>>> ACT TWO COMES TO A CLOSE.

XXXX >>> HOUSEHOLDERS ACT TWO COMES TO A CLOSE.

♪♪ >>> JOIN US ON COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD THIS WEEK.

JAIME, STATEHOUSE CORRESPONDENT FOR CLEVELAND.COM.

MORGAN HOPPER, PROGRESSIVE ACTIVIST.

AND SHANNON JONES, FORMER STATE'S LEGISLATOR.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE JAMES BUCHANAN WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE OHIO HOUSE HAS KICKED OUT ONE OF ITS OWN.

>> 75 AFFIRMATIVE VOTES, 21 NEGATIVE VOTES.

THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE LIGHTHOUSE IS EXPELLED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> 11 MONTHS AFTER FELLOW PROSECUTORS ACCUSED LARRY HOUSEHOLDER OF LEADING A BRIBERY SCHEME, THEY EXPEL I HAD HIM FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND AGAIN HE MAINTAINED HIS INNOCENCE.

>> I HAVE NOT NOR HAVE I EVER -- NOR HAVE I EVER TOOK A BRIBE OR PROVIDED A BRIBE.

I HAVE NOT NOR HAVE I EVER SOLICITED A BRIBE.

AND I HAVE NOT NOR HAVE I EVER SOLD LEGISLATION.

NEVER, EVER.

>> EXTRAORDINARY AFTERNOON AT THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK.

JEREMY, YOU WERE THERE.

DESCRIBE WHAT THE SCENE WAS LIKE AND IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE HE WAS FIRST INDICTED OR CHARGED OR CHARGES CAME TO LIGHT.

WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

>> ONE LAW MAKER TOLD ME WHEN I ENTERED THE ROOM THAT THERE'S NOT MANY TIMES YOU GO INTO THE HOUSE CHAMBER WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF LAWMAKERS, THEY ENTERED THE CHAMBER THAT DAY NOT BEING 100% SURE, THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAPPEN, BUT THEY WEREN'T 100% SURE.

AND AS IT TURNED OUT, IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN 150 YEARS.

AND THIS HAPPENED QUICKLY.

AS YOU SAID, IT'S BEEN 11 MONTHS SINCE LARRY HOUSEHOLDER WAS ARRESTED.

A SMALL BUT INFLUENTIAL GROUP OF REPUBLICANS HELD IT UP, NOT JUST HIS SEAT AS SPEAKER, WHICH THEY DID ALMOST RIGHT AFTER HIS ARREST, BUT THEN AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATURE ALTOGETHER.

IT HAPPENED QUICKLY AND THE DAM BROKE AND IT TURNED OUT THAT THERE WERE MORE THAN ENOUGH VOTES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO EXPEL HIM FROM THE HOUSE.

>> SHANNON JONES, YOU SAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT HAD TO BE A TOUGH VOTE TO EXPEL HIM TO THROW ONE OF YOUR OWN, UNDO THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

HE WAS RE-ELECTED LAST NOVEMBER, STARTING HIS NEW TERM IN JANUARY.

WAS THIS DISORDERLY CONDUCT?

WAS HIS ACT, WAS BEING INDICTED ALONE ENOUGH TO EXPEL HIM?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT OF A DECISION IT WAS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS NOT AN INCONSEQUENTIAL, YOU KNOW, CHARGES THAT WERE FILED.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS ENTITLED THEIR DAY IN COURT, IF YOU WILL, BUT I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY IS ENTITLED TO HAVE A SEAT IN THE OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND THAT BODY GETS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CODE OF CONDUCT IS AND HOW -- THE EXAMPLE THEY'RE GOING TO SET FOR OHIOANS.

WHILE I'M SURE IT WAS TOUGH, I THINK THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> YOU'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS QUITE A WHILE.

I'VE HAD MANY DEMOCRATS -- IT'S DONE.

IS THE ISSUE OVER AS FAR AS HOW STATE REPS VOTED ON LARRY HOUSEHOLDER?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH SHANNON.

OUR INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO HAVE SOME MEANING AND SOME STANDARDS FOR THEM TO BE EFFECTIVE.

AND WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS SEEN THAT COMING OUT OF THE OHIO STATE LEGISLATURE, BUT THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE THERE WAS A CLEAR SIGN THAT WE SHOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS.

AND CRIMINAL I INDICTMENT FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST SCANDALS IN HISTORY SEEMED LIKE A PRETTY GOOD BASELINE FOR A CONDUCT WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT FROM ELECTED OWE FISHLSZ.

IT DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE IN HIS DRIKTD WON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION.

THEY WILL HAVE A VOICE.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT MEET THE STANDARD OF WHAT OHIOANS EXPECT OUT OF WHAT PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT US.

>> JEREMY, REPUBLICANS SAID HOUSEHOLDER SHOULD RESIGN.

HE'S PRETTY MUCH SAID THAT SINCE THE GET-GO.

HE WAS COOL, VAGUE ON WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO HIM.

THIS WEEK HE WAS PRETTY FIRM.

THE INDICTMENT IS PRETTY DAMNING.

IT'S REASON TO EXPEL HIM.

WHAT PUSHED HIM OVER THE EDGE?

WAS IT THE REPUBLICANS WANTED TO GET THIS OFF THEIR PLATE?

THEY DIDN'T WANT THIS HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD AS THEY START TO RAMP UP THEIR CAMPAIGNS FOR 2022?

>> WELL, THAT'S A TOUGH -- TALKING TO REPORTERS RIGHT AFTER THE EXPULSION VOTE.

HE SAID THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN HANGING OVER THE BODY, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

NOW, HE DIDN'T SAY -- UP UNTIL THAT POINT HE HELD HIS CARDS PRETTY CLOSE TO HIS VEST, AND HIS CAUCUS WAS VERY EXCITED FOR A WHILE.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WHO THOUGHT HE SHOULD LEAVE.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WHO THOUGHT THEY SHOULD WAIT UNTIL HE WAS CONVICTED OR NOT CONVICTED TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT HIM.

AND THEN THERE WERE PEOPLE LIKE BOB TUCKMAN WHO SAID THEY WANT IT TO GO AWAY.

WE HOPE HE'LL RESIGN IN THE MEANTIME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

FINALLY, REPUBLICANS GOT KIND OF SICK OF THE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AS THEY ARE DEALING WITH A MASS BUDGET AS THEY ARE TRYING TO WRAP UP FOR THE SUMMER.

THEY DECIDED ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON THIS.

A FRESHMAN LAW MAKER WAS BEHIND THIS, BRIAN STEWART.

SO AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS OF TALK, A FRESHMAN LAW MAKER FROM PICK AWAY COUNTY, A REPUBLICAN WHO BROUGHT THE RESOLUTION AND GOT IT SUCCESSFULLY PASSED ALONG WITH ANOTHER REPUBLICAN, MARK FRAZIER FROM NORK.

>> SHANNON, THE REPUBLICANS, WILL THEY FACE BACKLASH?

THERE'S A LOT OF DONALD TRUMP UNDER TONES.

HOUSEHOLDER USED HIS NAME.

HIS REPUBLICAN ALLIES USED HIS NAME, THEY ARGUED THE WAY DONALD TRUMP WAS TREATED DURING HIS PRESIDENCY AND IN THE ELECTION.

DO REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED TO EXPEL HIM FACE ANY BACKLASH, DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT WAS A PRETTY FARFETCHED ARGUMENT FOR ANYBODY TO MAKE.

THESE ARE PRETTY SERIOUS CHARGES, AND YOU KNOW, THE NEWS HAD NEVER GOTTEN BETTER FOR THE SPEAKER.

LOOK, I THINK IT IS A PERFECTLY REASONABLE ARGUMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER TO BE ABLE TO SAY THERE IS A CODE OF CONDUCT HERE, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL OF OHIOANS.

I HONESTLY DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE FOR CORRUPTION AND THAT THERE JUST ISN'T THAT KIND OF CONNECTION BETWEEN LARRY HOUSEHOLDER AND DONALD TRUMP.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT THE SAME, IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE SAME APPEAL, NOTWITHSTANDING HOW HARD HE TRIED TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION.

>> CHANCES ARE BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT 150 YEARS, A DEMOCRAT SITTING IN THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE INDICTED.

DOES THIS SET A PRECEDENT THAT YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SEAT EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE NOT BEEN CONVICTED IN A COURT OF LAW?

IS THAT A GOOD PRECEDENT TO SET?

>> I HOPE IT SETS A PRECEDENT WHEN WE TREAT OUR DEMOCRACY IT'S PERSONAL, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCE, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROFESSIONAL CONSEQUENCE.

LET'S HOPE THERE ARE CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCE FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR.

>> OKAY.

OUR NEXT TOPIC, THE OHIO SENATE HAS PUSHED ALL ITS CHIPS INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE.

OKAY, THAT METAPHOR IS ALREADY LEGAL IN OHIO.

THE SENATE THIS WEEK APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD MASSIVELY EXPAND LAWFUL GAMBLING IN OHIO.

THE MAIN GOAL IS TO ALLOW OHIO WANS TO ILLEGALLY BET ON SPORTS, BUT THE MEASURE GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.

IT WOULD ESTABLISH 58 LICENSES FOR BETTING ON ALL SPORTS.

SOME WOULD BE IN BUILDINGS, OTHERS WOULD TAKE PLACE ONLINE OR A SMART PHONE.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF SECOND TIER LICENSES FOR SPORTS BETTING KIOSKS FOR LIQUOR STORES AND BARS.

IT WOULD MAKE ELECTRIC BINGO AND COMPETITIVE GAMES.

CANDY CRUSH.

YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN LAWMAKERS HAD THEIR LAST FIGHT AGAINST LEGALIZED GAMBLE IN THE STATE JUST BEFORE THE CASINO AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED.

TAKE US BACK TO THAT AND HOW EXTRAORDINARY IS IT THAT THIS BILL HAS GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD BASICALLY TAKE ALL THE REIGNS OFF LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN OHIO?

>> IT'S A REALLY STUNNING DEVELOPMENT.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT EXPANSION OF GAMING, AND REALLY, IT TOOK THE CASINO TO TAKE IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO START MOVING ON IT.

AND EVEN AT THAT, THERE WAS A LOT OF CAUTION AROUND WHAT ARE THE GUARDRAILS, HOW DO WE PROTECT THE PUBLIC?

WHAT KINDS OF INVESTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE BY, YOU KNOW, WAY OF PUBLIC POLICY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO GAMBLE AND SO FORTH?

THERE WAS AN ACTUAL ROBUST DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, QUITE FRANKLY, THE TAKE TO THE STATE WAS PRETTY DRAMATIC.

IN THIS INSTANCE, THAT STANDARD A DECADE, NOW ANYBODY CAN DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION ON THEIR PHONES AND HAVE INSTANT ACCESS TO GAMING AND BARELY A PEEP ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS BY PUBLIC POLICY, HOW THIS IMPACTS OUR SOCIETY.

AND THE TAKE TO THE STATE IS A $20 MILLION.

IT'S REALLY STUNNING HOW THE SENATE HAS MANAGED TO SPREAD THE PEANUT BUTTER SO THINLY THAT EVERYBODY HAS A CUT.

AND THE PUBLIC WELFARE AND EVEN THE IMPACT TO THE STATE BUDGET IS BARELY EVEN DISCUSSED.

>> THAT IS THE THEORY BEHIND THIS BILL.

EVERYBODY GETS A LITTLE PIECE, RIGHT?

I THINK THE BIG SPORTS BOOKS, THE 58 LICENSES, THOSE ARE THE BIG DOGS.

BUT WE CAN HAVE KIOSKS IN EVERY PLACE THAT SELLS BOOZE.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, A BILL THAT GIVES PREFERENCE TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS, DOES THAT MEAN IN KAYOGA COUNTY, WILL THEY GET A SPORTS BETTING LICENSE IN THEY MIGHT BE LEFT OUT OF THAT.

YOU'LL HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER BUSINESSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS, THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE BILL.

SO IT'S KIND OF OFFERING SOMETHING TO EVERYONE.

BUT THEN IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE GROUPS, YOU MIGHT THINK, HEY, AM I GETTING ENOUGH OF THIS.

>> YES.

>> WHEN YOU SEE OPPOSITION, THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE OPPOSITION IS COMING FROM.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE THE BILL DOES LIMIT THE 58 LICENSES.

IT LIMITS HOW MANY CAN BE IN CERTAIN AREAS.

I THINK IT'S BASED ON 100,000 POPULATION.

FRANKLIN COUNTY MAY GET TWO.

THAT'S IT.

THEY GO TO THE CASINOS, THE NATIONWIDE ARENA, DO THEY GO TO THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT?

WHO KNOWS.

>>> MORGAN, THIS MONEY WOULD GO TO EDUCATION, THEY SAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTION, I THINK THE PROJECTION IS $23 MILLION.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PROJECTION?

IS THAT A GOOD -- IS THAT A GOOD INVESTMENT TO EXPAND GAMBLING TO HELP FUND OHIO SCHOOLS?

>> IT'S CLEAR THAT EDUCATION IS NOT THE FOCUS OF THIS EFFORT, RIGHT.

AND I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO PREFACE BIG PLAYERS WHAT JEREMY AND SHANNON IS GETTING AT.

EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO -- THEY'RE GETTING A LOT BETTER WITH LICENSE FEES, UPWARDS OF 100,000, A MILLION DOLLARS.

WHO CAN BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT?

I THINK THIS HAS REAL IMPLICATIONS THAT NOT ONLY WILL NOT ENABLE MEDIUM AND SMALL SIZE BUSINESSES COMPETE EFFECTIVELY, BUT ALSO PUBLIC HEALTH, INCREASING GAMBLING, AN ECONOMIC STRATEGY, JOBS ARE GOING TO BE MORE STABLE AND ALLOW PARENTS TO BE IN A BETTER PLACE TO SUPPORT THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE FROM OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

I'M NOT SURE FOCUSING ON SPORTS GAMBLING IS THE WAY TO GET THERE.

>> WHERE DO WE STAND ON BEING ABLE TO BET ON THE BUCKEYES, COLLEGE SPORTS?

IS THAT A PART OF THIS BILL, CINCINNATI, MIME, CLEVELAND STATE?

>> FRANKLY, I HAVEN'T BEEN FOLLOWING THE BILL TO KNOW WHERE IT STANDS.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE FALSE INFORMATION.

>> THAT IS AN ISSUE.

THERE IS SOME -- >> IT IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAVE TESTIFIED THAT THEY DON'T WANT BETTING TO BE ALLOWED ON THEIR SPORTS TEAMS.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK THERE WAS -- SHOULD LAWMAKERS DECIDE OHIO STATE IS SUBJECT TO THIS, OR SHOULD THE CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION.

SHANNON JONES, SHOULD COLLEGE SPORTS BE PART OF IT?

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE A SPORTS BOOK IS NOT GOING TO WANT THE BUCKEYES AS PART OF THEIR PORTFOLIO, SO TO SPEAK.

>> YEAH, IT'S CERTAINLY AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

AND WHAT I WOULD -- LOOK, I COME FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS OPPOSED GAMING.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CONSEQUENCE, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO OUR YOUNG CHILDREN AND, YOU KNOW, WHO LIVE IN FAMILIES WHO HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE ADDICTED.

BUT ALSO IN THIS INSTANCE, HOW YOUNG CHILDREN ARE RAISED ON THIS TECHNOLOGY NOW WITH A SMART PHONE.

AND SO HOW IS THAT IMPACTING THEIR BEHAVIORS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT COLLEGE SPORTS WHERE -- THERE ARE CERTAINLY YOUNG ADULTS.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND THE MESSAGE THAT WE'RE SENDING TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

>> OKAY.

OUR NEXT TOPIC, ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER SIGN OHIO IS RETURNING TO NORMAL.

OFFICIALLY OHIO'S COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY IS OVER.

IT ENDED FRIDAY.

15 MONTHS AND FOUR DAYS AFTER GOVERNOR DEWINE ISSUED IT.

ENDING IT IS MOSTLY SYMBOLIC, IT FORCES THE STATE TO RESTORE FINANCIAL PRACTICES, SOME OF WHICH WERE SUSPENDED DURING THE EMERGENCY.

THE VIRUS IS STILL OUT THERE.

OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, AN AVERAGE OF 14 OHIO WANS HAVE DIED FROM COVID.

OHIO STILL SEES 300 NEW CASES A DAY AND 43% OF OHIO'S POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S JUST BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

MORGAN, IS IT OKAY NOW?

IS IT TIME TO COME OUTSIDE?

IS THIS OVER?

ARE WE FREE?

>> IT'S A GOOD TIME TO COME OUTSIDE.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT INSIDE.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE SAW A LIMB LAR SITUATION LAST SUMMER, MINUS THE VACCINES.

THE VACCINES ARE A HUGE DEVELOPMENT THAT ENABLE US TO HAVE MORE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND BE ABLE TO SOCIALIZE.

IT IS SPREADING, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OPENING UP, PEOPLE WILL BE EXPOSED POTENTIALLY TO THOSE VARIANTS, BRING THEM BACK.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THE VACCINATIONS WILL BE MANAGED WHETHER PEOPLE NEED BOOSTER SHOTS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT.

AND SO I WOULD SAY THERE IS NEED FOR CAUTION.

THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT WITH THE CHANGE IN THE CDC GUIDANCE WITH THE OPENING UP, THERE IS LIKE ONE DAY PEOPLE WEARING MASKS, THE NEXT DAY NO MASKS.

IT'S NOT TOTALLY CLEAR HOW THIS WILL ALL PAN OUT, ESPECIALLY AS TEMPERATURES CHANGE WHEN WE GET INTO THE FALL.

BUT LET'S HOPE FOR THE BEST AND PREPARE FOR THE WORST, I GUESS.

>> JEREMY, THE VACCINE RATE IS BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

WE'RE BEHIND OTHER STATES THAT STARTED TO VACCINATE EVERYBODY MUCH LATER THAN OHIO DID.

WHAT'S -- ONE WEEK LEFT ON THE LOTTERY?

JUST ONE PRIZE LEFT.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT'S OVER?

HOW DOES THE GOVERNOR GET FOLKS TO GET THE SHOT?

>> WELL, AS HE HINTED ON FRIDAY, THAT THERE'S MORE PROMOTIONS AND IDEAS COMING.

HE DIDN'T GIVE -- HE SAID KIND OF WAIT AND SEE THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

ONE SPECULATION IS THAT HE IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO OFFER PROMOTIONS.

I KNOW A WHILE AGO, KRISPY KREME WAS OFFERING DOUGHNUTS FOR THE VACCINE.

IT'S JUST BEGINNING FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> MAYBE THEY'LL HAVE NEW CARS, NEW TRUCKS, LIKE A PRICE IS RIGHT.

COME ON DOWN, GET YOUR VACCINE AND YOU CAN WIN A NEW CAR.

SHANNON JONES, HOW ARE YOU FEELING THESE DAYS?

YOU'RE DOWN IN CINCINNATI AREA, IN SOUTHWEST OHIO.

WHAT'S THE FEELING DOWN THERE?

ARE PEOPLE SHEDDING THEIR MASKS AND GETTING BACK TO NORMAL?

>> I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE BEHAVING LIKE THEY DID PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

YOU DON'T SEE AS MANY MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING.

BUT YOU SEE SOME ON OCCASION AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO WEAR MASKS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK ACTUALLY PEOPLE ARE FEELING OPTIMISTIC, BUT I THINK THERE IS THIS UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE HESITANT TO GET THE VACCINES, TO GET THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

YOU KNOW, IN THE NEWS NOW WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THE VARIANTS COMING FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD THAT ARE MORE AND MORE CONCERNING.

THE VACCINE HAS BEEN ONE CONSTANT THAT ALLOWS US TO HOLD ON HOPE.

BUT WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF ADDRESSING THE HESITANCY THAT EXISTS WITH TOO MANY OHIO WANS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU OFFER AS AN INCENTIVE?

MAYBE INCENTIVE ISN'T THE RIGHT WORD.

WHAT STRATEGY WOULD YOU TAKE TO INCREASE THAT PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS WHO HAVE THE VACCINE?

>> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING.

WE DISCUSSED ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE THE ROLE INCENTIVES COULD PLAY.

OBVIOUSLY GOVERNOR DEWINE HAS BEEN FULL THROTTLE PURSUING THAT STRATEGY.

SO NOW IT'S TIME TO LOOK FOR THE NEXT -- IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE BUSINESSES THAT ARE WILLING TO MANDATE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES GET VACCINATED.

I NO HE THAT THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY OR MISUNDERSTANDING OF WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY ALLOWED.

IT LAZ BEEN CLARIFIED IT IS ALLOWED.

SO THAT COULD BE A REAL POINT OF LEADERSHIP FOR CORPORATE AMERICA TO SAY IF YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR JOB, YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED AND THAT IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO BEST PROTECT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH.

THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE OF FREEDOM OR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.

IT'S ACTUALLY WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO FUNCTION ECONOMICALLY AS A COUNTRY, AND THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE.

>> OKAY.

OUR FINAL TOPIC, THE STRUGGLE OVER ENERGY CONTINUES.

OLD, PROVEN, YET DIRTY SOURCES, AND NEW STILL DEVELOPING, BUT CLEANER SOURCES.

THE LATEST FIGHT LOOMS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE OHIO SENATE HAS PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO AT LEAST SLOW CONSTRUCTION OF WIND AND SOLAR FARMS.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS TO HOLD A LOCAL PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE APPLYING TO THE STATE FOR PERMISSION TO BUILD.

CRITICS SAY JUST ADDS A BUREAUCRATIC HURDLE FOR RENEWABLES AND NATURAL GAS DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE TO CLEAR.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT GIVES LOCAL LEADERS AND RESIDENTS A SAY OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

JEREMY, JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE TENSION BETWEEN THE NEW FORMS OF ENERGY AND THE OLD STAND BYES AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> YEAH, THIS IS A FIGHT THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND IT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR YEARS.

ACTUALLY SENATE BILL 52 GOES BEYOND THAT AND ALLOW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO ACTUALLY BAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE WIND OR SOLAR FARMS IN THEIR COUNTIES OR AT LEAST LIMIT THEM TO WHAT THEY CALL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS.

AND THIS IS A TOPIC THAT -- THIS IS A NEWBIE TOPIC, NOT A BACKYARD TOPIC.

ON THE ONE HAND, YOU WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE OPEN TO, IN THEORY, HAVE GREAT ENERGY PROJECTS WHICH BRING JOBS, BRINGS INVESTMENT INTO THE STATE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU LIVE NEXT TO A SOLAR OR WIND POWER AND FEEL THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SAY IN THAT CONSTRUCTION.

SO THIS TOPIC, THIS PARTICULAR BILL, IT'S PROPERTY TOGETHER A MOTLEY CREW OF OPPONENTS TO IT.

IT'S EVERYONE FROM THE GREEN ENERGY INDUSTRY YOU'D EXPECT, BUT ALSO BP, THE OIL FARM BUREAU, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, UTILITIES LIKE AEP.

SO IT'S NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL TRM IT'S TRADITIONAL AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT ON CAPITAL SQUARE.

>> IT REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER BILL THAT INVOLVES ENERGY AND REGULATION, HB-6.

>> HB-6 HAD A PRETTY SIMILAR PROVISION IN THIS FOR A WHILE.

BUT THEN THEY ENDED UP TAKING IT OUT.

>> SHOULDN'T FOLKS HAVE A SAY IF THEY DON'T WANT A HUGE SOLAR PHARMA CROSS THE STREET?

SHOULDN'T YOU HAVE A SAY ON THAT?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE FOCUSING -- IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE THIS HAPPENING, A REALITY THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING, THAT WE NEED TO BE AGGRESSIVELY ADDRESSING IT AND IT IS A REALLY BIG ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, SO CREATING THE INCENTIVE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

YES, PEOPLE HAVE SFL -- THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

IT ISN'T ALWAYS HELPFUL IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND GETTING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

>> SHANNON JONES, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

ARE FOLKS TRYING TO PROTECT WHAT'S IN THEIR BACKYARD OR IS IT OTHER ENERGY INTERESTS TRYING TO LIMIT THE COMPETITION FROM NEW ENERGY SOURCES?

>> WELL, I'M SURE -- ENERGY IS BIG BUSINESS, A COMBINATION.

IT'S KIND OF BEEN NEXT FRONTIER OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS CONVERSATIONS.

AND, YOU KNOW, JEREMY TALKS THE NIMBY, NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

THE TYPES OF PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS WOULD FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT -- IT'S ONE THING TO HAVE THE BOARD APPROVE A 50 MEGAWATT PROJECT IN A COMMUNITY.

IT'S ANOTHER THING, THEN, TO APPROVE A 150-MEGAWATT PROJECT NEXT TO ANOTHER NEXT TO ANOTHER NEXT TO ANOTHER IN THE SAME COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

THE QUESTION ALWAYS BECOMES HOW DO WE BALANCE ALL OF THE INTERESTS.

CERTAINLY THERE IS DEMAND FOR THIS KIND OF POWER OUT THERE.

WE IN THE STATE HAVE SPENT, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN A DECADE ON THE REGULATORY SCHEMING TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS KIND OF TECHNOLOGY.

IN FACT, WE INCENTIVIZED IT.

AND NOW WE HAVE THIS LAST HURDLE.

WE REALLY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE INTERESTS WITHOUT WORRYING WHAT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING IN THIS STATE.

>> THE TALL SHRUBS, YOU CAN'T SEE THE SOLAR PANELS.

OFFER THE RECORD PARTY SHOTS, SHANNON JONES, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> ONCE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE 15th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE BECAUSE IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, ABSENTEE VOTING IS GOING TO BEGIN.

AND I THINK WHAT WE REALLY SEE DEVELOPING IS WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW THE TRUMP ENDORSE.

VERSUS THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE PREVIOUS INCUMBENT VERSUS THE ENDORSEMENT OF PERHAPS THE PEOPLE, THE GRASSROOTS ARE GOING TO PLAY OUT IN THESE THREE DISTINCT CANDIDATES.

SO STAY TUNED.

THE 15th MIGHT TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION.

>> MORGAN, 15, 20 SECONDS.

>> I'M HAPPY TO HAVE A NEW HOLIDAY THAT'S GOING TO -- JUNETEENTH IS RECOGNIZED AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND IN THE STATE TO MARK THE TRUE END OF SLAVERY.

SO EXCITED TO HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THIS, LEARN ABOUT OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY AND HOPE THAT OUR LEADERS WILL TAKE THAT PAGE AS WELL AND SHARE THE MESSAGE BEHIND THIS.

>> JEREMY, TEN SECONDS, REAL QUICK.

>> I'D LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE CAPITAL REPORTERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE MARCH 2020, AND HOPEFULLY AFTER THE BUDGET PASSES AT THE END OF THE MONTH THEY'LL GET A BREAK.

>> YES, INDEED.

THAT IS COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD THIS WEEK.

WOSU.ORG/COTR.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.