>>> THE BIDEN BALLOT FIX HITS A WALL AND TURMOIL AT THE STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- >> WELCOME TO COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.

IN ALABAMA, THE DEADLINE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT CAME BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

SO PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD MISS THE DEADLINE BY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND WOULD NOT APPEAR ON THE SO LAST WEEK THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS WHO LIKELY SUPPORT >>> THE BIDEN BALLOT FIX HITS A WALL AND TURMOIL AT THE STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

>> WELCOME TO COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.

IN ALABAMA, THE DEADLINE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT CAME BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

SO PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD MISS THE DEADLINE BY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND WOULD NOT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.

SO LAST WEEK THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS WHO LIKELY SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP -MOVED THE DEADLINE.

T HE SENATE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS, THE HOUSE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS.

AN D THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR SIGNED.

NO PROBLEM.

MEANWHILE, HERE IN OHIO, BIDEN REMAINS OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS THOUGHT THEY HAD AN EASY AND PERMANENT PASSED A BILL THAT ADDED A LAST MINUTE PROVISION THAT DEMOCRATS HATED, AND HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEPHENS DECLINED TO BRING IT UP FOR A VOTE.

THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT FIX.

IT WAS A PERMANENT DEADLINE FIX AND A CONTINGENCY FOR CONVENTION .

>> SOME OF THIS TIED BACK TO THE FACT THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THERE IS A BIG FIGHT OVER WHO WILL BE THE SPEAKER IN THE NEXT SESSION.

AND THE SENATE, UNDER MATT HUFFMAN, WHO WANTS TO BE SPEAKER NEXT SESSION, PUT IN THIS ELEMENT IN THEIR AND THE DEMOCRATS CALLED IT A POISON PILL, SAYING THAT NONCITIZENS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTRIBUTE TO BALLOT ISSUE CAMPAIGNS.

THEY ARE ALREADY NOT ALLOWED TO CONTRIBUTE TO CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS.

DEMOCRATS HAVE AN ISSUE AND THEY FEEL LIKE IT PUT UP ANOTHER HURDLE.

BALLOT IS A PLACE WHERE REPUBLICANS TENDED TO LOSE ON ISSUE QUESTIONS.

IF YOU CAN'T GET THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE ON SOMETHING, SOMETIMES THE VOTERS SAY YES.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WOULD GET FIXED AND STEVENS SAID IT WOULD GET FIXED BUT IT STILL ISN'T FIXED.

>> YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS SHOWED WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE, WHICH WAS, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THIS UNTRACEABLE FOREIGN DARK MONEY FOR THE BALLOT ISSUES, RATHER THAN PUT JOE BIDEN ON THE BALLOT.

THEY SET PRIORITIES AND THE PRIORITY WAS TO KEEP THAT FOREIGN MONEY COMING IN.

THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY COULD ALWAYS GO TO COURT .

YOU KNOW, THAT IS WHAT DONALD TRUMP HAD TO DO, BECAUSE BOTH COLORADO AND MAINE LEGISLATURES DID NOT RUSH TO PUT HIM ON THE BALLOT.

HE HAD TO GO TO COURT TO GET ON THOSE BALLOTS.

BIDEN MIGHT HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.

>> THE LEGISLATURE WITH PUBLIC GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND THE ISSUES FOR CAMPAIGN SEPARATELY, WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE WITH THIS ONE?

>> IN POLITICS IT IS CALLED COMPROMISE, OKAY?

AND NO, YOU KNOW IT IS COMPROMISE.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO COMPROMISE.

>> THE EXACT TALKING POINT YOU JUST USED IS THE VENOM FROM THE POISON PILL.

THEY DID THIS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO GET -- NO, THEY WANTED TO GET SOME KIND OF -- >> THEY WANT TO KEEP THE FOREIGN MONEY FROM COMING IN.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF OHIOANS JUST WANTED JOE BIDEN TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND LET THEM MAKE THE DECISION.

THIS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WON'T LET PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS.

YOU KNOW?

IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOUR THE CANDIDATE THAT HAS THE WORM EATING HIS BRAIN OR ANYBODY ELSE, THEY DESERVE THAT RIGHT.

>> IF THEY CANNOT COMMIT FOR CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS WHY ISSUE CAMPAIGNS?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IS THE MAJOR ISSUE.

>> THAT IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

>> NO IT ISN'T.

>> YOU SLIP SOMETHING AND BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE.

THE COURTS WILL DECIDE THIS.

THEY'RE GOING TO DECIDE IT.

THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

WHY IS IT THE LEGISLATURE CAN ACT LIKE THE VICE PRINCIPAL OF EVERY HIGH SCHOOL THAT ALREADY BANS CELL PHONES AND SPEND THEIR TIME ON THAT, BUT THEY CAN'T LET OHIOANS VOTE FOR PRESIDENT?

>> IF THE DEMOCRATS WERE NOT SO FOCUSED ON GETTING ALL THE MONEY FLOODING THE STATE, THAT IS WHY ALABAMA WAS ABLE TO PASS IT, BECAUSE THERE STATE IS NOT GETTING FLOODED -- >> THE NEXT STEP, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

THURSDAY WAS THE DEADLINE, SO YOU DID NOT NEED AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE TO GET THIS SETTLED BEFORE ELECTION DAY OR THE DEADLINE FOR BALLOTS.

THEY COULD PASS IT NEXT WEEK OR IN ANOTHER SESSION OR THEY COULD GO TO COURT.

WHICH IS MORE LIKELY?

>> THEY PASS IT LATER ON THEY WILL NEED AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE WHICH WILL FIRES A LOWER VOTE THRESHOLD.

THIS WEEK WITHOUT THE URGENCY CLAUSE AND I DON'T SEE THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE MECHANISM IS TO GO TO COURT.

ANOTHER OPTION THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IS LIKE TO HAVE THE DNC ACTUALLY DO A NOMINATION AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE THE CONVENTION STARTS.

>> IS THIS ULTIMATELY THE DEMOCRATS FAULT FOR NOT CHECKING ON ALABAMA OR OHIO'S DEADLINE?

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE IT TOO BUT THINGS ARE SO TOXIC IN OHIO EVEN ALABAMA CAN RESOLVE THIS, BUT WE CAN'T RESOLVE IT HERE.

THEY HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES.

THIS IS A REPUBLICAN EFFORT TO NOT DO THIS.

THE GOVERNOR WAS EVEN EMBARRASSED AND SAID THAT THIS WILL BE RESOLVED AND JOE BIDEN WILL BE ON THE BALLOT.

WITH THE LIBERALS AND DEMOCRAT FACES WITH COLORADO AND MAINE, HARD TO KEEP TRUMP OFF THE BALLOT, COULD THIS BLOWBACK ON REPUBLICANS HERE?

IF REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO KEEP JOE BIDEN OUT?

>> NO, BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HERE IN OHIO ACTUALLY SAID THAT JOE THEY ARE NOT SAYING THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT, THE DEMOCRATS IN BOTH MAINE AND COLORADO SAID TRUMP SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT, WE DO NOT WANT HIM ON OUR BALLOT.

REPUBLICANS ARE NOT SAYING THAT IN OHIO ABOUT JOE BIDEN AT ALL.

NO, NO THEY DIDN'T.

IT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE, COME ON.

IT IS JUST THAT YOU GUYS DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ALL THAT MONEY TO GET HIM ON THE BALLOT.

>> OH, COME ON.

MORE DRAMA, THE OHIO STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM CONTROLS ABOUT 90 BILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE FINANCIAL FUTURES OF A HALF MILLION RETIREES AND CURRENT TEACHERS.

A LONG SIMMERING FEUD IS BREAKING WIDE OPEN.

THE BATTLE IS BETWEEN SO CALLED 'REFORMERS' ON THE S-T-R-S BOARD .

THE 'REFORMERS' SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR BETTER RETURNS.

THEIR OPPONENTS SAY THE 'REFORMERS' PLAN IS TOO RISKY THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH REPORTS A MEMO ACCUSES THE REFORMERS OF ENGINEERING A HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF THE SYSTEM BY PRIVATE INTERESTS.

GOVERNOR DEWINE SAYS HE'S WORRIED ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE YOST HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION.

LAURA BISCHOFF, YOU BROKE THE STORY THIS WEEK.

IS THIS JUST A POWER STRUGGLE OR SOMETHING MORE?

>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE BOTH.

I THINK THERE IS A POWER STRUGGLE.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A FACTION OF RETIREES THAT ARE VERY UPSET THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD A SUSTAINED AND ONGOING COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE .

THIS WAS A MEASURE, INSTITUTED A FEW YEARS BACK TO HELP STABILIZE THE FINANCES OF THE PENSION SYSTEM.

AND THAT HAS REALLY GOTTEN THEM MAD AND THEY'RE UPSET THAT THE INVESTMENT STAFF GET THESE BIG BONUSES AND TEACHERS OBVIOUSLY DON'T GET AND EVEN IN THE EARS IN WHICH THEY LOSE MONEY, AND THAT IS KIND OF LIKE A BIG STICKING POINT.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FLIP THE BOARDS, THE 11 MEMBER BOARD.

SOME ARE APPOINTED AND SOME ARE ELECTED PRETTY VOTES ARE BEING COUNTED AND THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL COME OUT ON SATURDAY FOR THE TEACHER POSITION ON THE BOARD.

YEARS THEY HAVE GOTTEN MORE AND MORE SEATS ON THE BOARD, AND NOW WITH THE RETURN OF WADE STEEN, MORE ON HIM IN A SECOND, THEY HAVE A MAJORITY ON THE BOARD.

HE WAS THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEE, HE STARTED UNDER THE PREDECESSOR AND THEN ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO GOVERNOR DeWINE REPLACED HIM WITH SOMEBODY ELSE.

THE RETIREES MOUNTED A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO BAT AND WADE STEEN CAME BACK IN DRAMATIC FASHION IN APRIL.

>> IT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE BY THE INVESTMENT FIRMS .

ALSO BY THE PRIVATE FIRM.

>> RIGHT.

AND THERE HAS BEEN A GROUP THAT EMERGED A FEW YEARS AGO SAYING THAT THEY HAVE A NEW INVESTMENT STRATEGY, AND THAT THEY COULD DO THIS WITH $65 BILLION OF THE $90 BILLION AND THAT THEY COULD RETURN FOR AN EXTRA $4 BILLION AND RESTORE THE COLA, THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE, AND EVEN REDUCE THE CONTRIBUTION RATES.

BUT THE CURRENT INVESTMENT UNTESTED.

THIS IS A NEW OUTFIT WITH NO TRACK RECORD, SO WE DON'T RECOMMEND IT.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT A TEACHER, A RETIREE OR RELATED TO ONE, WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT LAURA HAS UNCOVERED IS LIKE A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE, EVERYTHING COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

AND I THINK THAT THE INTERESTING PART, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN KIND OF FOLLOWING THIS YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO AND I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT INTERESTING.

I CANNOT FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON AND LAURA ENDED UP TELLING US WHAT WAS GOING ON.

I THINK IT IS BASICALLY THIS NEW GROUP OR THESE GUYS THAT CAME IN AND WANT TO TAKE THIS MONEY AND INVEST IT DIFFERENTLY, AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE PROMISING ALL THE TEACHERS THAT WE WILL START REINSTATING THE COST OF LIVING BECAUSE WE WILL BE MAKING ALL OF THIS MONEY ON OUR NEW WAY TO INVEST IT, AND SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS DON'T WORK OUT.

>> SO THE SYSTEM FAILS AND I ASSUME IT IS THE TAXPAYERS -- IF THERE IS NO DANGER HERE WITH FAILING, THIS IS ABOUT HOW IT IS MANAGED AND WHERE IT IS MANAGED, AND LIKE WHERE HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

THERE IS SOMETHING IN EDUCATION AND THE GOVERNOR, IN THIS CASE HE IS ARGUING WITH WADE STEEN WHO IS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN AND THE FIRM IS RUN BY SOME OF THE FORMER FUNDS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALL ABOUT WHO STEERS THE MONEY AND HOW THEY GET THERE.

I WOULD BE A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR HAVING TOO MUCH POWER OVER THIS .

JUST LIKE I WOULD BE A LITTLE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT EVEN THE PROFESSIONALS OVER THERE JUST MAKING THIS DETERMINATION.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMPROMISE WHERE THE DECISION IS MADE BASED ON THE INVESTMENT , AND NOT ALL OF THIS POLITICS.

FIDUCIARY DUTY, THEY HAVE TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SYSTEM, NOT BASED ON YOU KNOW, THEIR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS OR WHATEVER.

SO THAT IS THE CRUX OF WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL BE LOOKING AT, WHETHER OR NOT THEY VIOLATED THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTY.

>> HE CAN SUE THEM TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE BOARD.

IT IS AN EXTREME STEP.

>> IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN BEFORE.

AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO VIOLATE THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTY AND IT WOULD BE A CIVIL CASE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL YOST WOULD HAVE TO PROVE IT IN COURT.

>> THEY WERE APPROVED FOR THE CONTRACT AT ONE POINT AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT EVER THAT --AT ONE POINT THEY DO NOT MOVE FORWARD.

>> QED.

>> THAT IS A FIRM THAT IS FOUR RISKY.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT IS JUST COMING OUT TODAY IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS GOING TO START INVESTIGATING THE MONEY THAT WAS INVESTED IN THESE ELECTIONS AND WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM, BECAUSE THE REFORMERS HAVE HAD ALL THESE MAILINGS AND EVERYTHING.

>> ONCE AGAIN, SOMEBODY DOES NOT LIKE A BOARD THAT THEY DON'T CONTROL INVOLVED IN EDUCATION.

>> NO, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT -- >> DURING THE CAMPAIGNS THEY HAVE TO REPORT THEIR EXPENDITURES, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAMPAIGN, THAT IS NOT HAPPEN.

THERE WAS A PENSION GROUP AND SAVE OHIO GROUP AND THEY DID MAILINGS AND THEY DID MESSAGING, BUT NO ONE -- >> UNTIL NOW.

>> WELL I MEAN, I DID NOT KNOW ANY OF THIS UNTIL THE STORY.

>> WHICH MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

IT IS OPRAH'S OR ANY OTHER FIRE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

ANY OF THEIRS THAT THEY FACE SIMILAR SITUATIONS.

HOW THEIR RETURNS HAVE BEEN AND IT THEY MAINTAIN THE COST OF WHY ARE THE TEACHERS AND SO MUCH TURMOIL?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING A COLA LIKE THE OTHER FUNDS ARE.

ALL OF THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN UNDER A LOT OF STRESS.

THEY HAVE TO YOU KNOW, ME TO THEIR RETURNS AND THEIR EXPECTED TO MEET ANNUAL RETURNS AND IT IS A SYSTEM IN OHIO, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DO NOT PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.

THIS DEFINED-BENEFIT PROGRAM OUT OF THE FIVE PENSION SYSTEMS IS THE ONLY RETIREMENT THAT THEY HAVE.

>> RETIREMENT PLANS HAVE TO BE --THEY CANNOT BE TOO RISKY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN -- EVERYBODY HAS TO PAY THESE IT IS NOT LIKE --BIGGER BENEFITS, NOT AN INDIVIDUAL BENEFIT.

SO THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT CAN BE TRICKY.

>> YEAH, AND THAT WILL BE THE CRUX OF THE MATTER, SHOULD THIS NEW FIRM COME IN, AND SHOULD THEY TAKE OVER THE INVESTMENT OF THE FUND?

AND YEAH, GREAT IF THEY CAN DO IT AND GET A GREAT RETURN AND THEY CAN DO COST OF LIVING, BUT ONCE AGAIN, WHAT HAPPENS IF IT DOESN'T WORK AND THEY LOSE MONEY.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL EVEN HAPPEN.

THIS TERM ENDS IN A FEW MONTHS.

>> UNDER STATE LAW, THE PENSION SYSTEMS ARE REQUIRED TO INVEST AS A PRUDENT PERSON.

THE PRUDENT PERSON STANDARD.

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DIVERSIFY.

PUTTING $65 BILLION OR TWO THIRDS OF THE MONEY INTO ONE PARTICULAR INVESTMENT STRATEGY MAY NOT FALL WITHIN THOSE LINES.

>> IS THAT WHAT THEY WERE REQUIRING?

>> THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE SUGGESTING.

>> COMPLICATED, MORE TO COME.

>>> STUDENTS HAVE LEFT OHIO STATE FOR THE SUMMER AND CAMPUS PROTESTS OVER THE WAR IN GAZA HAVE LARGELY ENDED, SOME THREE DOZEN PROTESTERS STILL FACE MISDEMEANOR TRESPASSING CHARGES AFTER A CAMPUS PROTEST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

THIS WEEK ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE YOST NOTIFIED OHIO COLLEGE PRESIDENTS STUDENTS WHO WEAR MASKS AT THE PROTESTS FACE POSSIBLE FELONIES.

HE SAYS THEY COULD BE VIOLATING A LAW MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO WEAR A MASK WHILE COMMITTING A CRIME.

SOME OF THOSE ARRESTED AT OSU WERE WEARING FACE COVERINGS TO KEEP THEIR IDENTITIES HIDDEN ñ MOST WORE MEDICAL MASKS CRITICS HAVE POINTED OUT THAT YOST DID NOT ISSUE SIMILAR WARNINGS TO WHO HAVE PROTESTED RECENTLY GRANTED THEY WERE NOT CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

THE LAW YOST SIGHTS WAS ENACTED IN 1953 AND WAS DESIGNED TO COUNTER ACTIVITIES OF THE KU KLUX CLAN.

BOB CLEGG, IS YOST'S ANNOUNCEMENT PANDERING?

>> I CANNOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION, MIKE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.

I FIND IT INTERESTING, BECAUSE MAYBE I'M THE ONLY ONE ON THIS PANEL THAT CAN REMEMBER BACK TO THE 60s WHEN THERE WAS VIETNAM WAR PROTESTS.

NONE OF THEM WORE MASKS.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE WEARING THEM NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT PROFESSIONAL RETRIBUTION DOWN THE ROAD.

WELL, IT WAS MUCH MORE WOKE NOW IF YOU REALLY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT AN ISSUE, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO TRY TO HIDE YOURSELF.

>> ONE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT MORE CAMERAS THAN THERE WERE IN 1968.

EVER BUT HAS A CAMERA RIGHT NOW.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WILL ANSWER IT, IT IS PANDERING.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT, IF IT WENT TO COURT IT WOULD BE OVERTURNED.

WE ALL KNOW THAT, AND ESPECIALLY YOU KNOW, THEY CAN MAYBE ARGUE SOME AUTHORITY ON CAMPUS DEPENDING, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT MASKS CONSTITUTE ANY OFFENSIVE ACTION.

AND FRANKLY, UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE SEEN THE KU KLUX KLAN IN FRONT OF THE STATEHOUSE WEARING THEIR MASKS AND I DON'T SEE ANY ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT EVER RAISE THE ISSUE.

SO YEAH, IT IS PANDERING.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO -- >> TO WE KNOW IF THIS LAW HAS EVER BEEN USED?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT MIGHT PREDATE 1953.

I WAS TOLD THAT IS WHEN THERE WAS A MASSIVE REWRITE OF THE CODE BUT STILL IT WAS DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF FIGHTING BACK >> IF BANK ROBBERS WERE WEARING A MASK WOULD THEY BE CHARGED WITH THIS?

>> I THINK ANY CRIME COMMITTED AND YOU ARE WEARING A MASK.

SO I THINK THAT A LOT OF BANK ROBBERIES NOW THEY HAVE A SURGICAL MASK ON OR WHATEVER.

THEY COULD BE CHARGED WITH THAT VERY SAME LAW.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY REALLY KNEW IT WAS OUT THERE UNTIL SOMEBODY DUG INTO THE CODE AND STARTED LOOKING AT IT.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT CAME UP THIS WEEK, THERE IS A BILL THAT WOULD BAN SIGNS ON HIGHWAY OVERPASSES AND ON THE BUILDINGS IF THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS NOT GIVEN PERMISSION.

WHERE DOES THAT -- >> FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

I UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND THIS .

THESE ARE ANTI- SEMITIC SIGNS.

YEAH, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GO ABOUT COMBATING SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITHOUT INFRINGING ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

>> AND WHO DETERMINES WHAT IS HATEFUL?

THAT IS THE TRICKY PART.

>> THAT IS A TRICKY PART AND I AGREE WITH BOB, I THINK IT COULD RUN AFOUL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

>> AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH WE SEE PICTURES OF FETAL REMAINS, DISTURBING, NO DOUBT.

SOME MIGHT SAY IT IS HATEFUL.

SHOULD THOSE BE BANNED?

>> YOU WILL GET INTO A DIFFICULT COURT DETERMINATION ON WHAT IS HATEFUL AND WHAT IS NOT HATEFUL.

BUT COMPLICATING ALL OF THIS , IT HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN IN NEW YORK, IS THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY GENERATE AND PROJECT ONTO BUILDINGS.

THAT IS GOING TO BECOME AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM .

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO DID IT AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

ALL YOU NEED IS A PHONE IN THE SOME CASES.

>>> FREE-SPEECH DEBATES, HAVE THEY CHANGED?

YOU MENTIONED THE 60s.

I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WERE -- I DON'T KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS DIFFERENT NOW.

MAYBE A SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE AMOUNT OF CAMERAS THAT ARE UP.

MAYBE IT IS THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

>> 68 WAS REALLY INTENSE.

THAT IS WHY WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THESE PROTESTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WAS LIKE THE MOST THAT WE HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN THE UNITED STATES, I'M THINKING BACK WELL NO, NOT REALLY.

I MEAN, THEY WERE REALLY INTENSE BACK THEN.

LOOK AT KENT STATE.

WE HAD FOUR PEOPLE DIED.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE FREELY EXPRESS WHAT THEY THINK AND AT WHAT POINT TO THE CROSS THE LINE?

I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, I CANNOT TELL YOU WHEN THAT IS.

>> IT WILL BE A DIFFICULT THING.

I THINK THAT IT WILL BE TESTED AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE TESTED AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN TIME, BUT I ALSO THINK DEFINITELY IT IS MORE VISIBLE.

TIKTOK HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING AND ALSO, WHO KNOWS WHAT MONEY IS FUNDING SOME OF THESE THINGS MARK >> OUR LAST TOPIC, A CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SEEN ITS ENROLLMENT SHRINK SHARPLY OVER RECENT DECADES .

AS A RESULT, A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS ARE UNDER CAPACITY.

SOME SCHOOLS ARE ONLY 25 PERCENT FULL.

THE COLUMBUS SCHOOL BOARD IS NOW CONSIDERING A COMPLICATED PLAN WHICH COULD CLOSE 20 OF THE DISTRICT'S 113 SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

A SUPERINTENDENT'S TASK FORCE SUBMITTED THE PLAN.

IT HAS NINE SCENARIOS.

THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS TRIED THIS BEFORE, BUT IN 2018, AFTER MONTHS OF HEARINGS AND OUTCRY FROM STUDENTS PARENTS AND ALUMNI, THE SCHOOL BOARD THE SCHOOL BOARD SCRAPPED A CLOSING PLAN.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DETAILS OF WHICH SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE, BUT TO BREAK OUT THE LARGER ISSUE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE AGREES NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE HAVE FAR FEWER STUDENTS.

WE NEED TO CLOSE SCHOOLS, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE VOTE, IT IS HARD FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> IT IS HARD AND THEY ARE BEING TRANSPARENT AND TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT NOT ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS WOULD BE CLOSED.

AFTER THIS IT WOULD GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND IT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL 2025 OR 2026.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE THAT CAME OUT YESTERDAY THAT TALKED ABOUT THIS IS NOT JUST COLUMBUS, THIS IS ALL OVER, BECAUSE OF POPULATION CHANGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND BIG DISTRICTS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE FOR POLITICIANS.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT AND THEY WILL GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS BUT I THINK THAT THEY'RE DOING IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

IT IS NOT AS POLITICAL ALTHOUGH IT IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

IT IS EARLY.

BUT EVENTUALLY WE WILL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> IS THIS A CASE WHERE THE MINORITY TRULY IS DRIVING THE RELUCTANCE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS?

BECAUSE ALL THE TAXPAYERS IN THE CONDO CITY SCHOOLS PROBABLY SAY LET'S RUN THIS EFFICIENTLY AND IF IT IS ONLY 25% FULL IT SHOULD NOT BE OPEN, BUT IF YOU HAVE A KID THERE IT IS DIFFERENT.

>> THAT IS WHY THE WORST I HAVE ALWAYS FELT, THE WORST ELECTED POSITION YOU COULD HAVE IT IS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

I JUST THINK THAT THEY ARE JUST BARTERED WITH ALL THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS.

I THINK THE BIG PROBLEM WE HAVE HERE IS YOU ARE RIGHT, IT WAS A MINORITY, BUT IT IS PARENTS WHO WANT TO KEEP THAT SCHOOL CLOSE TO THEIR HOME AND THEN YOU HAVE TEACHERS, THE TEACHERS UNION, WHO, IF THERE ARE LESS SCHOOLS, THERE WILL BE LESS TEACHERS.

THEN YOU HAVE THE SCHOOL BOARD, WHO IS YOU KNOW, RESPONSIBLE TO THE TAXPAYERS TO RUN IT AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND THOSE CONFLICTING FORCES IS THE >> THERE IS A LAYER OF EMOTIONAL OVER ALL OF THAT AS WELL.

PEOPLE ARE VERY INVOLVED IN THEIR LOCAL POLITICS AND THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT I GOVERNMENT HAS EVER DONE IS TO DO THE BASE CLOSING COMMISSION.

IT WAS INDEPENDENT AND THEY LISTED A BUNCH OF BASES THAT NEEDED TO BE CLOSED AND THEY SAID TO CONGRESS TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT AS ONE VOTE.

SO CONGRESSPEOPLE CANNOT PICK OFF THEIR BASES.

WHY DON'T WE DO THAT MORE OFTEN?

A SCHOOL CLOSURE COMMISSION?

>> THAT IS KIND OF WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.

THE ONLY DOWNSIDE WHEN YOU DO IT THAT WAY AND YOU ARE THAT TRANSPARENT, IS A BUNCH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WOULD NOT BE IN SOME OF THOSE SCENARIOS ARE ALSO LISTED IN THOSE SCENARIOS.

SO IT HAS MORE PEOPLE ENGAGED, YOU KNOW?

BUT IN THE END, THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO, GO ABOUT IT SYSTEMATICALLY AND LOOK AT THE FACTS AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND MAKE A DECISION.

BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, THERE ARE COMPETING INTERESTS.

>> HOW ABOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM COMMISSION FOR CONGRESS?

>> THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW IT --I WORRY THAT IT ONLY GETS RESOLVED WHEN IT COLLAPSES, AND THEN WE HAVE A PANIC.

BUT YOU KNOW, IF YOU TRY TO MAKE THE RETIREMENT AGE GREATER , THEN YOU ARE ACCUSED OF TRYING TO CUT PEOPLE OUT, BUT IF YOU TRY TO RAISE MORE MONEY, YOU ARE RAISING TAXES.

SO IT IS THESE TOUGH ISSUES THAT CAN NEVER GET RESOLVED.

>> HARD DECISIONS ARE HARD.

AND IT HAPPENS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT IS MUCH EASIER TO GO FOR THE SHINY OBJECT OR ARE YOU YOU OVER THE WEDGE POLITICAL ISSUE THAN TO ACTUALLY FIX THINGS.

FIX THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.

>> OR DELAY IT FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH THE NEXT PRESIDENT OR WHATEVER.

ANYWAY, IT IS TIME FOR THE PARKING SHOTS, BRIAN >> ANOTHER CHILDREN SERVICES IS GOING TO GO FOR A LEVY PRETTY SOON.

THEY NEED TO DO A RENEWAL.

IT IS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND THE COSTS HAVE GONE UP A LOT AND HOPEFULLY THEY GET A GOOD PIECE ON THE BALLOT FOR IT.

>> THE CITY OF COLUMBUS GOT GOOD NEWS, FORBES MAGAZINE DID THE TOP 15 MAJOR CITIES TO LIVE IN AND COLUMBUS ENDED UP IN 10th.

IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT RATE, WHICH WAS 97%, AND THE MEDIAN AVERAGE MONTHLY HOUSING COST, WHICH WAS LOWER TOO.

>> SO BILL IS THE LONGTIME TREASURER FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND HE PLED GUILTY THIS WEEK TO STEALING ALMOST $1 MILLION OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.

AND IT KIND OF POINTS TO HOW POLITICIANS SHOULD ADHERE TO AND AGE OLD ADAGE WHICH IS IF YOUR MOTHER SAYS SHE LOVES YOU, CHECK IT OUT.

THE POINT IS TO VERIFY.

>>> >>> LAST WEEK'S GRADUATION COIN, A MAGIC TRICK WITH THE OSU PRESIDENT, AND TWO ATTEMPTED SING-ALONGS.

IT TURNS OUT THE SPEAKER ñ CHRIS PAN SAYS HE WROTE IT WHILE TAKING DRUGS.

MY GUESS IS WHILE MOST OF US CANNOT REMEMBER OUR GRADUATION SPEAKERS, TH E OSU CLASS OF 24 WILL REMEMBER THEIR'S THAT'S COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD FOR THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

A ND YOU CAN WATCH US ANYTIME ON OUR WEBSITE ñ WOSU.ORG/COTR, YOUTUBE AND ALSO ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

I'M MIK E THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.