>>> AN AUGUST, THE SPECIAL ELECTION MOVES CLOSER TO REALITY.

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

WE ARE A COUPLE STEPS CLOSER TO A SPECIAL AUGUST ELECTION.

THIS WEEK THE OHIO SENATE APPROVED PUTTING A QUESTION ON AN AUGUST BALLOT THAT WOULD ASK VOTERS IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CHANGE THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

IT WOULD REQUIRE A 60% MAJORITY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

IT ALSO MANDATES GETTING SIGNATURES FROM ALL OHIO COUNTIES, NOT JUST HALF AS IS REQUIRED NOW.

IT DOES NOT GIVE CITIZENS AN EXTRA TEN DAYS TO COLLECT SIGNATURES IF THEY FALL SHORT.

SENATE APPROVAL OF THIS WAS ALWAYS SORT OF A GIVEN.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THIS HAPPENS?

>> ABSOLUTELY THE SENATE WE THOUGHT WOULD PASS IT AND IT WAS FROM THERE THAT WE SAW THE AUGUST IDEA EMERGE.

SO THAT HAS PASSED AS WELL.

IN THE OHIO HOUSE, THERE ARE MANY ISSUES AROUND THAT.

LAST SESSION WHEN THIS EMERGED IN THE HOUSE, IT COULDN'T GET ENOUGH VOTES SO THEN SPEAKER DIDN'T PUT IT OUT TO THE FLOOR.

SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE THAT THERE IS A CONTINGENT OF REPUBLICANS IN THIS STATE WHO ARE LOOKING AT A 60% MEASURE AS THE GOVERNMENT INTRUSION.

THERE PARTICULARLY IS A GROUP OUT THERE THAT WANTS A MEDICAL FREEDOM AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD BAN VACCINE MANDATES OR LIMIT THEM.

THEY'VE BEEN COLLECTING SIGNATURES DILIGENTLY FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS TRYING TO GET ENOUGH.

AND THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN SITTING LAWMAKERS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO SUPPORTED THAT CONCEPT.

>> DOES THIS COME TO A VOTE?

IT COULD BACKFIRE DOWN THE ROAD.

PLUS, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE POPULAR WITH VOTERS, BUT IT IS AN AUGUST ELECTION.

>> ACCORDING TO A KEY SOURCE TOLD ME THIS AFTERNOON THEY NOW HAVE TODAY THE 60 VOTES SIGNED KIND OF IN BLOOD OR ON PAPER.

AS WE ALL KNOW IN POLITICS SOMETIMES WHAT'S PROMISED IS NOT ALWAYS DELIVERED.

I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION IS I THINK PROBABLY THIS IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN AUGUST AND THEN IT'S GOING TO BE ONE HECK OF A FIGHT.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT'S THE MESSAGE.

AS WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST INCLUDING BACK IN THE '80s ON THE SELECTION OF JUDGES, THEY HAD TV COMMERCIALS WITH CHAINS AND LOCKS AROUND VOTING BOOTHS SAYING YOU COULDN'T COME IN THERE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE THERE'S A MESSAGE CHALLENGE.

ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IT'S ALWAYS EASIER TO GET A NO VOTE THAN A YES VOTE.

>> IS THIS GOING TO BE AN INDICATOR OF THE STRENGTH OF THE ANTI-ABORTION RIGHTS FACTION LOBBY GROUP AT THE STATE HOUSE WHETHER THIS GETS ON THE BALLOT IN AUGUST?

>> I THINK THEY'VE CERTAINLY BEEN ONE OF THE MOST VOCAL VOICES FOR THIS PARTICULAR CHANGE TO TRY TO MAKE IT HARDER TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION POTENTIALLY IN NOVEMBER REGARDING ABORTION ACCESS IN THAT MEASURE.

WE SHALL SEE.

WE SPOKE WITH SPEAKER STEPHENS AFTER SESSION THIS PAST WEEK.

HE SAID IF IT'S ON THE FLOOR, HE WILL VOTE FOR IT.

BUT THEY WERE STILL COUNTING.

>> ARE GROUPS TAKING A STAND ON IT?

YOU OPPOSE IT.

>> THIS IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND LAWLESSNESS.

WE BEAT THEM FAIR AND SQUARE WITH THE RULES.

NOW THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE BEAT THEM FAIR AND SQUARE.

IT IS UNDEMOCRATIC TO WANT TO DO THIS.

ANY FORUM YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH, 50 PLUS ONE IS ENOUGH.

WHY DO WE NEED 60%?

YOU KNOW WHY?

THEY ARE AFRAID OF CITIZEN ACTION.

THEY ARE AFRAID OF CITIZENS COMING TOGETHER.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IT'S GOING TO HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME FOR TWO REASONS.

WE HAVE A REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL COMING UP.

WE HAVE SOME ANTI-ABORTION STUFF COMING UP.

IT'S NOT GOING TO SNEAK THROUGH.

WE KNOW IT'S COMING.

WE'RE GOING TO BE PREPARED.

>> TWO THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN.

THEY HAVE TO GET THIS ON THE BALLOT AND MAKE AUGUST ELECTIONS LEGAL AGAIN BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ILLEGAL.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TO SIGN THAT ONE.

>> RIGHT.

>> HE PLAYS NO ROLE IN THE RESOLUTION AND THE AMENDMENT PROCESS BUT HE HAS TO AGREE TO BRING BACK AUGUST ELECTIONS, SOMETHING HE SIGNED A LAW JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT MADE THEM ILLEGAL.

>> RIGHT.

THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED COURSE, I'LL SAY, ON THE ISSUE OF AUGUST ELECTIONS IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME IS SEEING SOME PUSHBACK FOR REPUBLICANS AT THE STATE HOUSE.

DEWINE IS SAYING HE WILL REVIEW THE BILL.

HE HAS NOT SAID HE'LL VETO IT OR WON'T.

BUT IT DOES COME WITH A $20 MILLION PRICE TAG, WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH IF THEY AUTHORIZE THIS.

>> ON THIS ISSUE OF THE SECOND BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ELECTION, THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE REFERENDUMABLE BUT MY SOURCES TELL ME THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TRY A REFERENDUM TO BLOCK THIS ON THE AUGUST BALLOT.

THEY WANT TO POUND IT IN THE GROUND BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY'VE GOT THE ABILITY TO DEFEAT IT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE CAPITAL BUDGET?

>> EVERY AMENDMENT HAS TO BE 60%, ALL THE BONDS, EVERYTHING.

MEANWHILE ADS ARE RUNNING ON TV SAYING THE ABORTION AMENDMENT WOULD LIMIT PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THAT HAS BROUGHT CRITICISM FROM ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS.

YOU WROTE A PIECE FACT CHECKING WHETHER OR NOT THIS AMENDMENT WOULD PRECLUDE PARENTS FROM PLAYING A ROLE IN ABORTION CARE OR CONTRACEPTIVE CARE OR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE OF MINOR CHILDREN.

>> I SPOKE WITH LAW PROFESSORS WHO SAID IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY IT WAS GOING TO REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT.

OHIO HAS A LAW THAT REQUIRES MEDICAL CONSENT FOR A NUMBER OF PROCEDURES, BUT THERE ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS OF THAT, FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU'RE EMANCIPATED OR GOT MARRIED YOUNG OR WENT TO THE MILITARY YOUNG, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT THE LAW PROFESSORS ARE SAYING IS MINORS ARE FREQUENTLY AFFORDED FEWER RIGHTS THAN ADULTS.

WE STILL PUT LIMITS ON HOW YOUNG SOMEONE COULD PURCHASE A GUN OR WHAT CHILDREN COULD SAY IN SCHOOL.

>> THE OPENING PHRASE IN THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SAYS EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

DOES THAT MEAN EVERY ADULT OR EVERY INDIVIDUAL INCLUDING 14, 15-YEAR-OLD GIRLS?

THERE'S GOING TO BE BIG DEBATE, LOTS OF TV COMMERCIALS OVER WHAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL MEANS.

THE OTHER TWO WORDS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE HUGE DEBATE ON IS REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS.

DOES THAT ONLY MEAN ABORTIONS OR DOES THAT MEAN OTHER THINGS?

AGAIN, DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFER.

>> WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE REASON THAT THEY'RE SHIFTING THE PARENTS' RIGHTS HERE, IS BECAUSE ABOUT 59% OF OHIOANS SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN SOME CASES, IN MOST OR ALL CASES, IN FACT.

ONLY ABOUT 7% OF OHIOANS SAY WE DON'T WANT ANY ABORTION RIGHTS.

>> PARENTAL RIGHTS DOES POLL MUCH BETTER THAN JUST BANNING ABORTION.

>>> NEXT TOPIC, A FLAT INCOME TAX FOR OHIO SEEMS DEAD, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

BACK IN FEBRUARY HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEVENS PROPOSED EVERY TAXPAYER PAY THE SAME RATE.

HE PROPOSED LOW AND HIGH INCOME TAXPAYERS WOULD PAY THE SAME 2.75%.

THAT HOUSE PLAN DOES CUT TAXES A LITTLE.

THE CUTS PRIMARILY BENEFIT THE LOWEST INCOME TAX BRACKETS.

>> AGAIN, A BIG BOLD TAX CUT PLAN SIMILAR TO ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX, THE FLAT TAX GOES NOWHERE.

WHY?

>> THAT WHOLE PLAN OF A FLAT TAX WAS BUILT ON THE IDEA OF STRIPPING AWAY THE REAL ESTATE ROLLBACKS.

THERE ARE AN AWFUL LOT OF HOMEOWNERS, SENIORS, SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE DEPENDENT UPON IT.

WHO WANTS TO GO BACK AND FACE REELECTION IN 2024 AND GET BLAMED FOR RAISING PROPERTY TAXES?

THAT'S WHY THEY MADE THE ADJUSTMENT.

IT'S INTERESTING THIS MARKUP CAME OUT OF THE COMMITTEE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT SEEMS LIKE JAY EDWARDS HAS MADE THEM UNIFIED SO FAR RIGHT NOW.

>> THESE ARE MODEST TAX CUTS.

IT DOES GO FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

THE NO TAX BRACKET GETS A LITTLE WIDER.

YOU HAVE TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

>> I'M NOT IN SUPPORT OF IT, BECAUSE IT'S A CAMOUFLAGE FOR CONTINUAL STRIPPING OF OUR TAX RESOURCES FROM THE STATE OF OHIO.

WE'VE BEEN GIVING CORPORATIONS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RICH ALL THESE BREAKS.

WE'VE RIPPED THE RESOURCES OUT OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

OUR LARGEST REVENUE SOURCE IS SALES TAX.

THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE IN TODAY'S WORLD.

WHAT COULD BE MUCH MORE REGRESSIVE THAN SALES TAX?

WE HAVE ALL THESE BILLIONAIRES AND CORPORATIONS WHO ARE NOT PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

IN FACT, MOST OF THEM PAY ZERO.

>> JESSIE, SHOULD THE SENATE GO BOLDER WITH THE TAX CUTS OR BASICALLY SIGN OFF ON THE HOUSE PLAN?

>> I'M SURE THE SENATE WON'T BE SIGNING OFF WHOLESALE ON ANYTHING THAT THE HOUSE PASSES OVER THERE.

THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY POINT.

STAY TUNED ON THESE INCOME TAX CUTS BECAUSE I THINK WE'LL SEE A COUPLE MORE VARIATIONS BEFORE IT IS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.

>> JOHN KASICH'S BIG DREAM WAS TO ELIMINATE THE INCOME TAX GRADUALLY OVER YEARS, BE LIKE FLORIDA, TEXAS, NEW HAMPSHIRE EVEN.

IS THAT ANYWHERE IN OUR FUTURE?

>> I JUST THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT IN OUR STATE FOR REASONS TERRY'S POINTING OUT.

YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE THAT'S TRYING TO DO NO TAX INCREASES.

SO THEY CAN'T RAISE IT ELSEWHERE WHEN THEY CUT IT THERE AND MEET THEIR PLEDGE.

IT JUST MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET RID OF A MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME.

>> ROLE OF PARENTS IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION HAS BECOME A POLITICAL FIGHT.

OF COURSE, EVERY TEACHER WANTS A FAMILY THAT SUPPORTS THE STUDENT AND CONTINUES THE LEARNING AT HOME.

BUT A LOT OF PARENTS DEMAND MORE OF A SAY IN WHAT LESSONS ARE TAUGHT AND WHAT BOOKS ARE IN THE LIBRARY.

AT THE STATE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE INTRODUCED THE PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENTS' PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH PARENTS.

AS REPORTED BY THE DISPATCH, LAWMAKERS HAVE ELIMINATED THE PROVISION THAT WOULD ALLOW TEACHERS TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION IF IT WOULD RESULT IN ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

WHAT IS THE PROPER ROLE OF PARENTS WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION POLICY AND HOW THEIR KIDS ARE TREATED IN SCHOOL?

>> I THINK PARENTS AND BEING A PARENT, HAVING GONE THROUGH THAT PROCESS, SHOULD HAVE A RECOMMENDING ROLE, BUT NOT A CONTROLLING ROLE.

PLANNING PATHWAYS TO OUR CHILDREN IS A SKILL THAT'S PROFESSIONAL.

PARENTS SOMETIMES HAVE TOO MANY BIASES THAT DON'T MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS, AGAIN, WHAT I WOULD CALL LAWLESSNESS ON THE PART OF REPUBLICANS.

WHO SAYS THIS WAS A PROBLEM?

WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE STATE OF OHIO, BUT NOBODY SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM.

HOW THIS CAME ABOUT IS BECAUSE WE ARE ORGANIZED, THE REPUBLICANS, AND GOT OUR PEOPLE ELECTED TO THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD.

ONCE WE GOT OUR PEOPLE ELECTED TO THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD, POLICIES CHANGED.

NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR PEOPLE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES.

I MEAN, THEY ALWAYS WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES WHEN WE PLAY BY THE RULES AND WIN.

>> IS THIS REALLY A PROBLEM?

ARE THERE MANY CASES OF STUDENTS BEING COUNSELLED IN SCHOOLS AND NOT TELLING THE PARENTS OR THE PARENTS BEING UNAWARE OF ISSUES GOING ON?

>> THERE ARE CERTAINLY CHALLENGES BECAUSE OHIO HAS 600 DIFFERENT SCHOOL PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS ARE IMPORTANT AS FAR AS VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT CLEARLY IT'S BECOME A BIT OF A POLITICAL FOOTBALL BUT THE REALITY IS THEY'VE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU NEED BOTH.

AT TIMES THE EDUCATIONAL BUREAUCRACY LIKE AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, SOMETIMES THEY GET A LITTLE ARROGANT AND OUT OF CONTROL.

THEY BOTH HAVE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER.

THAT'S THE KEY THING.

>> ONE SAYS YOU HAVE TO NOTIFY THE PARENT EVEN IF THERE'S A CHANCE THE CHILD COULD BE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED BY NOTIFYING THE PARENT OF THIS COUNSELLING.

THE DEFENDERS SAY YOU ALSO HAVE TO REPORT THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO PHONE CALLS.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN IT'S PUTTING ANOTHER BURDEN ON TEACHERS WHO ALREADY ARE HAVING TO DO LESSON PLANS.

SUPPORTERS WANT THEM SORT OF OUT OF PARENTS' LIVES.

CHILDREN HAVE TEACHERS, COACHES, CHURCHES AND ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES THAT MIGHT HAVE A ROLE.

IT'S UP TO THE PARENTS ULTIMATELY TO SORT OF SIFT ALL THAT AT HOME AND HELP THEIR KIDS FIGURE THE WORLD OUT.

>> IS THIS BECAUSE GLENN YOUNGKIN IN VIRGINIA WON ON A PARENTS' RIGHTS MESSAGE?

ARE POLITICIANS FIGURING THIS IS ONE WAY TO APPEAL TO SUBURBAN FOLKS THEY LOST DURING THE DONALD TRUMP YEARS?

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY ONE POSSIBILITY.

IT'S A SITUATION WHERE THIS TYPE OF LANGUAGE HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL CHOICE, PARENTS' RIGHTS, LIKE REALLY EMPOWERING THESE PARENTS TO BE MAKING ALL OF THE DECISIONS VERSUS GOVERNMENT.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE RULES FOR REASONS.

>> IT'S COMING AT THIS TIME WHEN SCHOOLS WERE KIND OF IN THE CROSS HAIRS HERE BECAUSE THEIR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS ARE VIEWED BY PEOPLE ON THE POLITICAL RIGHT AS PREACHING A CERTAIN POSITION.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS WERE GETTING GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS.

THEY WERE ALLOWING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS ONTO ATHLETIC TEAMS.

WE'RE SEEING A WHOLE HOST OF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO COUNTER THAT.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

THERE'S NO SUBSTANTIVE REASON TO DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THEY'RE DOING IT FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

OUR EDUCATIONAL PROCESS HAS A LOT OF NEEDS FOR IMPROVEMENT, BUT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE AREAS THAT'S A PROBLEM.

IT'S FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO WANT TO HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF THEIR KIDS.

THAT'S LESS THAN 5% OF PARENTS.

>> WHAT IF THERE IS AN EXTREME CASE BEING TAUGHT THAT PARENTS THINK IS CLEARLY OFFENSIVE?

DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY I DON'T WANT THAT?

>> WHO DECIDES THAT?

BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA, YOU CAN NO LONGER READ BALDWIN OR ARISTOTLE.

I CAN GO ON ON THE NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PROFOUND IN HISTORY WHO ARE GAY.

NOW YOU CAN'T READ THOSE PEOPLE?

BEETHOVEN, YOU WANT ME TO COMPLETE THE LIST?

>> THIS WEEK, CLEVELAND BUSINESSMAN BERNIE MORENO ENTERED THE RACE TO TAKE ON DEMOCRAT SHERROD BROWN.

HE JOINS MATT DOLAN.

HE EMBRACES FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

DOLAN NOT SO MUCH.

MORENO RAN IN 2022 BUT DROPPED OUT AFTER MEETING WITH DONALD TRUMP.

TRUMP HAS BEGIN HIM A KIND OF PREENDORSEMENT SAYING HE COULD BE HARD TO BEAT.

IS BERNIE MORENO GOING TO BE TOUGH TO BEAT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

>> HIS PROBLEM IS HE'S UNKNOWN AND UNDEFINED.

THE GOOD NEWS IS HE'S GOT MONEY.

I'VE MET AND TALKED WITH HIM A COUPLE TIMES.

HE'S A VERY BRIGHT GUY, BUT HE'S GOT TO FIGURE OUT HIS MESSAGE TO WIN.

SHERROD BROWN IS WEAK AND HAS PROBLEMS.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED WHEN HE WAS 22 YEARS OLD.

HE'S A CAREER POLITICIAN.

HE'S BEEN THERE A LONG TIME.

THE PUBLIC IS NOT HAPPY WITH CAREER POLITICIANS.

IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

I PREDICT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS A LOT MORE.

SOMETIMES THEY LIKE CAREER POLITICIANS AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.

>> DO YOU EXPECT THIS FIELD TO BE AS CROWDED AS 2022 WHEN ROB PORTMAN ANNOUNCED HE WASN'T RUNNING.

IT WAS AN OPEN SEAT.

THIS IS STILL SHERROD BROWN INCUMBENT, POPULAR POLITICIAN.

IT'S NOT QUITE AS CLEAR A PATH.

>> RIGHT.

SO IN A WORD, NO.

THAT WAS A REALLY KIND OF FREE FOR ALL AS WE SAW LAST TIME BECAUSE IT WAS AN OPEN SEAT ON BOTH SIDES.

EVERYBODY KNEW THERE WASN'T AN INCUMBENCY FACTOR THERE.

THIS TIME WE HAVE A VERY WELL KNOWN, MULTIPLY TIME ELECTED INCUMBENT.

MORENO HIMSELF TOLD ME LAST WEEK THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE FIELD WAS GOING TO BE AS LARGE.

HE PREDICTED MAYBE FRANKLIN ROSE WOULDN'T EVEN GET IN, WHICH IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE I THINK FRANKLIN ROSE SAID HE MIGHT WANT TO GET IN.

YEAH.

IT WILL BE A HANDFUL.

>> IF YOU READ FRANK ROSE'S TWITTER FEED, HE MENTIONS SHERROD BROWN QUITE A LOT.

SEEMS TO BE AN INDICATION HE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING RUNNING.

>> I THINK HE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT.

DOES HE RUN IN A LANE TRYING TO WIN THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT?

DOES BERNIE MORENO HAVE THAT ENDORSEMENT LOCKED UP?

IS HE TRYING TO RUN AS A MODERATE AND TRY TO TAKE VOTES FROM MATT DOLAN, FOR EXAMPLE?

WHICH VOTERS ARE YOU GOING AFTER.

>> WHICH REPUBLICAN HAS A BEST CHANCE AGAINST SHERROD BROWN?

WHICH CANDIDATE WOULD HE FEAR THE MOST, SAM?

>> I'M NOT SURE, BECAUSE I'M FUZZY ON WHO'S GOING TO DO THIS.

SHERROD BROWN IS GOING TO BE A CAUSE CELEBRE FOR DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS.

WE ARE GOING TO RALLY AROUND HIM AND FIGHT TO GET HIM ELECTED BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR OHIO.

HE ONLY WON BY 7% LAST TIME.

BUT THE ATMOSPHERE IN THIS STATE IS CHANGING.

BOY, I LOVE THE ROE RULING, BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING -- HOW FAR ARE WE GOING TO GO ON ABORTION?

WE'RE GOING TO RUN THAT SUCKER ALL THE WAY TO THE PRESIDENCY AND GET RID OF AS MANY REPUBLICANS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE APPRECIATE THAT GIFT.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WANTED A DEMOCRAT.

NOW YOU'RE SAYING ALL THIS WE STUFF.

>> I'M A LIBERAL.

>> OKAY.

>> HOW DOES THIS SHAKE OUT?

IF THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR CANDIDATES, THEN THE ONE WHO'S THE MOST PRO-TRUMP CANDIDATE COULD SNEAK IN, LIKE JD VANCE KIND OF DID LAST TIME.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS FRANK ROSE HAS TO LOOK AT IS THE TWO WHO ANNOUNCED ARE BOTH MILLIONAIRES.

BOTH OF THEM CAN WRITE BIG CHECKS.

IT'S DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE,BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A LOT.

MUCH IS GOING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT MAY OR MARCH.

I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE ELECTION IS GOING TO BE.

>> THE DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR OHIO LAWMAKERS TO ACT ON A PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN OHIO.

THEY HAVE UNTIL MAY 3rd TO PASS THE PROPOSAL OR SUPPORTERS WILL BEGIN TO COLLECT SIGNATURES TO GET THE ISSUE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

IT WOULD ALLOW ANYONE OVER 21 TO BUY AND HAVE MARIJUANA.

THOSE PURCHASES WOULD BE TAXED AT 10%.

LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING STREAMLINING GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT OF THE STATE'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA SYSTEM.

JESSIE, WHAT IS THE APPETITE?

YOU TALKED TO MATT HUFFMAN THIS WEEK.

HE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE WANTS TO MOVE ON THIS AT ALL.

>> THERE IS NO APPETITE FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN THE OHIO LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS PREDOMINANTLY REPUBLICAN AT THIS JUNCTURE.

MATT HUFFMAN SAID AS LONG AS HE WAS IN CONTROL, IT WAS NOT GOING TO COME UP FOR A VOTE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT IF THEY REACH A DEAL WITH THOSE FOLKS AND HAVE MORE CONTROL OF THE RECREATIONAL POT INDUSTRY, THAT MIGHT RATHER THAN JUST GIVE ALL THE POWER TO WHATEVER'S IN THIS AMENDMENT.

>> I THINK WE'VE SEEN BEFORE WHEN THERE ARE INITIATIVE EFFORTS THAT HAVE FORCED THE OHIO LEGISLATURE TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND MAYBE THEY WERE DISINCLINED TO GO FORWARD ON BEFORE.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS VERY STRONG IN OPPOSITION OF THIS.

I THINK THE AG IS TOO.

I MIGHT SUMMARIZE IT.

I'M NOT SURE THERE'S A LOT OF HOPE FOR DOPE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT COMING OUT OF NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES SAYING PEOPLE DOING TOO MUCH MARIJUANA IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST THING.

>> POLLS SHOW MOST PEOPLE WANT IT.

THERE HAVE BEEN CASES AS WITH BOOZE AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF PROBLEMS, BUT THE WORLD HASN'T ENDED IN THOSE STATES.

>> WE'VE SEEN IT LIBERALIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY MOSTLY MEDICALLY.

THERE ARE RECREATIONAL STATES.

THE NUMBER OF THOSE IS GROWING.

THE ISSUE MIGHT BE GENERATIONAL AS YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE COMING UP, THEY'RE SUPPORTING IT MORE.

SO I THINK, AGAIN, OUR CONSTITUTION WILL BE A TARGET FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET WHAT THEY WANT AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> THAT'S EARTH TWO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

ON EARTH ONE, PEOPLE HAVE MOVED BEYOND THESE CHAOTIC OLD ISSUES.

WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE ONTO THE NEW WORLD, NOT THE OLD WORLD.

IT'S GOING TO COME, LIKE GAMBLING, LIKE ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT EVERYBODY TRIED TO OPPOSE UNTIL THEY GOT SOME OF THE MONEY.

WHEN THEY GET A PIECE OF CHANGE, IT'S OKAY FOR IT TO GO.

>> YOU MENTION ALL THE FOLKS OPPOSED.

ISN'T IT BETTER IF IT'S COMING, WHY NOT -- LIKE CASINOS CAME AND THEY HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT.

WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO SAY LET'S DO THIS BUT WE WANT MORE CONTROL?

>> THAT'S A NICE THEORY.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS FAIRLY SMALL AND MARGINAL.

IT'S MORE ABOUT PEOPLE LOOKING TO SEE SOME OF THESE STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED FOR RECREATIONAL, HAS IT REALLY WORKED OUT.

THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL ISSUES AS FAR AS BANKING AND MONEY.

>> SAM GRESHAM, PARTING SHOT?

>> ON EARTH TWO, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE FROM EARTH ONE.

AMERICA IS MOVING ON ON ISSUES.

WE ARE STILL IN THE DARK AGES WITH SOME OF THESE IDEAS.

PRAY FOR ME.

>> LESS THAN A HALF BLOCK FROM RIGHT HERE AT THE NEW STUDIOS, THERE WAS A MURDER EARLIER TODAY.

COLUMBUS'S MURDER RATE IS, I THINK, OUT OF CONTROL, OVER 50 MURDERS SO FAR.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE 15-YEAR PERIOD 2005 TO 2020 COLUMBUS AVERAGED 106 MURDERS.

IN 2021 WE WERE AT 206.

WE'RE NOT AT A GOOD PATH.

I DON'T THINK THE MAYOR'S PLANS OF HOPING AND TALKING ABOUT THE CAUSES OF CRIME IS SOLVING THINGS.

>> JULIE?

>> HUGE NEWS WEEK COMING UP.

WE'RE WATCHING FOR THE HOUSEHOLDER AND BORGES TRIAL AND WE'LL HAVE A STATE BUDGET.

>> JESSIE?

>> ELON MUSK MADE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO REMOVE THE BLUE CHECKMARKS, INCLUDING FROM ONE GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE THIS WEEK.

HE NOW HAS A GRAY GOVERNMENT CHECKMARK.

>> THEY FINALLY REMOVED ALL THE DISCLAIMERS ON NPR.

IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, BUT POLITICS IN A PINT IS COMING BACK.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE BEFORE TIMES ANN FISHER AND I WILL HOST A FUN NIGHT OF POLITICAL DISCUSSION AT SEVENTH SON BREWING ON NORTH 4th STREET THURSDAY MAY 11th AT 6:00 IN THE EVENING.

GET YOUR TICKETS AT WOSU.ORG/EVENTS.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF REQUESTS TO BRING THIS BACK.

SHOULD BE A GOOD TIME.

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

WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

FOLLOW US THERE.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH US AT OUR WEBSITE WOSU.ORG OR ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

I'M MIKE THOMPSON .

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.