>> COLUMBUS FACES A FIERCE FIGHT OVER ZONING.

WELCOME TO, SOME OF RECORD.

COURT FILES RELATED TO THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS PLAY A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP AT THE STATES TOP UTILITY REGULATOR HAD WITH ONE OF THE STATES LARGEST UTILITIES.

FILING PART OF THE BRIBERY AND THEFT CASE AGAINST FORMER UTILITY CHAIRMAN, SAM --.

FIRST ENERGY EXECUTIVE, CHARLES JONES AND MICHAEL --AND THEY PAID MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR FAVORABLE TREATMENT.

HERE IS SOME OF THE INTERESTING PIECES OF EVIDENCE.

PROSECUTORS SAY --TEXTED THIS LOBBYIST WHO WAS THAT THEN CHAIRMAN JUST ABOUT THE SUPERHERO.

HERE IS THE IMAGE OF HIM WEARING A RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER NEXT TO THE ENERGY EXECUTIVE AND LOBBYIST.

AND THE CEO CHUCK JONES SENT THIS MEETING, THE TRAINING EXECUTIVE.

WITH THE WORDS, HB SIX, F ANYBODY WHO HATES US.

WHAT DO THE PROSECUTORS SAY THESE MEME'S SHOW ?

IS IT MORE THAN GUYS BEING GUYS AND HORSING AROUND?

>> THE UNDERLYING CHARGES ARE THE EXECUTIVES GAVE ABOUT $4.3 MILLION AS PART OF A BRIBE TO ESSENTIALLY WIN FAVORABLE DECISIONS AND ASSISTANCE FROM SAMUEL RANDAZZO.

WHO WAS ON THE BILL CALLED HOUSE BILL SIX, WHICH GAVE FIRSTENERGY.

THOSE ARE THE ALLEGATIONS.

THE DETAILS AND PHOTOS AND MEANS THAT CAME OUT OF PART OF THE OHIO ATTY.

GEN. INVESTIGATION ARE SHOWN HOW COAT THIS IS HOW CLOSE RANDAZZO WAS WITH THESE FELLOWS, AND PARTICULAR, PEOPLE HE WAS TASKED WITH REGULATING.

LIKE GOING TO CHRISTMAS PARTIES TOGETHER.

>> BEFORE THE FIRST ENERGY THING CAME ABOUT ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS.

FOR THEY ALLEGE , AND I'M NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE TO KNOW HOW IMPROPER IT WAS.

IN THE LATE 2000, THE CALL THAT A SITE DEAL WITH AN ENERGY COMPANY AND THE WEIGHT WORKS IS THAT IF THEY WANT TO RAISE RATES, THEY NEED APPROVAL FROM PUCO .

THAT'S THE COMPANY THAT RANDAZZO WAS PUT IN CHARGE OF.

INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES ARE ABLE TO MAKE LARGE PAYMENTS AND SETTLE .

THEY ESSENTIALLY AGREED IN A WAY THAT MANY OTHERS CAN'T.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGED LESSONS HE LEARNED IN DOING THAT, IN WHICH HE DESCRIBED KEEPING IT SECRET TO AVOID THE PUBLIC SCRUTINY FROM HIS LATER CONDUCT DESCRIBED IN THE INDICTMENT.

TO .

>> I'M PROUD TO SAY AND NEVER REALLY DEALT WITH RANDAZZO.

I REMEMBER BACK IN THE 1990s, WHEN HE WAS REPRESENTING DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND ALL THE PEOPLE LIKE --.

REMEMBER THAT FAILURE AND PUSHING SOME OF THE THINGS.

HE'S BEEN KNOWN AS A LITTLE BIT SLIPPERY, AND YOU MAY CALL IT ONE-STOP SHOP PUTTING HIMSELF IN REPRESENTING ONE CLIENT AND THEN HE REPRESENTS THE OF THE CLIENT ON THE OTHER SIDE.

IS CALLED A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

TO ME THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU GET A $4.3 MILLION CHECK WHEN YOU DON'T SHOW THE INVOICE AND THE LAWYERS OF FIRSTENERGY SAID YOU CANNOT OR SHOULD NOT DO THAT.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

>> WE'VE BEEN COVERING THIS FOR OVER FOUR YEARS.

WE HEARD THE TAKES AND HAVE SEEN THE TEXT.

THE BOLDNESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP .

IT IS STILL STUNNING.

>> NOT REALLY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

THESE ARROGANT GUYS WERE ABOVE THE LAW AND THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING THEY WANT.

THERE ARE TWO SIDES.

ONE, WHAT CANNOT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS?

IT BLOWS MY MIND.

THEY USUALLY GET INTO OFFICE STATEWIDE WITH THE SCANDAL.

DID NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

SECOND PART, I GREW UP WITH GUYS LIKE THIS.

THESE GUYS ARE ON TOP OF THE WORLD.

IT SEEMS TO BE A HIGH THAT COMES WITH THE SO-CALLED FIRE --POWER.

THEY BECOME INTOXICATED AND LOSE ALL SENSE OF SELF.

>> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE DEMOCRATS AND NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE HALF OF THEM CAME FROM DEMOCRATS.

THE FIRST PERSON TO HOLD THE BIBLE AND CONGRATULATE HIM WITH THE FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE CHAIRMAN.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE LITTLE BIT OF YOU KNOW WHAT ON THEIR HANDS OVER HIM AND HOW WE GOT THERE.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC STATE REP SENT OUT A TWEET WITH A PICTURE OF RANDAZZO WITH THE CAPE.

THE DEMOCRAT VOTED FOR THE HOUSE HIMSELF TO BE A SPEAKER.

THE WITNESSES CAME OUT, THEY LISTED 61 NAMES.

NOT A WHOLE LOT OF SURPRISES.

MANY OF THEM WERE IN THE HOUSEHOLD TRIAL IN THE CAYMAN TESTIFIED.

THE AGENCY , MIKE DeWINE AND JOHNSTON'S NAME WAS NOT IN THERE.

BUT THE CHIEF OF STAFF'S NAME WAS ON THERE.

TO --AND HER HUSBAND, THE FORMER FIRST ENERGY LOBBYIST ARE BOTH ON THE LIST.

THERE IS SOME QUESTION ABOUT HOW EARLY AND TO WHAT EXTENT, SHE KNEW ABOUT THE $4.3 MILLION PAYMENT AND HOW MUCH SHE CONVEYED TO THE GOVERNOR AS TO BE APPOINTED TO THE POSITION OF POWER.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE MAY LEARN AT THE TRIAL.

IT IS A LIST THAT INCLUDES CURRENT AND FORMER PUCO COMMISSIONERS.

AND THE CURRENT CEO OF FIRSTENERGY.

>> THAT THEY CALL HOUSEHOLD TRIAL?

>> NO.

>> IS THERE ANY CHANCE THEY CAN CALL THE LIEUT.

GOV.

TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY KNEW WHEN THEY DO IT?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MAY DO BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DISCLOSED IT.

BUT IT IS LARGELY THAT, FOR THE CASE IN FEDERAL COURT, PROSECUTORS MADE A POINT OF SAYING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WAS NOT PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

IN THIS CASE, THEY ARE BEING CALLED AS WITNESSES.

BUT THERE'S THE POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO BE BROUGHT IN THE STAND WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY AND WHETHER THERE ARE MORE ANGLES AND OPENS UP A WHOLE DIFFERENT LINE OF QUESTIONING AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> IT'S GOING TO MOVE FASTER THAN THE FEDERAL CASE MOVED.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE IT DOESN'T GO TO TRIAL THAT THEY STRUCK A PLEA DEAL FOR RANDAZZO AND FIRSTENERGY EXECUTIVES ON THE CASE QUESTION MARK >> CHUCK JONES, THE FORMER CEO OF FIRSTENERGY, WHAT DOES HE KNOW AND WHAT IS HE SAYING?

ON THE LIST OF WITNESSES, THERE WAS A TRANSCRIPT BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS MADE PUBLIC.

IT'S INTERESTING WHAT QUESTIONS WERE ASKED, HOW DID THEY PROBE AND WHAT WERE THE ANSWERS?

CHUCK JONES, THE CEO AND MICHAEL DOWLING, THE FORMER VP, WHAT THEY MAY SAY AND THAT MIGHT TELL YOU A LOT.

>> IF THEY DO NOT STRUCK A DEAL THEY MAY GO FORWARD.

>> IT IS TO BE DETERMINED.

FOR IT IS STILL MONTHS A DAY BUT THE POLITICKING CERTAINLY UNDERWAY.

SO IS THE DEALMAKING EARLY NEXT YEAR.

REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE WHICH IS A GIVEN.

CURRENT STANDING PRESIDENT WILL CHALLENGE JASON STEVENS TO BE SPEAKER OF THE OHIO HOUSE.

LAST MONTH, THEY SAID SOME PEOPLE WANT THEM TO BE SPEAKER.

REPUBLICANS ALONE SHOULD LET THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

STEVENS CHOSE DEMOCRAT TO DO THE JOB LAST YEAR.

THIS WEEK, HE SAID REPUBLICANS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO RUN THE SENATE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RUN THE HOUSE.

IS IT GETTING A LITTLE BIT MORE SNIPPY BETWEEN THESE TWO?

>> IT IS COMING OUT IN THE OPEN.

THERE WAS A WIDESPREAD UNDERSTANDING FROM PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED CLOSELY THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE.

NOW THAT THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS OVER, MATT HUFFMAN ACKNOWLEDGES HE IS DOING THIS INSTEAD OF DRAWING OUT JASON STEVENS.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS HOW THIS SORT OF DYNAMIC EFFECTS LEGISLATION FORWARD.

THE DEADLINE WITH THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO MEET THE CAPITAL BUDGET AND THERE'S LEGISLATION AND POTENTIAL FOR CHANGES TO THE MARYLAND STATUTE THAT VOTERS APPROVED OF.

ULTIMATELY, IT MATTERS ARE VYING FOR THE SAME JOB HAVE TO COOPERATE IN ORDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION.

IT IS A FUN DYNAMIC FOR US.

>> THE CAPITAL BUDGET, I'M NOT SAYING IT IS IN JEOPARDY BUT THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT GOING WELL IN THE HOUSE.

ANY CHANCE IT IS THE CAPITAL BUDGET THAT DOLES OUT A LOT OF MONEY TO LOCAL PROJECTS AND THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN STATE REPS AND DISTRICTS AND THEY WANT THE MONEY TO COME OUT?

TO NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN GOING WELL ON MANY THINGS FOR MANY MONTHS NOW.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS PART OF THE DEBATES.

THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

STATE LAWMAKERS CAN RUN ON AGAINST OPPONENTS IN NOVEMBER.

I IMAGINE SOME FORM OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET WILL GET DONE AND HOW MUCH INFIGHTING WORK YOU WILL HAVE TO FACE TO GET TO THAT POINT IS THE QUESTION.

>> WE DON'T HAVE UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY OR JUNE TO GET IT DONE SO THERE'S STILL TIME.

THE BEST THING I WILL PREDICT EARLY AS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, THEY WILL DELIVER THE STATE MESSAGE TO THE JOINT SESSION IN THE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT TOGETHER ON THEIR ROSTER AND EVERYBODY WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE THE VARIOUS FACIAL MOVES, BODY LANGUAGE IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO OF THE GOVERNOR.

IT'LL BE TUNING INTO TV TO WATCH.

FOR KAMALA HARRIS AND SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON DURING THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

>> IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET ALONG, EXCEPT THESE PEOPLE ARE IN THE SAME PARTY.

>> THIS IS A BIT OF HISTORY I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

YOU HAVE POWER, ABSOLUTE POWER, BUT YOU CHOOSE TO FIGHT AMONG YOURSELVES?

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THEY CANNOT NEGOTIATE.

THE PIE IS BIG ENOUGH.

I WONDER WHY THEY CAN'T !

>> MATT HUFFMAN SUGGESTED ON HIS PODCAST HE WAS TALKING TO DEMOCRATS.

IS THERE ANY WAY DEMOCRATS SUPPORT HIM?

THERE OPPOSITION TO THE ABORTION- RIGHTS AMENDMENT THAT PASSED IN NOVEMBER.

IT IS PRETTY CONSERVATIVE.

>> WERE NOT SURPRISED.

IF YOU LISTENED THIS PAST WEEK, SHE MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR AND THE PEOPLE WHO TALK TO HER CONVEYED TO ME THE GAP BETWEEN RUSSO AND HUFFMAN IS WIPER -- WIDER THAN THE MISSISSIPPI FROM HERE DOWN TO LOUISIANA.

THEY DON'T GET ALONG AT ALL.

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY, DEMOCRATS , THE LEVERAGE THEY HAVE IS , THERE ARE THINGS TO NOT LIKE ABOUT PRETTY MUCH ANY OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS.

I THINK IT WILL BE PRAGMATIC ABOUT IT.

THERE IS NO CHANCE.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, I DON'T THINK MATT HUFFMAN IS DEVELOPING ANYTHING BY ANY MEANS.

>> AT THE TUB SPRING FOR OHIO SCHOOL DISTRICT LOOKING TO RAISE TAXES.

ACROSS THE STATE OF THE MARCH TO APPROVE NEW MONEY.

ONLY 17% PREVAILED.

CENTRAL OHIO, SIX DISTRICTS INCLUDING THE --SCHOOLS, SOUTHER TAX INCREASE REQUESTS FAILED BADLY.

RISING PROPERTY VALUES THAT INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES WITHOUT A VOTE.

THE DISTRICT ASKS FOR HIGH TAXES AND A PRIMARY THAT DREW MY REPUBLICAN VOTERS THAN DEMOCRATIC ONES.

>> MANY SEASONS COME AND GO.

IS IT A BLIP?

IS A PART OF A LONG TREND?

>> IT IS A CALCULATION THAT STARTED WITH THE FAMOUS CASE CALLED --.

AND HOUSE SCHOOLS EQUATIONS AND FUNDING SCHOOLS WERE PUT TOGETHER.

THIS HAS BEEN A PATH THAT HAS BEEN LAID A LONG TIME.

THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST.

>> SO YOU THINK THIS IS A LONGER-TERM TREND?

>> YES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE OLD DISTRICT, THAT WAS MALPRACTICE TO PUT IT ON THE MARCH BALLAD WITH A HEAVY REPUBLICAN TURNOUT.

IN NOVEMBER?

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WE FORGET BETWEEN THE PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL AND THE VALUE INCREASES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FACTORS.

BUT ALSO, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE FAILING WERE FEELING TIGHT THAT THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE GAS STATION.

THEY FEEL THE ECONOMICS AND THINGS OUT-OF-CONTROL WITH PROPERTY TAXES.

>> AT THE STATE LEVEL, IF THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE FULL BLOWN FORM LEGISLATION, BUT THEY WORKED AROUND THE EDGES AND INCREASED THE FUNDING TO SCHOOLS AND TWEAKED THE FORMULA BID.

THEY KEEP FAILING AND WILL BE FOR STATE ACTION?

FOR IT IS HARD TO TELL AT THIS POINT AND WITH THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION.

THE REAPPRAISAL'S JUST CAME OUT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH MY REPUBLICAN TURNOUT.

THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION SET ABOUT 69% PASSED IN 2023 AND 73% IN 2022.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS THE MOST RECENT ELECTION WAS A BIT OF AN LOOK, IN 2024 AND THE POLL TO SEE IF WE ARE IN THE SAME SPOT AND START TO SEE A TREND.

>> I WONDER IF IT IS PART OF A LONG GAME STRATEGY WAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ASK FOR BIG NUMBERS IN THE PRIMARY AND ONE ELECTION AND THEN COME BACK TO THE MORE REASONABLE NUMBER THE NEXT ELECTION.

WE LEARNED AND WE FOUND WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AND ASKED FOR MORE MONEY INSTEAD.

>> IN THE OTHER SCHOOL EXAMPLE, THAT IS A REALLY EXPENSIVE STRATEGY.

IS A LOT OF FUNDRAISING GOING ON WITH THAT.

IT IS REMINISCENT OF A PINNACLE -- LITTLE CAMPAIGN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OPTIONS ARE LIMITED.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS PASSED A LAW THAT BASICALLY BAD SCHOOLS FROM BEING ABLE TO, LIVING IN MOST INSTANCES AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS, WHEN THE TURNOUT LOWER IS DIFFERENT, OPTIONS IN THE FUTURE WILL BE THE PRIMARY GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.

BUT MORE LIKELY, THEY WILL HAVE TO FACE ELECTORS LIKE THE ONE THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> MIKE, THEY ALSO IS THE IDEA IS SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE BIG DEALS TO DEVELOPERS AND TAX BASES FOR SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES.

YOU CANNOT MAKE TOO MANY MISTAKES ON THAT.

OR YOU WILL RUN INTO PROBLEMS.

FUNDAMENTALLY, THE STATE HAS NOT GIVEN ITS APPROPRIATE CHAIR FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF OHIO.

WHETHER THEY WILL GO BACK AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, OR ARE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

OR THE SYSTEM WILL COLLAPSE?

SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

>> HOW ABOUT VOUCHERS?

EXPANDING THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR A VOUCHER.

ANY STUDENTS TAKING THE VOUCHER ARE ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE SUBURBAN DISTRICTS ESPECIALLY.

WILL THE TRICKLE UP TO THE LEVEES AS MORE STUDENTS ARE TAKING VOUCHERS?

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN EXCEPTION AND AN UNUSUAL THING.

THERE SUCH HIGH GROWTH.

TO AGREE WITH SAM, THE WHOLE FORMULA FOR SCHOOL FUNDING IS TROUBLESOME BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SHRUNK DRAMATICALLY ENROLLMENTS.

THEY GET THE SAME LEVEL OF MONEY EVEN THOUGH THE REDUCTION HAS GROWN IT HAS NOT GOTTEN THE CORRESPONDING THING.

IT IS HARD TO MAKE A CERTAIN THING THAT WORKS IN ALL 600+ DISTRICTS.

>> HE DID HAVE AN OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN, WHICH THE SIGN SAYS IT'S OKAY --.

IT USED TO BE YOU NEVER HAD ORGANIZED OPPOSITION.

IT WAS ALWAYS THERE BUT KIND OF QUIET?

>> IT'S KIND OF BIG.

>> IS IT MORE PALATABLE TO BE OPPOSING THE KIDS?

>> YEAH.

WELL, NOT ONLY THAT , YOU CAN FORGIVE THE MONEY TO DO THAT AGAIN.

AND I THOUGHT I'D HEAR MYSELF SAYING THAT.

BUT I DON'T HAVE ENDLESS CASH.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GET MISSED OUT ON THAT.

I KNOW HOW PEOPLE GET UPSET.

THAT THEY HAVE SO MUCH MONEY.

I AGREE WITH SAM, ECONOMICS 101 PLAYS A FACTOR.

>> THERE WAS NOTHING THAT BASE --BOOTH TELEVISION RATINGS LIKE A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT CITY ZONING.

IF YOU LIVE NEXT TO A PLANNED HIGH-RISE , THE PROPERTY FOR AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, ZONING DISCUSSIONS BECOME REALLY INTERESTING REALLY QUICKLY.

THAT COULD BE WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBUS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

FACED WITH A HOUSING SHORTAGE AND AN HOUR-BASED ZONING MAP, CITY LEADERS ARE OVERHAULING IT.

IT IS THE FIRST MAJOR CITYWIDE A ZONING CHANGE IN 70 YEARS.

DEVELOPERS ARE DRIVING THE CITY MAKING , AND RESIDENCE AND THE CURRENT CHARACTERS OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WILL CHANGE.

EXPERTS SAY WE WOULD NEED 200,000 ADDITIONAL UNITS IN THE REGION IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS.

THE CITY SAYS, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PLAN WILL CREATE ROUGHLY AND THINGS HAVE THE CHANCE, RIGHT?

>> THINKS OF THE CHANGE.

THE QUESTION IS IS THIS THE RIGHT PLAN?

I WILL PUT IT IN ONE OF THE AREAS MENTIONED.

THE PEOPLE IN CLINTONVILLE REALLY WANT A SEVEN-STORY BUILDING ARE MORE WITH NO PARKING REQUIRED?

WHO KNOWS WHETHER THE PEOPLE WANT TO BUILD THAT AND WANT TO HAVE A TAX BASEMENT, TOO?

THE BUILDING WITH NO PARKING, --AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND THE SIDE STREETS WHERE THE RESIDENTIAL LIVES.

THOSE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS WITH SERIOUS DOUBTS OUT THERE.

BUT AGAIN, NO PARKING IS REQUIRED AT SEVEN STORIES.

IT ADDS UP TO SOMETHING, I'M NOT SURE EVERYBODY LIKES IT.

>> CITY OFFICIALS HOPE FOLKS WILL SHUN THEIR CARDS AND USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THE MAIN QUARTER, HIGH ST., BROAD STREET.

CLEVELAND AVENUE TO NAME A FEW.

>> THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT GOING >> HAS IT EVER COME?

>> THAT IS A CULTURAL CHANGE.

THAT IS JUST NOT FACILITIES CHANGING.

PEOPLE HAVE TO GET IN THEIR HEAD, I HAVE TO USE THIS.

WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS, WE ARE, BY DEFAULT, A COMMUNITY TO TAKE ALL THE APARTMENTS THAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS.

WHAT ABOUT MIDDLE-CLASS HOUSING?

OR, LUXURY HAS A QUESTION MARK ARE WE GIVING THAT TO THE SUBURBS?

WE DON'T WANT THE TAX BASE?

WE DON'T WANT THOSE TAX ZONES?

WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS AND HAVE A NICE, 2500 SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE THAT IS A REASONABLE HOUSE?

WHO ELECTED OFFICIALS?

TO GIVE IT UP?

I'M SECONDING WHAT SAM SAID BECAUSE ALL YOU DO IS DRIVE MY DEVELOPERS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY WANT TO TWIN SINGLE, BUT THERE IS LITTLE ROOM WHERE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GO UP AND DOWN AN ELEVATOR AND A SECOND STORY BUILDING.

>> HIGH STREET IN CLINTONVILLE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT DID NOW OR HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

PEOPLE 100 YEARS AGO WILL SEE AND BE MORTIFIED TO SEE WHAT IS THERE NOW.

A GAS STATION OR DUNKIN' DONUTS.

THIS IS PART OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE CITY .

CHANGE IS HARD.

IT IS PART OF THE PRICE YOU PAY, RIGHT?

FOR I THINK YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PUBLISHING GROWTH.

THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE 3 MILLION PEOPLE.

>> THEY ANTICIPATE BEING IN THE GREATER COLUMBUS AREA BY 2050.

THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE.

WHERE DO THEY LIVE AND WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING DO THEY WANT TO LIVE IN?

ARE THE NEIGHBORS OKAY WITH THEM BEING THERE?

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT COME UP WHEN ZONING HAPPENS.

IT'LL BE REALLY ROBUST DISCUSSION.

>> PART OF MY RESUME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

I USED TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBUS AND DO ZONING.

I USED TO DO THE WRITING AND REVIEWING.

I WAS PRACTICING URBAN DIVISIONAL PLANNING FOR SEVEN YEARS.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOES THROUGH CYCLES AND IT DEPENDS ON THE TIME OF THE CYCLE WE CATCH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE PROBLEM BECOMES IN THE CYCLE, THERE IS HIGH VACANCIES AND APARTMENTS.

THE CYCLE REQUIRES THAT TO HAPPEN.

THE QUESTION BECOMES WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE APARTMENTS WHEN THEY DON'T NEED IT.

>> TO SAM'S POINT, IS THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

SUBURBS ARE FACING THE HIGH DENSITY --.

THEY WANT TO PUT THE CONDO COMPLEX AND TOWNHOMES AND BACON AREAS.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO OFFER INCENTIVES FOR THE SUBURBS TO JUMP ON BOARD THE TRAIN AS WELL?

>> IS NOT AN AREA I HAVE EXPERTISE IN.

I SEE THE SUBURBS OF BUILDING THE TYPE OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS ON THE TYPE YOU DON'T ASSOCIATE WITH PLACES LIKE --.

WE SEE THE GROWTH THAT NECESSITATES THEM.

ON SOME LEVEL, THE MARKET WILL DRIVE WHERE THEY SEE THEMSELVES.

BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO THE CITY OFFICIALS TO MAKE A MORE ORDERLY PLAN ABOUT WHERE IT GOES.

YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE IN, -- ABOUT HOW IT CAME UP AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS PLANNED PROPERLY.

>> IT'S BEEN 70 YEARS SINCE THE CITY IS DONE IT.

THE DEVELOPERS HAVE TO GO TO THE AREA OF COMMISSIONS, A MARGINALIZED AREA OF COMMISSIONS.

IT IS TOO BUREAUCRATIC IN SOME AREAS TO DO EVEN THE SIMPLEST PROJECTS.

>> THE SYSTEM WE HAVE NOW IS NOT GOOD AND PERFECT AND IT NEEDS TO BE APPROVED.

THERE IS A BALANCE AND I WANT TO SECOND SOME OF SAM'S COMMENTS.

IF YOU DO IT WELL, ALL YOU DO IS DRIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OUT INTO THE SUBURBS TO GET TO LINCOLN COUNTY AND YOU MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR COMMERCE TO HAVE A FUTURE WANTS TO HAVE.

IT NEEDS A BALANCE .

THE SUBURBS TO BE HONEST ARE NOT THAT ANXIOUS.

THERE ARE NOT BIG PLOTS OF LAND UNLESS IT IS THE GOLF COURSE TO BUILD HIGH DENSITY.

I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO TAKE THE GOLF COURSE OUT.

>> GREAT.

>> HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE EACH NEIGHBORHOOD IS TREATED FAIRLY?

THE FOLKS IN CLINTONVILLE ARE SUCCESSFUL KEEPING THE HIGH- RISES OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND FOLKS LIKE CLEVELAND AVENUE.

>> THE WAY WE USED TO DO IT IN THE OLD DAYS.

IT IS CALLED NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING.

WHAT YOU DO IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.

HE GET THE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU TAKE THE LAND- USE ELEMENTS AND ZONING ELEMENTS AND YOU SIT THERE FOR SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS UNTIL YOU AGREE ON A DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE SEGMENT OF THE CITY.

THIS IS WHAT WE AGREED ON.

>> DOESN'T TRUMPET NOW?

>> ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR THE WHOLE CITY.

WHAT YOU DO INTEND SHE AND HIGH STREET AND CLEVELAND AVENUE CAN BE FOR DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.

IS TAKING A FORMULA TO APPLIED CITYWIDE.

>> I TOLD YOU ZONING WOULD BE INTERESTING.

TOO MUCH OF THESE MEETINGS COMING UP.

ANYWAY, IF YOU WANT HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW ZONING IS PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE HOUSING CRISIS, SUBPRIME --SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST CALLED UNTANGLING THE HOUSING CRISIS.

EPISODE TO UNTANGLE THE LONG AND COMPLICATED HISTORY OF ZONING AND HOW IT AFFECTS HOUSING.

WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCAST.

>> I WANT TO REMIND THE COMMUNITY WE WILL HAVE AN INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL.

IT'LL BE CRITICAL.

WE WILL BE CREATING A COMMISSION TO DRAW THE LINE.

IN OHIO, DEMOCRATS THE SAME NUMBER AS REPUBLICANS.

BECAUSE OF GERRYMANDERING.

REPUBLICANS OF GREATER POWER.

WE WANT TO BALANCE THAT.

>> MY PREDICTION IS, IN THE FUTURE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION IN THE U.S. SENATE.

AMAZINGLY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS, WE DID NOT MENTION EITHER ONE.

THE SENATE RACE WILL BE NICE AND HOT.

OHIO VOTED TWICE LAST YEAR BASICALLY TO UPHOLD ABORTION RIGHTS.

WILL THE ISSUE BE AS HOT AND SALIENCE FOR THIS YEAR?

THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION?

>> PEOPLE IN CLEVELAND ARE EXCITED ABOUT HOSTING THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR.

I WATCHED CAITLIN CLARK PLAY AGAINST LLC FOR IOWA.

I RECOMMEND PEOPLE CHECK IT OUT.

I'M A BIG BASKETBALL FAN.

I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW GOOD SHE IS AND SHE IS REALLY ENTERTAINING.THE GAMES ARE FUN TO WATCH.

>> THE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE FUNERAL , --, WHO SERVED THE AREA WITH A LOT OF KINDNESS AND INTEGRITY AND BIPARTISANSHIP.

MAYBE THE OHIO STATEHOUSE NEEDS WAY MORE THAN THAT.

>> I PREDICTED THE POLITICIANS, WILL STILL USE THEIR PHONES TO TEXT MESSAGES.

SOME DAYS, THE MESSAGES WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT THEM.

THEY WILL BE WATCHING THE MEANS, AND THEY SHOULD DO THAT.

>> THAT'S IT FOR THE RECORD THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND YOU CAN WATCH US ANY TIME ON IT TIME AT THAT'S IT FOR THE RECORD THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND YOU CAN WATCH US ANY TIME ON IT TIME@WUSO.ORG/OU GR AND ON YOUTUBE AND PBS UP FOR THE PANEL.

MY NAME IS MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK!