CRISIS POINT.

JOINING US ON CALL, WITH "ON THE RECORD," "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD," WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, BOB, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND DESIREE, OF INNOVATION OHIO.

OMICRON IS HERE, BUT OHIO HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT IS STILL THE DELTA VARIANT FILLING HOSPITALS.

DAILY CASE RATE TOPS 11,000 THIS WEEK.

THE SINGLE LARGEST DAY TOTAL SINCE LAST WINTER.

EACH DAY, HUNDREDS OF OHIOANS ARE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL, STATE OFFICIALS ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE UPCOMING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

THEY WORRY ABOUT GATHERINGS COMBINED WITH THE LOOMING HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANT, AND HEALTH OFFICIALS, THE EXPERTS URGE EVERYONE TO GET FULLY VACCINATED AND THAT MEANS THE BOOSTER.

>> THE RESEARCH IS SHOWING THAT THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY RECEIVED A BOOSTER HAVE DEMONSTRATED STRONG PROTECTION AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANT.

SO IN SHORT, IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE, AND HAVEN'T GOTTEN YOUR BOOSTER, NOW IS THE TIME.

OMICRON IS HERE.

AND ALL SIGNS ARE POINTING TO IT BEING MORE CONTAGIOUS.

PLEASE, PROTECT YOURSELF WITH A BOOSTER.

>> POINTING TO A DIFFICULT DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

JUST TODAY, THE GOVERNOR ORDERED A THOUSAND NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO HELP OUT AT HOSPITALS.

ALSO THE MEDICAL CENTER HERE IN COLUMBUS SAID NO ELECTIVE PROCEDURES THAT REQUIRE OVERNIGHT STAY, AFTER JANUARY 3rd.

SO PEOPLE ARE PREPARING.

>> YES, I MEAN IT REMINDS YOU OF THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, DOESN'T IT?

IT'S VERY STRANGE AND SAD, I GUESS, THAT WE HAD HOPED TO BE COMING TO AN END OF THIS, AND THINGS WERE LOOKING UP THERE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE VIRUS KEEPS GETTING AHEAD OF US, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, IT KEEPS ON MORPHING, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT THE OMICRON IS PARTICULARLY DEADLY, OR, YOU KNOW, AS CASES ARE SO BAD, BUT AT THE SAME TIME GOVERNMENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECKON WITH THIS ONCE AGAIN, AND WHO KNOWS WHETHER AROUND THE WORLD COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO BE SHUTTING DOWN AGAIN.

>> IT'S REALLY, GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR, INTO THE EARLY DAYS OF THIS, IN THE SPRING, MARCH OF 2020, OR THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATES, FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS EVENTUALLY SAYING THE EXPERTS, LET THE EXPERTS TAKE OVER, WE WON'T HAVE ANY SHUTDOWN, MANDATES, IS THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?

>> IT'S THE INCORRECT WAY TO GO, AND WE NO THAT FROM SCIENCE, AND FROM PHYSICIANS, AND NURSES, AND PEOPLE, ALL AROUND THE WORLD, ARE SAYING GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK, DO THE RIGHT THING, AND MANDATES WORK.

IT IS, YOU KNOW, NOT TYPICAL, BUT MANY POLITICIANS ARE RUNNING TO THE POLLS AN LOOKING AT PUBLIC OPINIONS INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF WHO THEY GOVERN.

SO I WOULD HOPE MORE GOVERNORS WILL STEP BACK UP TO THE PLATE AS WE'RE SEEING OUR HOSPITALS OVERFILLED WITH PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM COVID-19, TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND IMPLEMENT THOSE MANDATES.

IF HOSPITALS GET OVERRUN AND THE DEATHS DO SPIKE, WE PASSED 800,000 NOTICE COUNTRY THIS WEEK, EXPERTS SAY BY MARCH WE WILL HIT A MILLION, EVEN IF OMICRON IS AS PREDICTED.

MIGHT A REAL BAD JANUARY PROMPT ANOTHER VUT SHUTDOWN, DO YOU THINK, OR DO YOU THINK WE'RE BEYOND THAT AT THIS POINT.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM THAT A LOT OF GOVERNORS ARE SEEING AND WHY THEY'RE NOT PUTTING OUT ANY NEW MANDATE ORS ANYTHING IS THAT PEOPLE, BY AND LARGE ARE JUST NOT GOING TO ABIDE BY IT.

THEY, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE ALREADY, WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TRYING TO DO, YOU'RE GETTING LAWSUITS RIGHT AND LEFT, BEING FILED, AND HE ACTUALLY IS BEING SHUT DOWN BY COURTS.

AND THE GOVERNORS, I THINK DESIREE HIT IT, A LOT OF THEM ARE UP NEXT YEAR AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE POLITICAL HEAT OF ANOTHER SHUTDOWN.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW BAD THIS WOULD HAVE TO GET FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'S GOVERNORS LIKE IN COLORADO, MICHIGAN, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS THAT WERE PRETTY HARD CORE IN THE BEGINNING THAT ARE JUST SAYING NO, I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME.

>> MANY VENUES HERE IN COLUMBUS ARE REQUIRING A VACCINE CARD TO SEE A SHOW AT THE PALACE THEATER OR OSU, TO SEE A PERFORMANCE THERE.

MIGHT THESE VENUES STARTS SAYING YOU GOT TO SHOW YOU'VE GOTTEN THE BOOSTER AS WELL?

>> WELL, IT VERY WELL COULD BE.

YOU KNOW, WE ALSO ARE SEEING SOME PUSHBACK ON THAT, HOWEVER, AT THE STATE HOUSE, AND OTHER STATE HOUSES AROUND THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE CALLING VACCINE REQUIREMENT, YOU KNOW, SHOWING THE PASSPORTS OR WHAT NOT, BUT IT'S A GOOD WAY TO GO, TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, TO JUST SHOW THEY'VE GOT THE SHOT AND ADD THE BOOSTER AND DOCTORS DO SAY TO KEEP PEOPLE AS SAFE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN BE, AND WE WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO SEE THESE REMINDERS.

SOCIAL DISTANCING.

WEARING YOUR MASK.

TAKING THESE PRECAUTIONS.

GETTING YOUR HAND SANITIZER BACK OUT AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE WERE HOPING WERE GOING AWAY.

BUT I THINK TO BOB'S POINT, WHO WANTS TO TAKE A POLITICAL HIT TO SHUT THINGS DOWN, AND TELL PEOPLE STUFF THAT AT THIS POINT THEY FEEL THEY ALREADY KNOW, AND NOW WE'VE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S A RISK THAT THEY MIGHT NOT WANT TO TAKE.

>> THE NEXT TOPIC, GOVERNOR DEWINE HAS BEEN HOLDING QUITE A FEW NEWS CONFERENCES AROUND THE STATE, HANDING OUT FEDERAL GRANT MONEY.

THE MONEY GOES TO POLICE, DRINKING WATER PROJECT, WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE DOING THE SAME, THE MONEY IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, APPROVED LAST SPRING.

DEMOCRATS, POINTED OUT, THE IRONY, THE SAME REPUBLICAN LEADERS STRONGLY OPPOSED THE PACKAGE.

THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY EVEN THOUGH THEY OPPOSE THE SPENDING, THEIR STATES DESERVE THEIR FAIR SHARE.

BOB, THIS IS JUST PLAIN OLD POLITICS.

VOTE, NO AND TAKE THE DOUGH AND PACK UP, RIGHT?

>> HEY, I DON'T -- I LIKE THAT GOVERNOR DEWINE OPPOSED IT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THING WE NEED IS MORE FEDERAL MONEY BEING SPENT, ESPECIALLY WITH INFLATION AT A 40, 50-YEAR HIGH, BUT HEY, IF HE HADN'T TAKEN THAT MONEY, IT WOULD BE GOING TO THOSE DEMOCRAT STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, WHO NEVER GET ENOUGH FEDERAL MONEY, AND WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE ANY OF THE MONEY THAT REPUBLICAN STATES WOULD TURN DOWN, AND THEY WOULD SPEND IT THEMSELVES.

SO FOR THE PEOPLE OF OHIO, I THINK GOVERNOR DEWINE DID A GREAT JOB BY ACCEPTING THE MONEY AND USING IT, BECAUSE IF HE HADN'T, SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD HAVE IT.

>> I THINK OHIO HAD A GREAT IDEA, BUT THE OTHERS OFTEN PAY MORE INTO THE BUDGET THAN THEY TAKE OUT WHILE RURAL STATES LIKE KENTUCKY TAKE IN MORE THAN THEY PAY OUT.

DESIREE, DEMOCRATS LOOK AT TAX CUTS BUT MANY SUPPORTERS DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX CUTS WHEN THEY COME THROUGH, THINKING OF THE TRUMP TAX CUTS A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTRY TO COME TOGETHER, TO VOTE ON A PACKAGE THAT WOULD HELP US BUILD BACK BETTER.

I THINK OHIOANS ALL ACROSS THE STATE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE OUR ROADS FIXED, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE MORE MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TO FIX THE LEAD PAINT IN HOUSING, AND IN SCHOOLS AND IN WATER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT.

EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN, EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTED NO, AND NOW THEY'RE CHAMPIONING DEMOCRATIC WINS.

I JUST, I BELIEVE IN PLAYING BY THE RULES, GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE, YEAH FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN DOING THE RIGHT THING AND DELIVERING FOR OHIO.

>> JULIE, THIS IS NOT INCLUDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY, WHICH TAKES A LITTLE LONGER TO COME UP.

THAT WAS THE ONE THAT WAS PASSED THIS PAST FALL, THAT WILL COME OUT PERHAPS IN THE SPRING, AND IN THE YEARS AHEAD, I ASSUME WE'LL SEE, THAT AND, AND THAT WAS BIPARTISAN AND THAT MICE GIVE REPUBLICANS MORE COVER, AND TO TOUT THOSE PROJECTS WHEN THEY START COMING AROUND.

>> RIGHT, AND I MEAN IT IS POLITICAL ON BOTH SIDES, OBVIOUSLY, IF, YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT IS A DEMOCRAT, AND HE WANTS TO HELP DEMOCRATS SPREAD ALL KINDS OF WEALTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH HIS NAME ATTACHED TO, IT OVER THE MONTHS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE CONGRESS, THAT MAKES SENSE FOR HIM.

NOW FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE AS THAT COMES FORWARD, THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR THEM.

BUT I THINK IT IS FAIR IN POLITICS FOR PEOPLE, AS DESIREE SAID, TO POINT OUT THE HYPOCRISY OF NOT SUPPORTING IT, BUT THEN TAKING THE MONEY, AND GOING AROUND TOUTING.

NOW, YOU KNOW, TO BOB'S POINT, THE MONEY THAT DEWINE IS SPENDING, HE'S SPENDING ON KIND OF A REPUBLICAN PRIORITY, RIGHT?

HE'S SPENDING SOME OF IT ON POLICE, AND SOME PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO HIS HEART, AND SO BOB IS MAKING A POINT THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN TAKE DEMOCRATIC PASSED MONEY AND SPEND IT ON REPUBLICAN AUTHORITIES.

>> IT WAS PRETTY SHREWD FOR MIKE DEWINE TO USE DEMOCRATIC PASSED MONEY AND THEN TO SAY THE DEMOCRATS WANTED TO DEFUND THE POLICE, BUT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON THE POLICE, AND HE WOULDN'T HAVE THAT MONEY IF DEMOCRATS HADN'T APPROVED THAT.

WASN'T THAT A LITTLE BIT UNFAIR?

JUST A LITTLE BIT?

>> I MEAN THE DEMOCRATS WOULDN'T KEEP PUSHING DEFUNDING THE POLICE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THESE ISSUES, WOULD WE, MIKE?

BUT THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT, AND I MEAN OBVIOUSLY, CRIME IS NOW BLOWN OUT OF CONTROL, AND IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF CUTBACKS IN A LOT OF THE MAJOR CITIES, THAT THEY DID OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, SO I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS IS JUST TRYING TO HELP WHERE WILL IS, I MEAN WE HAVE CITIES LIKE COLUMBUS AND TOLEDO THAT ARE MURDER RATES THAT ARE THE HIGHEST EVER IN THEIR HISTORY AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS ADDRESSING THAT PROBLEM.

>> BOTTOM LINE, IMPROVING DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS AROUND OHIO, THAT HELPS BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHO CLAIMS THE CREDIT FOR IT, IF IT'S GOING TO HELP FOLKS?

>> I THINK IT DOES, I THINK IF YOU SHOW UP TO WORK EVERY DAY, AND YOU PUT IN YOUR EIGHT HOURS A DAY, AND THEN EVERY OTHER WEEK WHEN YOU SHOW UP TO GET YOUR PAYCHECK, IMAGINE SOMEONE COMING AND CASHING YOUR CHECK.

YOU WANT CREDIT FOR THE WORK YOU PUT IN OR AT THE VERY LEAST YOU WANT THE OPPOSITION TO STOP ATTACKING THE GOOD JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.

IF REPUBLICANS WANT TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES, WE WELCOME THEM INTO THE FOLD.

SUPPORTING CHILD TAX CREDITS.

MAKING SURE POLICE OFFICERS GET PAID.

OUR FIRST RESPONDERS GET THEIR DUE.

AS WELL AS ALL OF THE HARD WORK THEY'VE DONE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO COME ON INTO THE FOLD AND LET'S STOP ALL OF THE BICKERING BECAUSE BOTTOM LINE, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY AGREE WITH US.

>> CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN'S NAME KEEPS COMING UP AS ONE OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INSIDERS THAT MAY HAVE TRIED TO AT LEAST DELAY THE CERTIFICATION OF JOE BIDEN'S ELECTION.

IF NOT OVERTURN IT COMPLETELY.

JOURNALS REPORTEDLY, JORDAN REPORTEDLY MET WITH THE PRESIDENT'S TEAM TO QUESTION THE RESULTS OF KEY STATES AND FORWARDED A TEXT MESSAGE TO TRUMP'S CHIEF OF STAFF WHICH ADVISED VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE TO DISCARD ELECTORAL VOTES HE BELIEVED TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

PENCE REFUSED TO DO THAT.

WHERE IS THE LINE BETWEEN ADVOCATING STRONGLY FOR YOUR CANDIDATE, THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR PARTY, AND CROSSING OVER TO, YOU KNOW, FORMING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS AND OVERTURNING AN ELECTION WITH NO EVIDENCE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG?

>> WELL, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN PRETTY OBVIOUS FOR THE LAST YEAR THAT CONGRESSMAN JORDAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT JOE BIDEN WAS LEGITIMATELY ELECTED.

I MEAN THAT'S HIS BELIEF.

HE HAS NOT STEPPED AWAY FROM THAT.

HE ADMITTED OR HE SAID THAT THOSE WERE HIS TEXT MESSAGES.

HE'S NOT TRYING TO HIDE FROM ANY OF THIS.

HE'S A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

CONGRESS WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ONE THAT WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE IF HIS ACTIVITIES GO OVER THE LINE OR NOT.

AND THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T FELT THAT HE HAD, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, OR EVEN TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING TO HIM, TO EITHER STRIP AWAY COMMITTEES, OR TRY TO EXPEL HIM FROM THE HOUSE EVEN.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE IS A LINE THAT'S BEEN CROSSED.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATS THOUGH HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, I MEAN THEY'VE ALREADY STRIPPED A COUPLE OF REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE SO FAR THIS SESSION, AND THEIR PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR FROM NOW, THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THE MINORITY, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT REPUBLICANS WILL DO TO DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS IN THE NEXT CONGRESS.

THERE'S ALREADY BEEN TALK ABOUT CERTAIN MEMBERS THAT ARE ESPOUSING ANTI-SEMITIC VIEWS OR THAT WILL HAVE TO EITHER TONE IT DOWN OR PAY THE CONSEQUENCES AND I THINK NANCY PELOSI IS TRYING TO TAKE THIS VERY CAREFULLY AND NOT CAUSE A SITUATION WHERE HER OWN MEMBERS, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR FROM NOW, WILL PAY THE PRICE ALSO.

>> DESIREE, SHOULD DEMOCRATS BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

ARE THEY PLAYING TOO MUCH INTO THE POLITICS OF THIS?

THERE ARE TWO REPUBLICANS ON THIS COMMITTEE, LOOKING INTO THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION, BUT THEY WERE NOT THE REPUBLICANS THAT THE PARTY LEADERS WANTED, THEY ARE REPUBLICANS WHO OPPOSED DONALD TRUMP.

ARE DEMOCRATS PAYING TO MUCH POLITICS WITH THIS?

>> I THINK THE DEMOCRATS AND THE TWO REPUBLICANS, CONGRESSMAN LIZ CHENEY, ARE COMING TOGETHER TO SAVE DEMOCRACY.

THIS IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT WE DO NOT INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS TO VOTE, THAT WE RESPECT THE VOTERS' CHOICES AND THAT JOE BIDEN WON THE ELECTION.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE TEXT MESSAGES AND THE TRANSCRIPTS AND THE LIKES OF CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN IS A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S POLITICAL AT ALL.

IT IS A MUST THAT WE SAVE DEMOCRACY AND THAT WE PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> IS THERE ANY WAY THIS HURTS JIM JORDAN BACK HERE IN OHIO?

HIS DISTRICT RIGHT NOW IS VERY GERRYMANDERED AND STRETCHES FROM SUBURBAN CINCINNATI TO LAKE ERIE AND THE NEW DISTRICT WILL BE LESS GERRYMANDERED BUT PROBABLY NOT ALL THAT COMPETITIVE, A LITTLE MORE COMPETITIVE BUT NOT LIKELY.

ANY CHANCES THIS COMES BACK TO HOME HERE, IF HE HAD SOLID STRONG OPPONENTS NEXT YEAR?

>> WELL, IT DOES DAMAGE HIS BRAND A LITTLE BIT, THE REVELATION TO ME OF THE TEXT MESSAGES HAD TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THOSE WHO WERE BEHIND THE SCENES WERE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE MIDST OF THE INSURRECTION ON JANUARY 6th, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF FOX NEWS'S STAFF, AND THESE KIND OF THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF A BEHIND THE SCENES SHOWED AVERAGE PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS OF THIS STORY.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN THEIR HEARTS AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING OUT LOUD.

AND ANY OF US WHO COVER POLITICS KNOW THAT'S THE CASE, AS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN POLITICS, AND SO I JUST THINK THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A DAMAGING THING FOR JORDAN, THAT HE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING HIS HEART THERE, BUT WAS TRYING TO HELP A NARRATIVE ON TRUMP'S BEHALF.

>> OHIOANS CARRY HIDDEN GUNS WITH NO PERMIT AND NO TRAINING, IS A STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW.

THE SENATE PASSED A BILL THIS WEEK THAT ALSO REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT PEOPLE INFORM POLICE THEY HAVE A GUN IN THEIR VEHICLE WHEN THEY GET PULLED OVER.

THE HOUSE PASSED A SIMILAR MEASURE.

THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES GUN OWNERS TO TAKE TRAINING, OPPONENTS WHICH INCLUDES POLICE ORGANIZATIONS SAY THE BILL WOULD PUT PEOPLE AND OFFICERS AT RISK.

GOVERNOR DEWINE SAYS HE NEEDS TO KNOW MORE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD SIGN.

IT DESIREE, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS THAT GUN OWNERS SHOULD BE TRAINED, AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS AFFIRMED WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY A GUN.

IS THIS JUST A STRICT INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW?

>> THIS BILL IS VERY EXTREME AND IT'S DANGEROUS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE GOVERNOR DEWINE NEEDS TO SEE AND HEAR WHEN WE HAVE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST THIS.

IT IS DEADLY AND A LOT OF INNOCENT OHIOANS WILL BE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR LIVES IF THIS BILL IS SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> THERE IS THE TERM WELL REGULATED MILITIA IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT, SO THEY DO ALLOW FOR REGULATION, YOU WOULD THINK.

ISN'T IT LICENSE AND TRAINING FOR CARRYING A HIDDEN WEAPON, ISN'T THAT A COMMON SENSE REGULATION THAT SHOULD BE ON THE LAW OR DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR DEWINE WILL VETO THIS BECAUSE OF THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO VETO IT OR NOT.

WE ALREADY HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO PURCHASE A GUN, EVEN THOUGH THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE STOPPING THE ILLEGAL PURCHASING OF A GUN, WHICH ARE USED IN A LARGE AMOUNT OF THE CRIMES THAT ARE COMMITTED IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY.

CONCEAL CARRY, I THINK IT'S GREAT IF PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE, IT ONCE AGAIN, THOUGH, I DON'T THINK THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING GUNS TO COMMIT MURDERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH CONCEALED CARRY CLASSES, SO I DON'T SEE THAT AS DOING ANYTHING TO STOP OR TAKE DOWN THE MURDER RATE THAT IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF OHIO.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT, AND THE REGULATION OF THAT RIGHT, I THINK, IS UP TO EVERYBODY INDIVIDUAL STATE TO DETERMINE FOR THEMSELVES, AND IF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO ALLOW IT WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTION, THEN THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE TO MATION -- TO MAKE A DECISION WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO.

>> WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

AN EFFORT TO REDUCE FIREARMS OR A LARGE CALL AMONG CONCEALED PERMIT HOLDERS TO DO AWAY WITH THE PERMITS?

WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, BACK WHEN WE PUT THE CONCEALED CARRY SYSTEM IN PLACE, THESE SORT OF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND LICENSING WERE PART OF A COMPROMISE.

I MEAN THE POLITICS OF THE STATE WERE DIFFERENT THEN.

POLITICS AT THE STATE HOUSE WERE MORE DIVIDED, AND PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE.

WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW AT THAT POINT WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE, AND SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT THE STATE HOUSE IS MORE CONSERVATIVE.

THIS IS PART OF, YES, A STEP BY STEP SORT OF GRADUALLY TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE REGULATIONS THAT WERE INITIALLY PROMISED IN ORDER TO GET CONCEALED CARRY PASSED, AND THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT NOW.

NOW, GIVEN THAT STILL, WE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO PASS.

WE HAVE A SENATE VERSION AND A HOUSE VERSION AND SOMETIMES THINGS FALL DOWN, AND SOMETIMES THE COMPROMISE WILL BE USED, OR THE ISSUE WILL BE USED AS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR SOMETHING THEY CARE MORE ABOUT.

CERTAINLY, MIKE DEWINE HAS BEEN TRYING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF NOT EXACTLY GUN REGULATION, BUT WHAT THEY'RE CALLING SENSIBLE STEPS TO MAKE OHIO SAFER, AND SO WHETHER HE WANTS TO BE SEEN AS ATTACHED TO THIS, I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT WOULD PUT HIM IN A TOUGH SPOT IN FACING HIS OPPONENT NEXT SPRING.

>> THE LAST TOPIC, THE STATE OF OHIO COULD EXTEND THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

THE STATE SENATE HAS APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD EXTEND GROWING LICENSES TO A HANDFUL OF PROCESSES WHO WERE DENIED PERMITS BACK WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS GETTING STARTED IN 2018.

THE BILL WOULD INCREASE THE LICENSES IN OHIO AND INCREASE THE SIZE OF SOME CULTIVATOR'S FACILITIES AND ALLOW PHYSICIANS TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATION FOR ANY MEDICAL CONDITION THAT COULD BE HELPED BY MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE EXPANSION COMES AS A GROUP IS COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA SYSTEM IS WORKING.

IS THIS THE TIME TO BUILD ON IT AND EXPAND IT A BIT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OHIO'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IS RESTRICTIVE AND WE NEED TO BE MORE EXPANSIVE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALSO REALLY AGGRESSIVE WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THAT REGARD AS WELL.

SO I SUPPORT A LOT OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO MARIJUANA, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IN STUDIES THAT WILL ALLOW OUR ECONOMY TO GROW ALONG WITH IT, SO I'M ALL FOR IT.

>> DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR ANY CONDITION THAT CAN REASONABLY BE HELPED BY MARIJUANA.

IS THAT GOING TOO FAR THE OTHER WAY, WHERE THE LAW IS KIND OF LIMITING RIGHT NOW?

>> NO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE, THIS WHOLE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE, AND I'VE BEEN ALWAYS OF THE BELIEF THAT THE STATE OF OHIO HAS NOT BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, THEY WERE MORE OR LESS PUSHED INTO THIS BY THE BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT IN 2015, WHICH I WAS INVOLVED WITH, AND THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA, BECAUSE PEOPLE SEEM TO LIKE THAT ASPECT OF IT.

AND THEY KNEW IT WAS, IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER.

SO THEY WERE MORE OR LESS, YOU KNOW, DRAGGED INTO IT, KICKING AND SCREAMING.

AND I ALSO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, IF DOCTORS FEEL THEY HAVE A PATIENT THAT CAN BE HELPED WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA, THEN WHY NOT BE ABLE TO PRESCRIBE IT?

>> ALONG WITH THE TIMING OF THIS, COMING AS THE RECREATIONAL POT EFFORT IS REALLY GETTING GOING AND COULD POSSIBLY BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT NOVEMBER.

WE WILL SEE IF THE TWO MERGE AND IF THEY ARE CONNECTED.

TIME FOR THE FINAL "ON THE RECORD" PARTING SHOT.

>> BE ON THE LOOKOUT IN THE COMING DAYS FOR AN OPINION FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO REGARDING THE REDISTRICTING AND GATHER RY MANDERING CASES -- GERRYMANDERING CASES.

I'M REALLY OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL THAT THE COURT WILL DO SOMETHING TO REMEDY THE HARM THAT THE REPUBLICANS DID.

>> BOB, YOUR FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> THE ADVISING INDUSTRY IS LOOKING AT 2022 AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BIGGEST GROWTH IN ADVISING ON TV, RADIO, AND DIGITAL IS GOING TO BE, AND THEY'VE IDENTIFIED TWO MAIN AREAS, POLITICAL, AND SPORTS BETTING, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED.

>> DRAFTKINGS.

THE NEXT U.S.

SENATOR.

JULIE, YOU'RE UP.

>> WE HAD A DEMOCRATIC ENTRANT INTO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE THIS WEEK, JENNIFER CARLSON, WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, FACING TWO-TERM, WELL, A FORMER TWO-TERM AUDITOR AND CURRENT A. G. INCUMBENT, SO WE'RE STILL WATCHING TO SEE WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BRING TOGETHER IN TERMS OF A FULL SLATE, AND WHAT THE MAKEUP OF THAT SLATE WILL BE, IN A LOT OF WAYS, IN TERMS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCE AND WHERE THOSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO COME FROM.

>> IF YOU RECALL LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, THE CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN WAS PETITIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO DEAL WITH HIS FEELING OF THE BENGALS NOT DOING WELL AND THIS YEAR THEY'RE DOING BETTER.

>> THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE ONLINE, ON TWITTER OCCASIONALLY AND YOU CAN GET EACH EPISODE ON DEMAND AT OUR WEB SITE WOSU.ORG.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.