MAJORITY OF THOSE FOLKS THAT THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY VOTED FOR.

THEY DID NOT WANT THIS.

AND YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THIS COMES DOWN TO TALK ABOUT, IS IT PROPORTIONAL?

IS IT COMPACT?

IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL?

THOSE KIND OF TAGLINES.

AND DEPENDING WHO YOU ARE, THE ANSWERS ARE DIFFERENT TO THAT.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE REAL INTERESTING.

I THINK SAM'S RIGHT THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE COURTS DECIDING THIS ISSUE, AND THE COURTS WILL PRETTY MUCH TAKE IT FROM HERE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'LL THEN SEE MORE AND MORE EMPHASIS ON GETTING ALL OF THE MAPS BASICALLY IN COURT.

SO WE'LL WATCH IT PLAY OUT.

>> MIKE GONIDAKIS, JIM JEREMY, CONGRESSMAN, THE HOUSE MAP WOULD REPRESENT LINDEN.

HE'S MAD.

HE SAYS THAT THE GOP AT THE STATEHOUSE ARE TRYING TO DRAW HIM OUT OF CONGRESS.

DOES HE HAVE A POINT THERE, MIKE GONIDAKIS?

>> MY SOURCES SAY THERE WILL BE A NEW MAP NEXT WEEK.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, A LOT OF REPORTERS IN TOWN LOOKED AT VARIOUS LINES, SIX "R" DISTRICTS TO "D" DISTRICTS AND SEVEN COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

IT COULD CHANGE NEXT WEEK, MIND YOU.

CAMPAIGNS MATTER, ISSUES MATTER.

VIRGINIA TWO WEEKS AGO.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH REPUBLICANS TO ELECT A GOVERNOR STATEWIDE, BUT A BETTER CANDIDATE RAN.

IF PARTIES HAVE THE CANDIDATES THEY CAN CHANGE DISTRICTS.

NEXT WEEK, 9-6, 15 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN OHIO -- ONE GOOD CANDIDATE, YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL AS A DEMOCRAT FOR OHIO.

>>> FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ANY GRADUATE OF COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS CAN GO TO COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR FREE.

ALL STUDENTS HAVE TO DO IS MAINTAIN A 2.0 GPA AT COLUMBUS STATE.

SAVING ABOUT $5,000 A YEAR IN TUITION.

THE PROGRAM WILL COST $9.5 MILLION.

THE CITY OF COLUMBUS WILL PICK UP $4 MILLION.

COLUMBUS STATE $1 MILLION.

THE OTHER HALF WILL COME FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.

MIKE GONIDAKIS, USED TO BE YOU NEEDED A HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE TO GET A DECENT JOB.

NOW YOU KIND OF NEEDED A ADVANCED TRAINING, A COLLEGE DEGREE TO GET A DECENT JOB.

WE PAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS, SHOULDN'T WE ALSO PAY FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD.

I THINK THE TRADE SCHOOLS ARE GREAT OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE A LIVING TOO.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THE DECISION BY COLUMBUS STATE IS UNFORTUNATE AND MISGUIDED.

THE LEVEL OF ACADEMIC MINDSET OF THESE KIDS, I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

I BELIEVE PERSONALLY -- SAM, MY TURN -- PEEL BACK THE LAYERS OF THIS NEW PROGRAM, YOU JUST HAVE TO GRADUATE.

JUST HAVE TO GRADUATE.

C-MINUS, OFF YOU GO TO COLLEGE.

THERE'S NO INCENTIVE FOR AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT TO ACHIEVE, BECAUSE HEY, ALL I'VE GOT TO DO IS GET A "C," I'M OFF TO FREE COLLEGE, ONLY HAVE TO MAINTAIN A 2.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE TO KEEP THAT FREE TUITION, PLUS $1,000 A YEAR IN LIVING EXPENSES.

KIDS OUT THERE GETTING OFFERS IN THE MARKETPLACE -- WE SHOULD HOLD OUR STUDENTS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD, A GREAT TEACHING ENVIRONMENT, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET THE HIGHEST PER-PUPIL FUNDING IN THE STATE, USE THOSE RESOURCES TO HELP THOSE KIDS, INCENTIVIZE THEM TO WORK HARD.

GET THEM A GREAT CAREER.

BUT NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRAPPED IN A SYSTEM, HEY, DO THE BARE MINIMUM.

TEACHERS ARE GOING TO BE PRESSURED, DON'T GIVE THEM A "D," GIVE THEM THE C-MINUS SO WE CAN GRADE WAIT THEM AND SHUNT THEM OFF TO COLUMBUS STATE.

>> SAM GRESHAM, I THINK YOU SUPPORT THIS?

>> THE ARROGANCE OF YOU, MIKE.

TELLING WHAT KIDS IN THE COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN OR CANNOT DO.

I THINK IT'S STUPID TO SAY THAT GIVING A KID TUITION TO GO TO SCHOOL IS WRONG.

HOW DO YOU -- MY TURN, MICHAEL.

EVERYBODY AROUND THE WORLD DOES THAT.

TUITION IS FREE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WE'RE THE ONLY INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT DOESN'T DO IT.

AND YOU LAY THAT AT THE FOOT OF BLACK FOLK WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE WORST FORM OF SYSTEMIC RACISM TO EVER EXIST?

AND ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU GIVE THEM TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN FRONT OF THEM IS A GIFT AND THEY'D APPRECIATE IT BEYOND BELIEF.

THE 2.5 THAT YOU TALK ABOUT?

ALL THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL, NOT JUST THE BLACK STUDENTS, ADHERE TO THAT.

ALL THE STUDENTS IN COLLEGE, A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL, ADHERE TO A 2.5.

SO YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> SAM, THERE'S DEBATE ABOUT FREE COLLEGE.

SHOULDN'T STUDENTS -- SHOULDN'T ADULT STUDENTS HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME WHEN IT COMES TO GOING TO COLLEGE?

SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL PORTION TO GO TO COLLEGE SO THEY HAVE THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO DO WELL, TO MAKE USE OF THAT COLLEGE EDUCATION?

>> MICHAEL, I'M AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.

I PUNCHED OUT WHEN I FIRST WENT TO COLLEGE.

MY RESCUE PLAN WAS TO GO BACK TO MALCOLM X CITY COLLEGE.

MALCOLM X CITY COLLEGE RESCUED ME.

I DIDN'T NEED THE TUITION THAT THEY PAID, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE PAID NOW.

I WORKED AT NIGHT, WENT TO SCHOOL DURING THE DAY.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS A PLACE WHERE A PERSON CAN RESCUE THEMSELVES.

NOW, WHEN YOU SAY SKIN IN THE GAME, I DON'T KNOW.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE A CAPACITY TO WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL, SOME PEOPLE DON'T.

AND THE MARGIN IS SO CLOSE ON SOME PEOPLE, IF YOU REQUIRE THEM TO WORK, THEY'RE GOING TO FAIL.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER THEY SHOULD HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE BLACK.

IF THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WERE WHITE, THEY WOULDN'T BE ASKING WHITE STUDENTS TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

ONE MORE THING AND I'LL SHUT UP.

SOME WHITE STUDENTS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY ARE GOING TO TAKE A WHOLE LOT OF THEM, ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

>> PRIVATE MONEY HERE, HALF OF THIS FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS COMING FROM PRIVATE SOURCES.

SOME MAJOR COMPANIES ARE CONTRIBUTING.

THEY SAY THEY NEED STUDENTS TO GO THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TO GET THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO BECOME GOOD EMPLOYEES.

ISN'T IT GOOD ECONOMICS, GOOD BUSINESS SENSE, FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO FUND STUDENT EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

ISN'T THAT A GOOD REASON TO DO IT, MIKE GONIDAKIS?

>> CORPORATIONS IN CENTRAL OHIO, THERE'S A LOT OF RICH ONES, IF THEY WANT TO FUND KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL, DO IT.

IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR BUSINESS DOLLARS, TELL THE SHAREHOLDERS THEY'RE GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENS, THAT'S GREAT.

THE PUBLIC SIDE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS, YOURS AND MINE, SAM'S AND JO'S, IT'S A QUESTION WE NEED TO BE ASKING OURSELVES.

IS THIS THE BEST USE OF MONEY?

WE'RE ALREADY POURING IN COUNTLESS DOLLARS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS TO COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

NOW TO GO TO COLUMBUS STATE, JUST GETTING A 2.0 AVERAGE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE QUESTION YOU ASK YOURSELF.

IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WANTS TO FUND IT, THAT'S GREAT.

PRIVATE SECTOR, PRIVATE DOLLARS.

IT'S THE PUBLIC SIDE WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT, IT'S OUR TAXES.

>>> 18 MONTHS AGO THE CALLS CAME FROM THE STREETS SURROUNDING COLUMBUS CITY HALL AND THE STATEHOUSE AND FROM THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE MAYOR'S HOUSE.

DEFUND THE POLICE.

WHATEVER DEFINITION PROTESTERS PUT ON THAT PHRASE, THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR, SPEND MORE MONEY ON SOCIAL SERVICES AND LESS MONEY ON POLICING.

WITH THOSE PROTESTS FRESH IN MIND BUT WITH THE CITY'S MURDER RATE RISING TO A RECORD HIGH, THIS WEEK A PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET EMPHASIZES OFFICERS ON THE STREET.

THE MAYOR WANTS THE CITY TO SPEND $660 MILLION ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HIRE 107 NEW POLICE OFFICERS.

MOST OF THOSE OFFICERS WOULD REPLACE RETIRING OR RESIGNING OFFICERS.

THE BUDGET WOULD SPEND SOME MONEY ON YOUTH PROGRAMS, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SAM GRESHAM, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS?

IT'S TWO PROBLEMS.

THERE'S A LOT OF CRIME, VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

THERE'S ALSO A CAUSE TO CHANGE THE WAY POLICING OPERATES.

>> THE FIRST THING PEOPLE HEAR IS 660.

I THINK THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT THE DETAILS.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAMMING?

WHAT DO THEY INTEND TO DO?

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DELIVER IT TO THE PEOPLE?

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MEASURE ITS SUCCESS?

WHETHER YOU WANT TO CHANGE -- HOW ARE YOU CHANGING THE SITUATION?

ARE YOU JUST SPENDING MONEY?

AND I WORRY THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO SPEND MONEY.

BACK IN MY DAY, WHEN I WAS AT THE URBAN LEAGUE, WE HAD A PROGRAM CALLED "WEED AND SEED."

IT DEALT WITH CRIME.

WHAT IT SAYS IS, WE'RE GOING TO SEED YOU TO HELP YOU GET A JOB, OKAY?

AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU TRAINING AND GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO WEED YOU IF YOU DECIDE YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

PUT YOU IN JAIL.

THAT'S HOW IT WAS PRESENTED TO WOULD-BE CRIMINALS, WANNABE CRIMINALS, AND REAL CRIMINALS.

GUESS WHAT, IT WORKED.

>> THIS IS A DEBATE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS.

60% OF BUDGETS GOING TO POLICE, FIRE, PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

SOME SAY IT SHOULD BE A LOWER PERCENTAGE AND FUND PROGRAMS SUCH AS SAM DESCRIBED.

>> YOU SEE IN TALKING TO THE POLICE OFFICERS, THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SITUATIONS THAT THEY CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

AND THEN THAT'S IT.

AND IF THEY WANT A COLLABORATION WITH DIFFERENT RESOURCES, DIFFERENT -- FOR EXAMPLE, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING KIND OF SERVICES, THOSE KIND OF THINGS -- AND THEY ALSO WANT THE COMMUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE POLICE FORCE, AND THEY WANT TO BE A PARTNER ENTITY.

AS SAM SAID, SOMETIMES THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T SEE THEM IN THE SAME LIGHT.

THERE'S A LOT OF GROUND THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED THERE.

YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO TRY TO CAPTURE SOME OF THAT.

>> MIKE GONIDAKIS, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS SUFFERING HIGH CRIME RATES, THEY WANT POLICE OFFICERS.

BUT WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FORCE REAL CHANGE IS TO CUT OFF THE MONEY, YOU'RE NOT GOING CHANGE UNLESS YOU CHANGE SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT?

>> HERE'S WHAT I KNOW, MIKE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE LESS COPS RIGHT NOW THAN BEFORE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS AND THE CRIME RATE'S SPIKING.

A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED OUTSIDE OF EASTON THIS WEEK.

WHO'S THE TARGET DURING THE DAY?

THEM AND THEIR KIDS.

THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE, THERE'S HUNDREDS MORE.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

THE MAYOR TURNED HIS BACK ON THE POLICE AMID ALL THE BLM STUFF STARTED, ONE GOT ARRESTED, THE COPS WERE DOING THEIR JOB, WHETHER IT'S PSYCHOLOGISTS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PEOPLE -- WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.

IF WE WANT TO GET RID OF CRIME IN THE CITY, HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS WITH THIS FUNDING TO GO OUT AND ARREST THE BAD GUYS.

NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

>> SAM GRESHAM, REALLY QUICKLY.

MINNEAPOLIS, MAJOR POLICE OVERHAUL, HAS THE CITY TURNED AWAY FROM REFORM EFFORTS BECAUSE OF RISING CRIME RATES?

>> NO, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE DO IT NOW THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

IN MY VIEW, WE HAVE A REFLEX THEORY IN THIS COUNTRY.

2024 WILL BE THE END OF THAT REFLEX THEORY.

THAT LOTS OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO, IF WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THIS COUNTRY AS IT IS, AND POLICING, EDUCATION, RACE RELATIONS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ARE ALL PARTS OF THAT.

>> OKAY.

>>> LET'S GET TO OUR FINAL "OFF THE RECORD" PARTING SHOTS.

SAM GRESHAM, YOU GO FIRST.

>> I HOPE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE REDISTRICTING THAT'S GOING ON.

BECAUSE IT'S A SILENT KILLER.

YOU'LL WAKE UP TOMORROW AND DON'T KNOW WHAT DISTRICT OR WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR.

BE CAREFUL.

>> MARK GONIDAKIS?

>> I THINK THE STATE AUDITOR NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT FINANCES A THE COLUMBUS STATE.

JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, COLUMBUS STATE DECIDED PROPERTY TAXES NEEDED TO BE RAISED SO THEY COULD BUILD NEW BUILDINGS AT COLUMBUS STATE.

I DON'T SEE CRANES, I DON'T SEE NEW BUILDINGS.

NOW FREE TUITION ON CAMPUS.

WE NEED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, BECAUSE PROPERTY TAXES ARE RAISED.

>> JO INGLES?

>> MIKE, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REALLY HAVE TO WORK AT TOO IN ADDITION TO IF THEY GIVE FREE TUITION WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TOO IS MAYBE LOOK AT THESE KIDS THAT THEY'RE SERVING AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT THEY NEED FOR COLLEGE.

WHAT DO THEY WANT TO DO WITH THAT -- WITH THE CLASSES THAT THEY GET?

MAYBE INTERNSHIPS.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PART OF THIS AS PART OF THAT FREE TUITION.

>> QUICKLY, DO YOU SEE ANY STATE ACTION ON THIS, TRYING TO PREVENT THE REDISTRICTING?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

THE STATE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT IT, THAT'S A BIG DEAL DOWN THERE, AND I DON'T KNOW.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALLS, ALL FRANKLIN COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD GET A CRACK AT THIS.

BUT WHATEVER.

>>> I WAS IN NEW YORK CITY LAST WEEK.

A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE THAN THE ONE WE HAVE HERE IN OHIO.

EVERYONE WAS WEARING A MASK, EVERYWHERE.

EVERY RESTAURANT, EVERY MUSEUM, EVERY PUBLIC VENUE CHECKED THE VACCINE I.D.

CARDS, COULDN'T GET IN IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ONE.

I DIDN'T SEE ANY FIGHTS.

EVERY CROWDED RESTAURANT WE VISITED SEEMED TO BE FULLY STAFFED.

NO EXTRA WAITS TO BE SEATED OR TO BE FED.

AND NEW YORK'S COVID CASE RATE IS HALF OF WHAT COLUMBUS' CASE RATE IS.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

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FOR OUR CREW, I'M MARK THOMPSON, HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

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