OHIO REDISTRICTING BEGINS WITH A FALSE START.

>>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD THE PROCESS OF DRAWING STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY THE A ROUTINE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, WHERE MEMBERS ARE SWORN IN AND START TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

>> SO AT THIS POINT, I WOULD NORMALLY TURN THE MEETING OVER TO THE CO-CHAIRS.

WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO RECESS.

LET ME JUST SAY THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD GET CO-CHAIRS APPOINTED VERY SOON, AND WE WILL -- I'M GOING TO, IN A MOMENT, RECESS UNTIL 8:00 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING.

>> THE ROUTINE MATTER OF PICKING THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT S .

>>> THE RESTART OF THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS BEGINS WITH A FALSE START.

>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

THE PROCESS OF DRAWING STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY AT A ROUTINE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, WHERE MEMBERS ARE SWORN IN AND THEY START TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

>> SO AT THIS POINT, I WOULD NORMALLY TURN THE MEETING OVER TO THE CO-CHAIRS.

CO-CHAIRS ARE NOT APPOINTED.

THEY'VE NOT BEEN APPOINTED.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RECESS.

LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE WOULD -- I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD GET THE CO-CHAIRS APPOINTED VERY SOON, AND WE WILL -- I'M GOING TO, IN A MOMENT, RECESS UNTIL 8:00 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING.

>> THE ROUTINE MATTER OF PICKING THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT TO CO-LEAD THE COMMISSION STALLED WHEN REPUBLICANS COULD NOT AGREE ON THEIR CO-CHAIR, AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT AGREED.

THAT FRIDAY MEETING THAT GOVERNOR DeWINE WAS SO HOPEFUL ABOUT, WELL, IT WAS CANCELED.

THIS SEEMS VERY SIMPLE.

MUCH OF THIS IS HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> YEAH.

SO ESSENTIALLY THE CO-CHAIR NEEDS TO BE PICKED BY THE LEGISLATIVE LEADER OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS DO NOT AGREE RIGHT NOW ON WHO THE CO-CHAIR SHOULD BE.

AND TO YOUR POINT, THIS SHOULD BE A VERY SIMPLE KIND OF PERFUNCTORY PART OF THE PROCESS.

AND I THINK WE'RE KIND OF QUESTIONING WHETHER THE REST OF THE PROCESS WILL RUN SMOOTHLY IF WE CAN'T GET OVER THIS VERY FIRST STEP.

>> NOW, THERE IS SOME -- MATT HOFFMAN IS TERM LIMITED IS.

HE'S EYEING A HOUSE SEAT AND THE HOUSE SPEAKERSHIP.

IS HE TRYING TO JOCKEY FOR POSITION TO DRAW MAPS THAT WILL FAVOR THEIR CANDIDACIES?

>> THAT IS POSSIBLERY WHAT'S GOING ON.

NEITHER CANDIDATE HAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP.

I PRESUME SPEAKER STEPHENS WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE SPEAKER.

HE WAS ELECTED EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF SOME REPUBLICANS, AND SO HE'S IN AN INTERESTING POSITION.

AND THEN TO YOUR POINT, MATT HOFFMAN HAS EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE AND POTENTIALLY LEADING THE HOUSE AT SOME POINT.

SO THAT REALLY UNDERSCORES THE BACKGROUND OF THIS CO-CHAIR DISCUSSION.

>> THE SEVEN MEMBERS ON THIS COMMISSION, MIKE, THEY ALL HAVE AN EQUAL VOTING POWER.

FIVE REPUBLICANS, TWO DEMOCRATS.

THE CO-CHAIR IS -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY SYMBOLIC, BUT SEEMS KIND OF SYMBOLIC.

HOW ABOUT ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, GET IT OVER WITH?

>> THAT MIGHT BE THE BEST POLICY AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SENT OUT A LETTER ON AUGUST 30th SAYING HERE'S THE TIMELINE TO GET THIS DONE TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL MARCH 2024 PRIMARY.

THIS ALL SHOULD BE WRAPPED UP BY NEXT FRIDAY.

I'M GOING TO PREDICT IF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS CAN'T AGREE, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MAPS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE DRAMATICALLY CHANGED.

THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS ARE SET.

BUT BY NEXT FRIDAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE CO-CHAIRS AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO NAME SOMEONE TOO.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE IT YET.

WE'LL HAVE MAPS AND I'M WILLING TO PREDICT THE MAPS WILL BE VERY LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT NAMED THEIR CO-CHAIR.

THEY SAY THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE WHO THE REPUBLICAN CO-CHAIR IS.

MORGAN, DOES THIS NOT MAKE THE CASE THAT WE'LL FORGET ABOUT THIS IN A YEAR, BUT DOES THIS NOT MAKE THE CASE THAT POLITICS SHOULD BE OUT OF THIS PROCESS?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THIS IS PRETTY CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT WE CANNOT LEAVE SOMETHING LIKE DRAWING THE DISTRICTS FOR OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATION TO POLITICIANS.

THEY HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT THEY'RE CONSIDERING.

IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW DO WE DRAW THE FAIREST MAP THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO THE BEST REPRESENTATION FOR THE PEOPLE.

IT'S, HOW CAN I JOCKEY AND USE THIS PROCESS TO ADVANCE MY OWN POLITICAL CAREER.

IT'S REALLY A SHAME.

>> MATT HUFFMAN SAID THESE MAPS WILL BE BIPARTISAN.

REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD THIS PROCESS IN THEIR CONTROL SINCE 2011, AND IT'S HARDLY BEEN BIPARTISAN.

THEY HAVE MORE POWER NOW THAN THEY HAD THEN.

WHY WOULD THEY MAKE THESE MAPS BIPARTISAN?

>> WELL, THEY DO THE BEST THEY CAN.

IF THE DEMOCRATS CHOOSE TO VOTE NO EVERY TIME, YOU CAN BLAME IT ON THE DEMOCRATS.

I THINK THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE DRAWN FAIR AND BALANCED MAPS.

LINES DRAWN FOR DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS ARE WINNING.

THEY'RE RUNNING BETTER CANDIDATES WITH BETTER IDEAS.

>> YOU CAN'T SAY THIS IS NOT GERRYMANDERED.

>> I DISAGREE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, DEMOCRAT RUNS, A REPUBLICAN RUNS AND THE VOTERS DECIDE.

WE HAVE MICHELLE REYNOLDS.

-- SHE LOST WITH THE LINES DRAWN FOR HER TO A REPUBLICAN.

>> IT'S TOUGH TO TAKE THAT LINE OF REASONING SERIOUSLY.

CLEARLY THERE IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR REPUBLICANS THAT ARE DRAWING THESE DISTRICTS, THAT ARE CHOOSING THEM AND CHERRY PICKING THE DRAWING OF THESE DISTRICTS AND THE BOUNDARIES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE FAVORING THEMSELVES TO WIN THESE SEATS.

ONE CASE OF A SEAT FLIPPING, I'M SORRY TO ADMIT IS NOT EVIDENCE OF SOME KIND OF FAIR PROCESS OVERALL.

>> WE WANT TO GET TO THE EFFORT TO CHANGE THE PROCESS.

THERE IS AN EFFORT, JESSIE, TO GET ON THE BALLOT IN 2024 TO ESTABLISH A 15-MEMBER WHAT THEY CALL COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.

DAVE YOST HAS REJECTED PETITION LANGUAGE SAYING IT'S NOT TRUTHFUL OR ACCURATE.

WHAT'S HIS REASONING THIS TIME?

>> HE WAS LOOKING AT THE LANGUAGE AND KIND OF THE WAY THAT THE PARTISANS WERE DEFINED AND SAID THAT THAT WASN'T SPECIFIC ENOUGH IN THE SUMMARY.

SO THE GROUP WILL GO BACK AND TRY AGAIN.

THIS IS A GROUP THAT IS LED OR, YOU KNOW, PROMINENTLY INVOLVED.

IT'S FORMER OHIO SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE MAUREEN O'CONNOR, AND A LOT OF THESE REDISTRICTING DECISIONS IN 2022.

SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PROCESS.

THEY'RE AIMING FOR THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT.

>> MORGAN, IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CORRECT HERE?

WAS IT NOT PROPERLY DEFINED, THE POLITICAL AFFILIATION PART, PARTICULARLY THE FOLKS WHO WILL CHOOSE THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMISSION?

>> THAT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, SO I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE.

I DO THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF NAILING DOWN THE LANGUAGE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING, THE POLITICAL PROCESS LEADING TO THE DRAWING OF OUR MAPS IS RESULTING IN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MAPS.

WE CAN NO LONGER RELY ON OUR SUPREME COURT, OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO FIX THIS.

SO WE NEED TO TURN THE POWER OVER TO THE PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO LOOK OUT FOR OURSELVES.

>> CAN AN ATTORNEY ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH LEGAL LANGUAGE, MIKE, AND MIGHT THIS GO ON FOREVER AND DAVE YOST SAYING, NO, FIX THIS, FIX THAT.

>> HE COULD DO THAT.

IF THEY DON'T MEET THE LEGAL STANDARD, THAT'S DAVE'S JOB TO MAKE SURE THEY DO.

DAVE SAID PLANNED PARENTHOOD -- IF THE GROUP THAT'S TRYING TO CHANGE OUR SYSTEM TO RE-GERRYMANDER WITH THEIR OWN 15 INDEPENDENT IN AIR QUOTES PEOPLE, THEN THEY HAVE TO GET THE LANGUAGE RIGHT.

THEY HAVE THE COURTS TO GO TO IF THEY DISAGREE WITH DAVE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, DAVE IS DOING HIS JOB WITHOUT PUTTING HIS PERSONAL OPINION IN THERE.

WILL IT BE ON THE BALLOT?

MOST LIKELY.

THEN THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE.

>>> WHEN YOU WATCH FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND, YOU LIKELY WILL SEE THE START OF WHAT WILL BE THE FIRST OF MANY TV ADS IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR AND AGAINST NOVEMBER'S ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS ARE OUT WITH THEIR FIRST AD.

IT'S A PRETTY STANDARD SPOT.

IT SAYS REPRODUCTIVE MEDICAL DECISIONS SHOULD BE LEFT TO PEOPLE AND THEIR DOCTORS, NOT THE GOVERNMENT.

IT CLAIMS OHIO'S CURRENT SIX-WEEK ABORTION BAN IS EXTREME AND INCLUDES NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

NO DOUBT ABORTION RIGHTS OPPONENTS SOON PLAN TO LAUNCH THEIR TV AD CAMPAIGN.

JESSIE, A FAST CHECK ON THE AD.

IT SEEMED LIKE A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AD, WERE THERE ANY RED FLAGS IN THE AD AS FAR AS FACTS OR WHAT WAS SAID OR WASN'T SAID?

>> YEAH.

SO THEY MENTIONED A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY MENTIONED ACCESS TO ABORTION AND MISCARRIAGE CARE AND CONTRACEPTION OR BIRTH CONTROL, AND REALLY THE FOCUS OF THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ON ABORTION ACCESS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN UP FOR DEBATE IN THE OHIO LEGISLATURE AND WOULD BE CHANGED MOST PROMINENTLY IN THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

THERE REALLY HASN'T BEEN VERY MUCH IN THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS MISCARRIAGE CARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THEN CONTRACEPTION IS REALLY UP TO YOUR DEFINITION.

LIKE IF YOU THINK THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A PUSH TO DEFINE LIFE IS BEGINNING AT CONCEPTION, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT SOME VERSIONS OF BIRTH CONTROL.

BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT MEASURE GET THROUGH THE OHIO LEGISLATURE.

>> WHEN DOES THE AD CAMPAIGN BEGIN FOR YOUR SIDE?

>> SOON.

YOU'LL START SEEING -- EVERY DAY YOU TURN ON THE TV, NOT JUST FOOTBALL SATURDAYS FROM US.

THE AD IS LIE AND DECEPTIVE.

NO ONE IS GOING TO CHECK IT, BUT WE WILL.

BIRTH CONTROL, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL, MIKE, CURRENTLY.

>> HOLD ON.

THAT LAW HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY THE SO-CALLED HEARTBEAT LAW, WHICH IS ON HOLD.

IF A JUDGE RULES THAT THE SIX-WEEK ABORTION BAN IS LEGAL, IT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION, SOMETHING YOU SAY IT DOES NOT, THAT LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

THE SIX-WEEK ABORTION BAN.

>> GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE OVER 2 1/2 YEARS AGO SIGNED THE HEART BEAT BILL.

IT'S NOT BEEN EFFECT FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE IT WAS PUT ON HOLD.

>> IT IS FIVE MONTHS.

THERE'S NO LAW AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL AT ALL.

NO ONE IS PROPOSING IT.

THAT LAW IS FULL OF LOOPHOLES.

NO ONE IS FACT CHECKING THEIR AD.

>> LET'S FACT CHECK THAT.

LATE TERM ABORTION.

YOU POINT TO THAT ALL THE TIME.

THE FACTS ARE THAT LESS THAN 1% OF ABORTIONS IN OHIO OCCUR AFTER WEEK 21.

THAT IS ALLOWED IN THE CARDIAC ACTIVITY LAW THAT IS ON HOLD RIGHT NOW.

HERE IS THE PROVISION IN THAT LAW THAT SAYS THAT THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS THERE.

THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A PHYSICIAN WHO PERFORMS OR INDUCES THE ABORTION IF THE PHYSICIAN BELIEVES THAT A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2919.16 OF THE REVISED CODE.

IF YOU GO TO 2919.16, HERE'S WHAT THAT SAYS.

POST-VIABILITY ABORTION EXCEPTIONS.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY MEANS A CONDITION THAT IN THE PHYSICIAN'S GOOD FAITH MEDICAL JUDGMENT, BASED ON THE FACTS KNOWN TO THE PHYSICIAN AT THE TIME, SO COMPLICATES THE WOMAN'S PREGNANCY AS TO NECESSITATE THE IMMEDIATE PERFORMANCE OF INDUCEMENT OF AN ABORTION IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE DEATH OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN OR TO AVOID A SERIOUS RISK OF THE SUBSTANTIAL AND IRREVERSIBLE IMPAIRMENT OF A MAJOR BODILY FUNCTION OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN.

THAT DELAY IN THE PERFORMANCE OR INDUCEMENT OF THE ABORTION COULD CREATE.

THAT IS CURRENT LAW.

THAT'S THE HEARTBEAT LAW.

IT ALLOWS ABORTION, IN THEORY, UP TO THE EIGHTH AND NINTH MONTH IF IT MEETS THAT EXCEPTION.

WHY IS THIS AMENDMENT ANY DIFFERENT THAN THAT?

>> BECAUSE THE HEART BEAT LAW IS NOT THE LAW IN OHIO.

YOU'RE MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THE COURT WILL AGREE WITH IT.

>> LET'S FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT THE LAW THAT'S ON THE BOOK IS PUT INTO EFFECT.

IT ALLOWS ABORTIONS, IF IT MEETS THAT CRITERIA, UP UNTIL REALLY THE NINTH MONTH.

WHY IS THAT NOT HAPPENING NOW?

>> WELL, BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL NOW UNDER OUR CURRENT LAW, WHICH IS THE -- WE ALWAYS SUPPORT LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

WE DO.

THE REASON WHY THERE AREN'T LATE TERM ABORTIONS NOW IS BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL.

>> IT WILL BE ILLEGAL UNDER -- IT'S ILLEGAL IF YOU DON'T MEET THOSE CRITERIA.

>> NOT UNDER WHAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS PROPOSING.

THEY SAY IF YOU WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE SCREEN TOO.

THE STATE SHALL MAKE NO LAW THAT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INTERFERES WITH AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

THAT IS THEIR LANGUAGE, MIKE.

>> IF THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER IS IN DANGER.

>> OR FOR ANY REASON THE PHYSICIAN FEELS OTHERWISE.

PUT THE LANGUAGE BACK UP THERE.

>> I'LL JUST SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A BIT OF A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THIS AND RELATED TO THE AD.

I THOUGHT ONE OF THE EFFECTIVE THINGS ABOUT THE AD IS IT'S DRAWING WHAT I VIEW IS A REALLY RELATABLE EXPERIENCE FOR OHIOANS.

I HAVE A FRIEND FROM CATHOLIC SCHOOL GROWING UP WHO TOLD ME SHE STRUGGLED WITH A PREGNANCY WHERE SHE WAS FACING SOME TOUGH DECISIONS AND ALSO HAS HER FAITH.

SHE IS A VERY OBSERVANT CATHOLIC.

AND KNOWING THAT SHE HAD TO RECONCILE THOSE THINGS BUT LANDING ON A PLACE OF, I'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY WOMAN HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS.

AND THAT WAS AN EVOLUTION SHE HAD EXPERIENCED OVER THE COURSE OF HER LIFE.

SO THE AD WAS DRAWING ON THESE THEMES OF FAITH, OF FREEDOM, OF THE NEED FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY REALISTIC.

>> THE LATE TERM ABORTION COULD BE SEEN AS A RED HERRING BECAUSE IT SIMPLY DOES NOT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

IT'S THE SAME BOTH -- WELL, ALL DUE RESPECT TO MIKE, IT'S THE SAME IN BOTH LAWS.

PARENTAL CONSENT IS AN ISSUE IN THIS.

THE NEW AMENDMENT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR -- IT DOES NOT INCLUDE AN EXCEPTION FOR MINORS TO HAVE TO GET THEIR PARENTS' CONSENT TO HAVE AN ABORTION, WHICH IS THE LAW RIGHT NOW IN OHIO.

THAT LAW COULD BE CHALLENGED IF THIS AMENDMENT WERE TO PASS.

SHOULD THAT HAVE BEEN IN THIS AMENDMENT?

>> WELL, I COME BACK TO THE SAME THEME, IS THAT AS A PERSON WHO IS FACING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, THOSE ARE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT FOR THE STATE TO GET TOO INVOLVED IN.

YOU KNOW, NOT PART OF DRAFTING THIS LANGUAGE, I THINK AS A PERSON LIVING IN THIS STATE, I BELIEVE STRONGLY IN THE ABILITY FOR WOMEN TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND MANAGE THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

>> THAT'S WHY PRO-CHOICE WOMEN ARE SAYING THIS IS A BRIDGE TOO FAR.

TAKE PARENTS OUT OF THE EQUATION.

THAT'S A DEAL KILLER FOR EVEN PRO-CHOICE WOMEN.

>>> MOVING ON, THIS NOVEMBER'S HIGH PROFILE ELECTION IS OVERSHADOWING THE START OF THE U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN.

JUST SIX MONTHS NOW FROM NOW, REPUBLICAN VOTERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR CANDIDATE.

FRANK LAROSE IS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CONTROVERSY.

HE WANTS TO RELOCATE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO A NEW LOCATION TO THE SAME BUILDING LISTED AS HIS CAMPAIGN OFFICE.

HE SAYS IT'S COINCIDENTAL.

HE SAYS IT WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS $11,000 A YEAR IN RENT.

DEMOCRATS POINT OUT AT THAT RATE, IT WOULD TAKE DECADES TO PAY BACK THE $600,000 IT WOULD COST TO MOVE THE OFFICE.

MIKE, WE JUST FINISHED THE U.S. OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT WHERE THEY HAVE UNFORCED ERRORS.

IS THIS AN UNFORCED ERROR ON THE PART OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE?

WHY PICK THAT BUILDING?

>> I THINK IT'S NONSENSE FOR THE LOCAL MEDIA AND HIS DETRACTORS AT BEST.

HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR OVER A YEAR.

I SPOKE WITH HIM TO DO THIS MOVE.

THE BUILDING DOWNTOWN, IT'S ALMOST IN RECEIVERSHIP.

IT'S BANKRUPT.

NO ONE CAN GET ANYTHING FIXED.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S 2023, AND THEY HAVE 1980s TECHNOLOGY IN THE BUILDING.

THEY THEY'RE NOT USING OVER TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR.

HE MOVED IT.

NOW IT'S IN A BUILDING WHERE HIS LAWYER IS.

THE CAMPAIGN OFFICE IS NOT IN THAT BUILDING WHERE THEY'RE MOVING TO.

ALL THE CAMPAIGN STAFF IS WORKING FROM HOME TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

SO THEY'RE NOT MOVING INTO THEIR CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS.

THAT'S WHERE THEIR DESIGNATION OF TREASURER IS LOCATED, WHATEVER THE LAW FIRM IS THAT'S DOING HIS WORK.

SO THIS IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

>> MORGAN?

>> WORKING, LIVING DOWNTOWN, THERE'S A LOT OF AVAILABLE BUILDINGS TO CHOOSE FROM.

SO IT IS A BIT OF A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.

I WONDER ALSO IF IT'S POSSIBLE THAT EVENTUALLY CAMPAIGN STAFF MIGHT BE MOVING INTO THAT BUILDING LATER ON AS THE CAMPAIGN PROGRESSES.

OVERALL, I THINK WE'RE SEEING FRANK LAROSE HAS SOME QUESTION POLITICAL -- AS THIS CAMPAIGN HAS GOTTEN OUT OF THE GATE AND PROBABLY DOESN'T BODE WELL.

>> IT'S SIX MONTHS.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A LONG WAY AWAY, BUT WE VOTE IN MARCH IN THE PRIMARY, OHIOANS DO.

THIS CAMPAIGN IS KIND OF BEING OVERSHADOWED BY THE ABORTION RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AND THE MARIJUANA CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL GET GOING HERE SOON.

>> YEAH, IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE EVEN JUST TALKING WITH EDITORS, THEY'RE LIKE ONCE WE GET PAST NOVEMBER, WE'LL THINK ABOUT MARCH.

I WAS LIKE, THAT'S GOING TO BE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, EVERYONE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ADS BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES AND THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IN PARTICULAR.

THIS IS REALLY A THREE-PERSON RACE, SO IT'S WAY LESS CROWDED THAN IT WAS THE LAST TIME.

SO THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE PERSONALITIES OF THE CANDIDATES.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT THESE THREE CANDIDATES IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> CAN THEY AFFORD TO RUN ADS DURING THE FALL WITH ALL THE OTHER ADS RUNNING RIGHT NOW?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT'S EXPENSIVE.

TRUST ME, I KNOW, TO RUN ONE 30-SECOND COMMERCIAL DURING AN OHIO STATE FOOTBALL GAME LET ALONE STATEWIDE.

I THINK THEY'LL PROBABLY KEEP THEIR POWDER DRY UNTIL THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND GO HEAVY LEADING UP TO MARCH.

>> SHERIFF BROWN ISN'T FACING A PRIMARY OPPONENT BUT WE'RE ABOUT A YEAR AWAY FROM WHEN HE'LL FACE HIS OPPONENT.

FRANK LAROSE IS BASICALLY TIED IN THE LAST PUBLIC POLL.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY TIGHT NO MATTER WHO COMES THROUGH THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

BUT SHERROD BROWN WILL HAVE ALL OF THESE EFFORTS.

A LOT OF THAT ORGANIZING IS GOING TO FEED RIGHT INTO HIS CAMPAIGN, AND I THINK HE'LL BE WELL PREPARED FOR NOVEMBER.

>>> THE STATE CAME OUT WITH ITS ANNUAL REPORT CARDS ON EDUCATION.

IT IS USING A NEW SCORING SYSTEM.

NO LETTER GRADES BUT STARS.

URBAN DISTRICT -- NEW ALBANY AND UPPER ARLINGTON GOT FIVE STARS ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH SCORING SYSTEM WE USE, LETTER GRADES, NUMBERS, STARS.

URBAN DISTRICTS ALWAYS FARE MUCH WORSE THAN WEALTHY SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.

WHY CAN'T WE FIX THIS?

>> WELL, WE'VE KNOWN FOR SOME TIME, PRETTY MUCH MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE THAT THE WAY WE FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BASING IT ON PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS IS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THAT.

THE FACT WE HAVE NO POLITICAL WILL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS A TRAGEDY FOR A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN.

LET'S BE CLEAR.

THERE'S NO FUTURE FOR OHIO OR COLUMBUS BEING A SILICON HEARTLAND IF WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE THAT SUFFERS THESE LOW LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT.

IT'S A MAJOR ISSUE.

>> CRITICS POINT TO -- COLUMBUS SCHOOLS DO GET A LOT OF MONEY.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, YET THEY HAVE NOT IMPROVED.

VOTERS IN COLUMBUS HAVE PASSED LEVY AFTER LEVY, STATE FUNDING IS INCREASED YET THEY STILL HAVE TWO STORES.

>> WE HAVE A LEVY THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD A LEVY IN COLUMBUS.

I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO BE HONEST THAT THE COLUMBUS DISTRICT IS FACING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHALLENGES WITH THEIR STUDENT BODIES THAN AN UPPER ARLINGTON, THAN IN MORE AFFLUENT DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, WHICH IS ECONOMICS, POVERTY, AND A LOT OF KIDS WHO HAVE COMPLEX ISSUES THAT THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE COMING TO THE CLASSROOM WITH, AND THAT IS NOT THE SAME SITUATION IN A LOT OF THE SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.

>> SHOULD THESE GRADES BE WEIGHTED ON INCOME BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR TO COMPARE UPPER ARLINGTON OR BEXLY OR NEW ALBANY AND THE COMMUNITIES THERE TO COLUMBUS.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE TOO COMPLICATED BECAUSE TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR WHETHER YOU LIVE IN A POOR ZIP CODE OR RICH ZIP CODE FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GETS MORE MONEY.

THEY HAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CASH RESERVE AND NOW THEY WANT ANOTHER $100 MILLION.

YOU CAN THROW ALL THE MONEY YOU WANT AT IT.

BUT IF YOU HAVE A WEAK SCHOOL BOARD AND PARENTS THAT AREN'T HOLDING THEIR KIDS RESPONSIBLE -- WE HAVE 13-YEAR-OLDS KILLING 15-YEAR-OLDS AT EASTON.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS TOWN.

THIS NOVEMBER, ABORTION AND WEED ARE THE BIG ISSUES, BUT THERE ARE SCHOOL BOARD RACES ACROSS THE STATE.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE YOUR KID'S SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, VOTE FOR THE OTHER GUY OR GAL.

>> ONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS ARE BASED ON THE FACT THAT THEY ARE LOWER INCOME.

WE DON'T HAVE ECONOMIC RESOURCES THAT NEW ALBANY HAS.

>> THEY GIVE MORE MONEY TO SCHOOLS LIKE COLUMN BUS AND CINCINNATI, SO THEY'RE NOT KEEPING ALL THE MONEY THEY RAISE OFF THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB PUTTING MONEY IN THE THREE BIG C's.

IT'S WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH IT.

>> ALSO THIS WEEK, WE LEARNED A LOT OF NEWLY ELIGIBLE FAMILIES ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

AN ANALYSIS FOUND MORE THAN 70,000 STUDENTS HAVE APPLIED FOR THE VOUCHERS.

THE PROGRAM COULD COST THE STATE $432 MILLION THIS YEAR.

THAT'S $34 MILLION MORE THAN PREDICTED.

JESSIE, THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION OBJECTIVES SAID THIS IS GOING TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.

IT'S COSTING EVEN MORE THAN THEY PREDICTED.

>> I THINK WE CAN DEBATE WHETHER THIS IS A GOOD POLICY OR A BAD POLICY, AND PROBABLY OUR PANELISTS WILL.

BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY AN EXPENSIVE POLICY.

I THINK EVERY STATE WHERE THIS HAS BEEN -- FOR EXAMPLE, IN ARIZONA, IT HAS BEEN MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE ESTIMATES.

SO OHIO PERHAPS COULD HAVE LEARNED FROM OTHER STATES.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE ULTIMATE COST OF THIS POLICY IS.

>> DO WE KNOW WHO IS ACCEPTING THESE VOUCHERS?

IS IT NEW STUDENTS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, OR IS IT JUST THE PARENTS REALIZING THESE ARE OUT HERE NOW AND THEY'RE GOING TO APPLY FOR THEM?

>> IT IS A POLICY THAT WE NOW HAVE IN OHIO, SO YOU CAN'T REALLY FAULT PEOPLE FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

AND THEY ARE.

SO A LOT OF IT IS CURRENT PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> THIS CAN BE STICKER SHOCK.

WE KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> SURE.

I HOPE IT HAPPENS EVEN MORE.

I'D RATHER DRAIN EVERY DOLLAR TO MAKE SURE EVERY KID CAN GO TO A GOOD SCHOOL BECAUSE THAT WILL FORCE THE BAD SCHOOLS TO GET BETTER.

WHY SHOULD YOU BE STUCK IN A BAD SCHOOL IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS WHERE NOW YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?

IT'S THE GREATEST CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE WE HAVE IS TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS GET EDUCATED REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE.

IF THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, SO BE IT.

>> MORGAN, WHAT ABOUT THAT COMPETITION ARGUMENT?

>> WELL, FIRST I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S TOTALLY CLEAR THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE LEAVING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND USING A VOUCHER TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL, THAT YOU'RE NECESSARILY GETTING A BETTER EDUCATION.

DO WE HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT'S SHOWING THAT?

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE DATA.

OVERALL, YES, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON HOW WE ARE PREPARING OUR CHILDREN, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OHIO TO BE READY FOR THE FUTURE.

BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS FALSEHOOD THAT SOMEHOW THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY COST TO FUNNELING PROGRAM THAT IN CERTAIN CASES THAT IS HELPING FAMILIES THAT ARE WELL RESOURCED IS THE BEST IDEA.

>> WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL SITUATION?

THE MORE MONEY THAT GOES TO THE VOUCHERS, DOES IT DIRECTLY TAKE AWAY FROM SCHOOL FUNDING?

>> THE LEGISLATURE, I BELIEVE, IS TRYING TO DIRECTLY FUND THIS VOUCHER SYSTEM.

>> IT ALL COMES OUT OF THE SAME POT AT SOME POINT.

>> ULTIMATELY IT'S ALL OHIO TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> MIKE, SHOULD THERE BE A CAP ON HOW MUCH MONEY GOES TO THESE VOUCHERS?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

EDUCATION AND OUR CHILDREN ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET WE HAVE, NOT ROADS, NOT BRIDGES, NOT OUR HOMES, OUR CHILDREN.

>> WHAT IF IT TAKES AWAY FROM OTHER EDUCATION -- >> IT DOESN'T MATTER.

MAKING SURE OUR KIDS GET THE BEST K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION THEY CAN.

WHATEVER THOSE LANES ARE, THEY DO HAVE TO MEET ACCREDITING STANDARDS BASED ON THEIR INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE OUT THERE JUST QUIETLY PASSING KIDS THAT DON'T READ AND WRITE.

>>> LET GET TO OUR FINAL PARTING SHOTS.

MORGAN, YOU'RE FIRST.

>> SO WE LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT AMAZON, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST PROFITABLE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, WILL CONTINUE TO GET TAX BREAKS AS THEY BUILD OUT DATA CENTERS.

JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE HERE THAT AMAZON IS BUILDING DATA CENTERS AND THEY ARE DRAINING A LOT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FROM OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AS THEY GET THESE TAX BREAKS.

>> MIKE.

>> VERY BAD, AWFUL WEEK FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS STARTED.

HIS SON HUNTER BIDEN INDICTED ON FEDERAL GUN CHARGES.

HORRIFIC POLLING NUMBERS CAME OUT FOR HIM.

THEN THE UNITED AUTOWORKERS STRIKE.

THE UNITED AUTO WORKER PRESIDENT'S HOMETOWN LASH OUT AT BIDEN.

HAS HE HIT ROCK BOTTOM?

>> THE TOP SENATE DEMOCRAT SHARED SOMETHING ON TWITTER WHICH WAS A STICK FIGURE BANGING HIS HEAD AGAINST A WALL, AND IF THAT DOES NOT REPRESENT OUR REDISTRICTING PROCESS, WE'LL FIND OUT.

>> STICK FIGURE CONCUSSIONS WILL BE THE NEXT HEALTH CARE WORRY.

THE BUCKEYES PLAY WESTERN KENTUCKY THIS WEEKEND.

BUCKEYES ARE UNDEFEATED.

THEY HAVE TROUNCED THEIR TWO OPPONENTS, LIKELY WILL DO THE SAME THING THIS WEEK.

AND I PREDICT THAT EVEN IF THAT HAPPENS, MANY BUCKEYE FANS WILL STILL NOT BE SATISFIED.

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

PLEASE CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

YOU CAN WATCH US ANYTIME ON YOUR TIME AT OUR WEBSITE, WOSU.ORG/COTR, OR YOU CAN WATCH US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THAT TO YOUR SMARTPHONE, YOUR iPAD, OR YOUR COMPUTER.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.