>>> NEXT STEP ON ABORTIONS AND MARIJUANA.

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

IMA MATTHEW RAND SITTING IN FOR MIKE THOMPSON.

THE STRONGEST OPPONENTS TO ABORTION RIGHTS ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GO AROUND THE VOTER APPROVED AMENDMENT THAT GUARANTEES THOSE RIGHTS.

A SMALL GROUP OF LAWMAKERS HAS PROPOSED A LAW THEY SAY WOULD STRIP OHIO JUDGES OF THEIR POWER TO INTERPRET THE ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE OHIO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEPHENS CITED A POWER OF SEPARATION LESSONS WE ALL LEARNED ON "SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK."

HE'S NOT SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE ISSUE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE OHIO SUPREME COURT WILL BE LOOKING AT THE SIX-WEEK ABORTION BAN.

JO INGLES, LET'S START WITH YOU.

GIVE US THE OVERVIEW OF THIS PROPOSAL TO STRIP THE COURT AWAY FROM THEIR POWERS.

THE.

>> SURE.

LAST WEEK AFTER THE DECISION WAS MADE BY VOTERS, YOU KNOW, THE SIDE THAT OPPOSED ISSUE ONE CAME OUT.

THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE FLOATED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF HURT.

ERIN BAHER WHO WERE PRESIDENT OF CITIZENS OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUE WAS HEART BROKEN.

THERE WAS A LOT OF EMOTION.

SOME PEOPLE CAME OUT AND SAID LET'S BURY THEM.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE SAID LET'S TAKE ALL THE AUTHORITY AWAY FROM THE COURTS TO DEAL WITH THE ABORTION AMENDMENT.

AND WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT IS STEPHENS, HIS COMMENT CAME WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THAT.

THERE IS SEPARATION OF POWERS IN THE CONSTITUTION AND HE CALLED IT "SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK" KIND OF STUFF BECAUSE YOU CAN'T REALLY HAVE THAT.

NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT OPPOSED ISSUE ONE ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS THAT THEY CAN TRY TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE EFFECTIVE CHANGE, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING BACK TO VOTERS ANY TIME SOON TO DO ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT THEY WILL TRY TO PASS LAWS THAT WILL MAYBE HELP WITH OTHER AREAS THAT THEY HAD RELAYED.

>> THAT'S A CHANGE FROM WHAT WE HEARD BEFORE THE ELECTION?

>> IT IS.

IT IS.

BEFORE THE ELECTION REMEMBER GOVERNOR DeWINE WAS COMING BACK SAYING, HEY, VOTERS, IF YOU VOTE DOWN THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE HEARTBEAT BILL OR THE SIX-WEEK BAN, WHATEVER WE'RE CALLING IT THESE DAYS, THAT'S SITTING OUT THERE IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT AND IF YOU'LL APPROVE THAT, THEN WE WILL AT INCEST EXCEPTIONS OR AT LEAST LOOK AT ADDING THOSE.

WE'RE NOT SURE THEY COULD HAVE.

THERE WERE PROMISES MADE BUT IT PASSED BY ALMOST THE SAME AMOUNT THAT IT PASSED IN MICHIGAN.

NOW WE HAVE ABORTION RIGHTS ENSHRINED IN OHIO'S CONSTITUTION STARTING DECEMBER 6th OR 7th.

7th I THINK IT IS.

>> BOB CLEGG, I WANTED TO ASK YOU, WHERE DID THE RANK OR -- THIS IS FOUR LAWMAKERS OPPOSING THIS IDEA.

IS THIS THE MAJORITY VIEW IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

WHERE DOES THE LEADERSHIP STAND?

>> WHAT JO JUST SAID, AFTER THE ELECTION THERE WAS A LOT OF EMOTION THAT CAME OUT AND I THINK SOME OF THESE MEMBERS WERE SPEAKING NOT FROM THEIR HEAD BUT FROM THEIR HEART.

I THINK SPEAKER STEPHENS PRETTY MUCH SAID THIS IS GOING NOWHERE.

I PERSONALLY HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE COURTS DOING THIS.

IN FACT, I LIKE THE IDEA THAT THE ULTIMATE ARBITRATOR IS GOING TO BE THE OHIO SUPREME COURT.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THEM MAKING DECISIONS ON HOW THE LAWS THAT WE PREVIOUSLY -- THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT.

THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT VARIOUS LAWS THAT WE HAVE PASSED PREVIOUSLY AND HOW THE PASSAGE OF THIS AMENDMENT WILL AFFECT THOSE LAWS.

AND I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY THE BEST BODY TO DO THAT.

>> BRIAN ROTHENBERG, I'LL ASK THE SAME OF YOU.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS FROM YOUR SIDE OF SNINGS.

>> I'M JUST A BILL, I DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

IT SETTLED DOWN.

HOPEFULLY IT WAS THROUGH THE MATURITY OF THE LEADERSHIP THERE.

I DO BELIEVE WHEN THE DUST SETTLED AND THEY LOOKED AT THE ACTUAL POLLING ON THIS, THAT THE POLLING WAS OVERWHELMING THAT IT WAS EVEN DRIVING THE U.S. SENATE RACE WHERE SHERROD BROWN'S NUMBERS WENT UP BECAUSE OF THIS VOTE.

I THINK COOLER HEADS PREVAILED BECAUSE THEY REALIZED WE CAN'T DO THIS IN 2024.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BAD POLITICAL YEAR IF WE DO.

>> LAURA BISCHOFF, DOES IT SURPRISE YOU TO SEE THIS PROPOSAL BUT THEN THE OVER ARCHING MAYBE COOLING OFF OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THE COOLING OFF PROBABLY HAPPENED AFTER THIS STORY MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES.

IT WAS EVEN "THE GUARDIAN."

IT GAVE OHIO A BLACK EYE.

IT IS BASIC CIVICS.

THREE CO-EQUAL GROUPS OF GOVERNMENT.

JUST SAYING, OKAY, THE JUDICIARY CANNOT DO THIS SECTION IS KIND OF SILLY.

THESE PEOPLE ARE -- SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, NOT JUST THE PARTS THAT THEY LIKE.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT STEP, JO, WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHING IN ON ALL OF THIS?

>> WELL, THE SUPREME COURT HAS ASKED THE PARTIES INVOLVED TO WEIGH IN ON HOW THEY THINK THAT THIS NEW AMENDMENT SHOULD AFFECT THE SIX-WEEK BAND.

THE FEDERAL COURT IS LOOKING AT TRANSFER AGREEMENTS WHICH ARE WRITTEN AGREEMENTS THAT AMBULATORY CLINICS THAT PROVIDE ABORTION MUST HAVE WITH HOSPITALS.

IT'S SOMETHING AND THAT CASE IS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR THE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO COME BACK AND SAY HOW THEY THINK THAT NEW CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AFFECTS THOSE LAWS.

AND THEY WILL -- THEN THEY'LL TAKE IT IN THEIR OWN HANDS AND PRESUMABLY MAKE A DECISION.

KIND OF IN THE COURT.

>> KIND OF IN THE COURT.

A LOT OF THIS REALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE SORT OF PROCEDURAL THINGS THAT THE COURTS HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON?

>> CORRECT.

CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

OHIO'S NEW VOTER APPROVED LEGAL MARIJUANA LAW GOES INTO EFFECT EARLY NEXT MONTH, THAT IS UNLESS STATE LAWMAKERS CHANGE IT.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS BUT THERE IS SOME DISAGREEMENT ON THE TIMING.

MATT HUFFMAN AND GOVERNOR DeWINE ARE PUSHING FOR CHANGES.

JASON STEPHENS SAYS HE'S IN NO RUSH.

THE SPEAKER SAYS THE CHANGES CAN COME AT A LATER DATE.

SALES WILL NOT START UNTIL WELL INTO 2024.

BRIAN ROTHENBERG, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THE PASSAGE OF THIS ISSUE.

THIS DID NOT GET AS MUCH ATTENTION AS ISSUE ONE DID.

>> IT DIDN'T.

IT DIDN'T MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS THAT THE MARIJUANA BILL JUST TRAILED VERY SLIGHTLY FROM ISSUE ONE.

SO, I MEAN, IT CROSSED PARTY LINES.

ON BOTH SIDES OF IT.

IT IS NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT IS AN INITIATED STATUTE WHICH WE HAVEN'T HAD IN A LONG TIME SO THEY CAN CHANGE ASPECTS OF IT.

I THINK VERY CLEARLY OHIOANS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

SO THE ISSUE REALLY BECOMES HOW YOU'RE ENFORCING IT.

I THINK THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THE PROFITS GO TO, PUTTING THEM INTO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL JAILS.

SOME FOLKS THE THC CONTENT, IF THEY WANT TO LOWER THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IF YOU WANT TO GET MORE.

THEY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, TOO, ABOUT TINKERING IT.

LE THIS LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU HAVE THE FULL STATE OF OHIO VOTING ON AN ISSUE AND THEY MAKE A DETERMINATION, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE FULL STATE OF OHIO.

IT'S JUST -- YOU CAN'T JUST KEEP THUMBING YOUR NOSE AT THE STATE AND ITS VOTERS.

>> I'M CURIOUS HOW MUCH OF A CHANGE LAWMAKERS ARE ABLE TO MAKE.

LAURA, YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE?

>> IF THEY WANT TO, THEY CAN DO THE FULL REPEAL.

IT'S THE OHIO CODE CONSTANTLY REVISING.

THEY DO RUN THE RISK IF THEY'RE DOING MORE THAN TWEAKING, IF THEY UNDO OR UNRAVEL LARGE PORTIONS OR EVEN WERE TO REPEAL IT, THAT WOULD UNDO THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, AS BRIAN SAYS.

YOU DO THAT AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

I THINK THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO DO SOME CHANGES, SOME MINOR CHANGES.

I THINK WHAT'S REALLY ESSENTIAL OR KEY IS WHAT THEY DO WITH THE TAX RATE.

BECAUSE IF THE TAX RATE IS JACKED UP TOO HIGH, THEN THE BLACK MARKET AND ALL THOSE TRIPS TO MICHIGAN WILL CONTINUE SO PEOPLE CAN GET MARIJUANA AT A LOWER COST.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION, TOO, ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THAT TAX MONEY AS WELL.

>> RIGHT.

THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT DIVERTING SOME OF THE TAX MONEY TO BUILDING JAILS OR DOING POLICE TRAINING.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S LIKE A NEW POOL OF MONEY SO THERE'S ALL KINDS OF IDEAS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT SHOULD BE USED FOR.

IT'S MOSTLY PRESCRIBED THOUGH IN THE LAW THAT THE VOTERS JUST VOTErd ON.

>> BOB CLEGG, AS WE HEARD OTHERS SAY, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DID CUT ACROSS PARTY LINES.

>> SURE.

>> WHERE -- WHAT'S THE LINE THAT GOP LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO BE WALKING HERE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN PARTIES, VOTERS ARE HAPPY WITH THE FINAL PRODUCT?

>> YEAH.

I WORKED ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN 2015 TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND WE DIDN'T GET IT PASSED.

THERE WERE OTHER -- >> BUDGET TIME?

>> WHEN WE DID IT BACK IN 2015 WE HAD A VERY SMALL GROUP THAT WERE ELIGIBLE TO BE THE GROWERS AND THAT CAUSED A PROBLEM.

SO IT DIDN'T GET APPROVED.

THIS TIME -- AND THIS IS THE ONE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS.

WHILE THE ACTUAL SALES OF MARIJUANA IS NOT GOING TO OCCUR FOR QUITE A WHILE BECAUSE THEY BUT STARTING DECEMBER 7th YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE GROWING MARIJUANA IN THEIR HOMES SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A -- A -- YOU KNOW, A RUSH ON GROW LIGHTS AND POTTING SOIL AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> IT'S A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME.

LAURA?

>> I THINK IT'S AKIN TO LIKE HOME BREWING.

>> YEAH.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY INTO IT AS A HOBBY, I THINK THEY'LL GROW THEIR OWN, BUT IT'S -- I THINK IT'S HARD TO -- IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

>> BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, LAURA, IF THE STATE -- WE HAVE SOME PAST WE CAN LOOK AT.

THE STATE DRAGGED THEIR FEET ON THAT MEDICAL SIDE AND THEY DID THE MEDICAL SIDE BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID IN 2015.

THEY HEARD OUR MESSAGING.

THEY WENT AHEAD WITH IT BUT THEY DRAGGED THEIR FEET DOING IT.

IF THEY DRAGGED THEIR FEET WITH IMPLEMENTING THIS -- >> SURE.

>> YEAH, PEOPLE ARE REALLY GOING TO GROW.

I DON'T KNOW YET IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT OR NOT.

I THINK WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT, LAURA WAS TALKING ABOUT ON THE TAX RATES, I THINK THAT WAS THE BIG THING THEY WANTED TO GO AFTER.

I THINK THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DECIDE, THE LEGISLATURE, HOW THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO.

>> THEY HAD A CHANCE TO DECIDE ALL OF THIS.

>> THE PEOPLE -- THERE'S A BALANCE.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THIS INDUSTRY IS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW BANK WILLING SYSTEMS TO BE INVOLVED.

THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH OF THE WILD WEST AND IT'S GOING TO BECOME A PROBLEM AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN SOLVE.

>> THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW IF, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN MUCH MOVEMENT ON THAT FRONT.

>> THERE WAS A BILL ON THE FEDERAL A LEVEL.

>> AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT OFF THE SCHEDULE WHERE IT WOULD PROHIBIT USE OF BANKING SYSTEMS.

>> AND WITH MORE AND MORE STATES DOING THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO.

I MEAN, I THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO HALF THE STATES NOW ARE LEGALIZING MARIJUANA SO, I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT TO GET WITH IT.

>> YOU SEO HIGH OWE IS BEING A TIPPING POINT ON THIS?

>> OH, YEAH.

WE'RE THE SEVENTH LARGEST STATE IN POPULATION.

I MEAN, MY GOSH, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, MOVING ON.

THE POLLS HAD BARELY CLOSED LAST WEEK WHEN NEW POLITICAL ADS SHOWED UP ON OHIO'S TELEVISION.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS NOT MADE AN ENDORSEMENT.

LOCAL LEADERS IN EAST PALESTINE HAVE ENDORSED MATT DOLAN.

THEY PRAISED DOLAN FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE TRAIN DERAILMENT.

OHIO'S PRIMARY IS MARCH 19th.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

BOB, I'M CURIOUS YOUR OVER ARCHING VIEW WHERE THINGS STAND IN THE RACE NOW?

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME POLLING JUST THIS WEEK THAT SHOWS HEAD TO HEAD WITH SHERROD BROWN AND ALL THREE OF THE REPUBLICANS.

HE'S LOSING TO FRANK LAROSA.

>> HE'S WINNING ON ALL THREE.

>> YEAH.

FRANK LAROSA IS DOWN BY 1, DOLAN BY 2 AND MARINO BY 5.

THE KEY IS IN EVERY SINGLE HEAD TO HEAD SHERROD BROWN IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR 50%.

I THINK THE BEST HE DID IS 47.

AND WHEN YOU'VE BEEN A CAREER POLITICIAN IN OHIO FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS AND YOU CAN'T EVEN GET TO 50%, THAT MEANS THERE'S A PROBLEM.

HIS OTHER BIG PROBLEM'S GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR.

DONALD TRUMP'S RUNNING.

THE POLL THAT CAME OUT YESTERDAY IN EMERSON SHOWS HIM WINNING OHIO BY 12 POINTS.

SHERROD BROWN HAS NEVER RUN IN AN ELECTION FOR THE U.S. SENATE WHERE THE HEAD OF THE TICKET, THE REPUBLICAN, IS RUN BEING AHEAD BY 12 POINTS AND HE HAS THE ALBATROSS OF JOE BIDEN AROUND HIS NECK.

THE ISRAELI-HAMAS WAR HAS CREATED A PRO PALESTINIAN GROUP WHERE THEY WANT TO GO AFTER ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS WHO ARE ISRAEL SUPPORTERS.

WELL, THAT WOULD BE SHERROD BROWN.

>> SO ON THE FLIP SIDE -- ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THAT POLL SHOWED THAT POST ISSUE 1 SHERROD BROWN HAS HUGE GROWTH.

SHERROD BROWN HAS ALWAYS DONE WELL WITH SOME OF THE POPULATIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT -- EX-PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE WELL WITH.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING ON THE TRUMP VOTING, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- IT'S -- HE'S JUST GOT HIS LEVEL BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL SHIFT AND HAVE ANY KIND OF COATTAILS.

YOU REALLY DON'T.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE SHERROD COMMERCIALS WITH HOW HE AGREES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON CHINA?

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE SHERROD BROWN TALK ABOUT WHAT HE'S DONE, HOW HE'S FOUGHT FOR THOSE JOBS.

>> I WOULD GIVE HIM ADVICE IN THE FACT THAT TIM RYAN DID THAT AND ONLY LOST BY 6 POINTS.

NAN WHALELY STAYED AWAY AND SHE LOST BY 12.

>> HE HAS A STRONG RECORD THAT HE CAN ALREADY BUILD OFF OF.

I THINK ANYBODY WHO RULES SHERROD BROWN OUT IS DOING SO AT THEIR OWN PERIL.

IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMY, THE LAST I CHECKED WAS THE ECONOMY WAS WON BY THE GOVERNOR OF OHIO.

>> BIDEN INFLATION, NOT DeWINE INFLATION.

>> HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE ECONOMY.

>> PEOPLE DON'T THINK THAT.

THEY BLAME THE PRESIDENT.

THEY DON'T BLAME THE GOVERNOR.

>> WHY WOULD THEY BLAME A U.S.

SENATOR?

>> BECAUSE I -- >> YOU SAID IT.

>> THE PRESIDENT THAT DID THE ECONOMY.

>> I'M CURIOUS TOO HOW MUCH ISSUE ONE IS GOING TO BE A BELL WEATHER IN THIS RACE, WHOEVER ENDS UP BEING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, VERSUS SHERROD BROWN?

>> YOU SAW THE NUMBERS.

I MEAN, WHETHER IT'S ON THE BALLOT OR NOT, IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN 2024.

>> ANSWER THIS QUESTION, BRIAN, WHY WAS IT THAT MIKE DeWINE FOUR MONTHS AFTER ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED WON BY 25 POINTS AGAINST A DEMOCRAT OPPONENT WHO MADE ABORTION AND ABORTION ACCESS A MAJOR ISSUE OF HER CAMPAIGN?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE NOT -- FIRST OF ALL, YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT CANDIDATES.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF ISSUES BY NEXT YEAR THAT ARE GOING TO PLAY INTO THIS.

AND IT IS A YEAR AWAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT THAT OUT AS WELL.

WHEN YOU'RE COMPARING TO NAN WHALEY, THERE WASN'T A DEBATE.

IF YOU LOOK AT ISSUE ONE, WE REALLY DIDN'T SEE A DEBATE ON ISSUE ONE.

YOU KNOW, FORUMS AND THAT SORT OF THING, BUT NOT REALLY A DEBATE.

SO PEOPLE WERE HAVING TO GO OUT AND BY AND LARGE DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH ON ISSUES OR CANDIDATES THESE DAYS AND SOMETIMES SOMEONE LOOKS GOOD BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THEM OR SOMETHING LOOKS GOOD BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT AND THEN WHEN THEY GO IN AND THEY START LOOKING AT IT, THEN THEY FEEL DIFFERENTLY.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY TOO EARLY FOR ANY OF US TO SAY THAT THIS IS HOW THIS IS GOING TO TREND OR THIS IS HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO INTERPRET THEM AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO BE TIED TO THEM.

>> ALSO NAN WHALEY, SHE WENT UP AGAINST -- SHE WAS THE FORMER MAYOR OF DAYTON, WHICH IS A PRETTY SMALL FOOTPRINT.

SHE WENT UP AGAINST MIKE DeWINE.

HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE THE 1970s AND HAS HELD ALMOST EVERY OFFICE IN STATE AND FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU KNOW, HE'S COMING OFF A LOT OF POPULARITY OF HOW HE HANDLED THE COVID PANDEMIC.

SO I THINK HER WIPEOUT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT SHERROD BROWN IS GOING TO HAVE A WIPEOUT EITHER.

>> NO, BUT I DO THINK IT SHOWS THAT ABORTION USUALLY IS A VERY LOW PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES.

IT'S GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY UNLESS SOMETHING DRASTICALLY CHANGES.

IT'S INFLATION, THE ECONOMY BY FAR IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO END UP DEBATING ABOUT NEXT YEAR.

>> I GO BY THE NUMBERS AND THE NUMBERS SHOW SHERROD BROWN GREW FOUR OR FIVE POINTS.

>> HE WAS BEHIND ALL OF THOSE GUYS?

>> HE WAS UP ON TWO AND DOWN ON ONE.

HE GREW THREE TO FIVE POINTS.

>> HE COULDN'T GROW BEYOND 50%.

>> NEITHER HAS DONALD TRUMP NATIONALLY.

>> NO, BUT IN OHIO HE IS.

>> I DISAGREE WITH YOU.

I THINK THAT GOP VOTERS IN PARTICULAR DO VOTE ON ABORTION.

>> YEAH, THEY VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

>> I THINK THEY VOTE ON ABORTION AND GUNS.

>> IF YOU'RE HARD CORE ON ABORTION, IF THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE, LIKE YOUR ONE OR TWO ISSUE, IF YOU'RE PRO ABORTION YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRAT.

THEY HAVE MADE SURE THEY HAVE CLEANSED THEMSELVES OF ANYBODY ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WHO CAN'T BE PRO LIFE AND ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE YOU CAN'T BE PRO CHOICE.

THEY'VE MADE IT VERY STARK.

IF IF IT'S THAT IMPORTANT OF AN ISSUE, YOU'RE VOTING FOR YOUR GUY OR GIRL.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT IT.

>> WE HAVE TO KEEP MOVING ON HERE.

OF COURSE WE JUST FOUND OUT OR PERHAPS WE ALREADY KNEW BUT HAD A BETTER SENSE OF OHIO'S JUVENILE PRISON SYSTEM BEING IN TERRIBLE SHAPE.

A MONTH-LONG INVESTIGATION BY THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH FOUND A SYSTEM PLAGUED BY VIOLENCE, FACILITIES SEVERELY UNDER STAFFED.

CHILDREN, MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL NEEDS NEGLECTED AND NEARLY HALF THE INCARCERATED KIDS SOON BACK BEHIND BARS.

HOURS AFTER THAT WAS PUBLISHED GOVERNOR DeWINE CONDUCTED A TASK FORCE.

YOU WERE ONE OF FEW REPORTERS WORKING ON THIS LONG INVESTIGATION.

TELL US HOW THIS TOOK SHAPE AND YOUR FINDINGS.

>> MORE THAN A YEAR AGO THERE WAS A RIOT AT INDIAN RIVER JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER UP IN STARK COUNTY, AND WE COVERED THAT.

WE HAD ALREADY TEED UP SOME STORIES ABOUT STAFF PROBLEMS AND THAT MADE US THINK WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN THE JUVENILE CENTERS, IN PARTICULAR AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AS WELL.

SO WE DECIDED TO KIND OF USE THE COLLABORATION ACROSS THE GUINETTE NETWORK.

WE ALL KIND OF PULLED TOGETHER AND STARTED TO LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND ALSO ACROSS THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS AN EIGHT-MONTH ENDEAVOR.

WE PUT ALL THE STORIES UP WITHOUT A PAY WALL LOOKING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'S JUST CHRONIC AND PERSISTENT STAFF SHORTAGES THAT LEADS TO PROBLEMS LIKE PROLONGED LOCKDOWNS OF KIDS BEING HELD IN THEIR ROOMS.

AT INDIAN RIVER THEY DON'T HAVE TOILETS OR SINKS IN THEIR ROOMS SO AT SOME POINTS KIDS DON'T GET OUT FORBATH ROOM BREAKS AND THEY'RE URINATING AND DEFECATING IN THEIR CELLS, WHICH IS GROSS.

THEN WHEN THEY COME OUT OF THEIR CELLS, THEY DON'T WANT TO GO BACK IN.

THERE'S VIOLENT CLASHES.

THE GANGS HAVE ALL KINDS OF ASSAULTS ON STAFF AND OTHER KIDS.

EMPLOYEES ARE FEARFUL.

KIDS ARE FEARFUL.

ON TOP OF THAT, ON THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF, HALF OF THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH JOBS ARE OPEN EVEN THOUGH 3/4 OF THE KIDS REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

ABOUT 1/4 OF THE TEACHER POSITIONS ARE OPEN AND YET ABOUT 1/2 OF THE KIDS REQUIRE SOME SORT OF INDIVIDUALIZED SPECIAL EDUCATION.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS THAT KIND OF DAISY CHAIN TOGETHER.

THEY ALL ARE LINKED.

WE FOUND SOME REALLY SERIOUS INJURIES AT FRANKLIN COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

DEVARIAN ALLEN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT AWAY FROM OTHER KIDS.

HE HAD A FIGHT WITH A KID, LASTED ONLY 10 SECONDS.

CHANGED HIS LIFE FOREVER.

HE'S PARALYZED FROM THE CHEST DOWN.

WE WERE ABLE TO FOLLOW HIM TO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND VISIT HIS HOME -- HIS FAMILY HOME.

IT'S REALLY CHANGED THE LIFE FOR EVERYBODY IN HIS FAMILY.

>> HOW DOES THE SITUATION IN OHIO YOUTH PRISONS COMPARE TO OTHER STATES?

DO WE KNOW?

IS THAT HARD TO FATHOM?

>> NO.

IF YOU LOOK AT NEWS COVERAGE ACROSS THE STATES, MICHIGAN, TENNESSEE, ILLINOIS, EVERYBODY IS SEEING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR YOUTH INCARCERATION SYSTEM.

A LOT OF IT IS LINKED TO STAFF SHORTAGES.

THESE ARE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT JOBS TO HANDLE.

I MEAN, YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, RISKING INJURY EVERY TIME YOU GO INTO WORK.

THESE KIDS ARE PRETTY VOLATILE.

THEY'VE COME FROM VERY TRAUMATIZED BACKGROUNDS AND THEY'VE DONE SOME VERY VIOLENT ACTS, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE INCARCERATED.

SO IT'S -- BUT IT'S HARD TO COMPARE STATE TO STATE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MEASURES IS HOW MANY KIDS COME BACK, ARE RE-INCARCERATED.

CALLED A RECIDIVISM RATE.

WITHIN OHIO WITHIN THREE YEARS OF RELEASE 43% OF KIDS RETURN TO THE YOUTH SYSTEM OR THEY GO TO THE ADULT SYSTEM.

YOU CAN'T COMPARE OHIO'S RECIDIVISM RATE TO OTHERS BECAUSE THEY MEASURE IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> CERTAINLY SOME SOBERING STATISTICS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS OUR STATE LEADERS WRANGLE WITH THIS QUESTION.

WELL, IT'S TIME FOR OUR FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOT.

A BIT OF A TOUGH TRANSITION THERE, BRIAN.

WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> SO OUR ATTENTION IS GOING TO TURN TO REDISTRICTING.

IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

I THINK THEY'LL GET THE SIGNATURES AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A REAL FOCUS FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

>> BOB?

>> YOU MENTIONED POLITICAL CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS STARTING OUT, BUT THE ONES THAT WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SEE IN OHIO THIS CYCLE ARE PRESIDENTIAL ADS.

JOE BIDEN'S ALREADY UP AND HE'S ADVERTISING BUT ALL THE STATES HE'S ADVERTISING ARE GEORGIA, NEVADA, MICHIGAN, ALL OF THE SWING STATES.

SO I THINK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY MEMORY WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY PRESIDENTIAL ADS IN OHIO.

>> IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE DAYS OF THE KINGMAKER STATE OF OHIO, WE'LL SEE.

JO?

>> KEEPING WITH REDISTRICTING HERE, THE BALLOT BOARD IS GOING TO BE LOOKING AT IT ON THIS NEXT WEEK AND TRYING TO DECIDE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE ON LANGUAGE GOING FORWARD AND I THINK THAT COULD BE A BATTLE BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT'S A REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED BOARD AND THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT.

>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, LAURA.

>> CIRCLING BACK TO THE YOUTH PRISON PROBLEM.

I WANT TO SAY WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WAS SHINE A LIGHT ON A CLOSED SYSTEM.

I THINK IT DEMONSTRATES THAT GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM IS ALIVE IN OHIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A QUICK REMINDER ABOUT WOSU'S PUBLIC MEDIA PODCAST.

TELLING THE STORY OF THE POWER GROUND.

IT TELLS THE NUCLEAR BAILOUT SCANDAL.

YOU'LL HEAR HOUSEHOLDER AND OTHERS PLOT THEIR CRIMES.

GET THE POWER GRAB WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR ""COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD"" THIS WEEK.

I'M MATTHEW RAND.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.