>>> OHIO VOTERS BRACE FOR A TRUMP/BIDEN REMATCH.

[ music ] [ music ] >>> WELCOME TO ""COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.""

JOE BIDEN RAN IN 2020 AS A TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENT.

APPARENTLY HE WANTS IT TO BE AN EIGHT-YEAR TRANSITION.

HE USED A PREPRODUCED VIDEO THIS WEEK.

HIS THEME IS TO, QUOTE, FINISH THE JOB AND PROTECT THE COMPANY FROM DONALD TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES.

>> CONTINUING AROUND THE COUNTRY WE'RE TAKING ON THE BEDROCK.

CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY THAT YOU PAID FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE WHILE CUTTING TAXES.

DICTATING HEALTH CARE AND TELLING PEOPLE ALL WHILE MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> OF COURSE, JOE BIDEN IS IN THE MIDST OF HIS 81st TRIP AROUND THE SUN.

HE WILL BE 82 ON INAUGURATION DAY AND 86 AT THE END OF HIS TERM.

DEREK CLAY, ANY OTHER PRESIDENT APPROACHING THE END OF HIS FIRST TERM, IT WOULD BE NO QUESTION.

WITH JOE BIDEN'S AGE, THERE IS A QUESTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT IS A QUESTION AND IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE QUESTION.

WE'VE MADE THIS CAMPAIGN ABOUT AGEISM AND IF WE WERE IN ANY OTHER -- IF WE BROUGHT AGEISM INTO THE WORKPLACE OR TALKED ABOUT IT IN ANY OTHER FORM, THEN WE WOULD BE LIKE HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEONE'S AGE AND DENY THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE MADE THIS CAMPAIGN ABOUT OR WHAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN ABOUT.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE GOP KNOWS THAT IF THERE'S A BIDEN/TRUMP RE-ELECTION, BIDEN IS GOING TO WIN AND THE AGEISM IS A DISTRACTION.

>> IT IS A FACTOR THOUGH.

I MEAN, THIS IS A HARD JOB.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, LEADER OF THE, QUOTE, FREE WORLD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> IT'S A HARD JOB AND ANYBODY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AGE EVEN IF HE WERE A REPUBLICAN.

I'D BE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AGE.

I DISAGREE WITH DEREK, REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DO THIS.

MAYBE THEY ARE.

WHAT I'M SEEING IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF DEMOCRATS THAT DID NOT WANT BIDEN TO RUN, WOULD PREFER SOMEBODY ELSE.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANY REASON WHY UNLESS THEY'RE QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AGE IT SEEMS TO ME.

>> YEAH.

DONALD TRUMP IS IN HIS MID 70s.

NOT LIKE HE'S 50.

>> I WAS GOING TO POINT THAT OUT.

>> STICKING WITH KAMALA HARRIS, SHE IS VERY PROMINENT IN THAT VIDEO.

THERE WAS SOME SPECULATION HE MIGHT SWITCH RUNNING MATES.

THAT'S OBVIOUS THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> NOT NOW.

MAYBE THAT WAS ON DESIGN TO BE A COMFORT LEVEL LIKE, HEY, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT I CAN'T FULFILL MY TERM, WE'VE GOT THIS COMPETENT VICE PRESIDENT HERE WHO YOU CAN COUNT ON.

I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO EVOKE THAT MAYBE WHEN HE WAS DOING THAT.

PLUS, SHE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE HERSELF.

>> ARE YOU EXCITED BY JOE BIDEN AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE?

OR ARE YOU ACCEPTING THAT HE IS A GOOD CANDIDATE TO RUN IN 2022?

>> LISTEN, I'M -- I WOULD -- I WOULD BE SITTING HERE LYING TO SAY IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE WHO ALL WAS OUT THERE, RIGHT?

BUT JOE BIDEN IS THE BEST THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, AND TO SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT CANDIDATE, THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE TO LEARN THAT CANDIDATE AGAIN.

THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO RAISE SO MUCH MONEY IN ORDER TO EVEN BE COMPETITIVE.

I THINK THE REPUBLICANS ARE BANKING ON THIS AGEISM DEFLECTION TO BE THE DEMISE OF THE PRESIDENT, BUT JOE BIDEN HAS DELIVERED US THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THAT THE GOP JUST HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO.

THE.

>> DONALD TRUMP, MIKE, HAS WON OHIO BY EIGHT POINTS IN 2016 AND 2020.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE HE DOESN'T -- IF HE IS THE GOP NOMINEE, ANY CHANCE HE DOESN'T CARRY OHIO AGAIN DO YOU THINK.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE.

HE'S NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE BY ANY WAY, BUT I THINK IF HE RUNS, CHANCES ARE HE WILL WIN OHIO.

OHIO HAS BEEN -- EIGHT POINTS IS A VERY SOLID LEAD AND, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO ADD ANY TO HIS 46% OR WHATEVER.

TRUMP MAY LOSE SOME.

THE WITH SOME REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF HIM, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE AS MUCH AS 8%.

I WOULD THINK THAT IF THAT'S THE -- BETWEEN BIDEN AND TRUMP, TRUMP WOULD WIN OHIO, ALL KNOW I WOULD THINK PROBABLY BY AROUND THE SAME 8%.

>> BIDEN, IF HE IS THE NOMINEE, IT LOOKS LIKE HE WILL BE, HE WOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT BY HIMSELF, HE'LL BE ON THERE WITH SHERRY BROWN.

MINIMUM WAGE, REDISTRICTING ON THE BALLOT.

>> YOU HAVE GERRYMANDERING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE STATE.

YOU HAVE THE WHOLE ABORTION ISSUE.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE REASON THAN JUST COMING OUT FOR THE PRESIDENT AND/OR OUR U.S.

SENATOR.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS I THINK SENATOR BROWN HELPS PRESIDENT BIDEN IN THE STATE.

DO I THINK THAT SENATOR -- OR PRESIDENT BIDEN CAN WIN OHIO IF THE ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY?

NOT AT ALL.

BUT I DO THINK THAT SHERROD BROWN BEING ON THE BALLOT DEFINITELY HELPS THE PRESIDENT.

>> OKAY.

LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER SIGNING A LAW THAT MAKES THEM LARGELY ILLEGAL, GOVERNOR DeWINE SAYS HE NOW SUPPORTS AN AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION.

THE MID-SUMMER VOTE WOULD ASK OHIOANS IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

IF IT GETS ON THE BALLOT, A 60% VOTE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

THEY HAVE UNTIL MAY 10th TO ACT.

DeWINE'S SUPPORT RUNS COUNTER TO FOUR FORMER GOVERNORS, CELESTE AND STRICKLAND AND KASICH AND BOSS.

YOU WERE THE REPORTER WHO KIND OF GRILLED, I GUESS IN A POLITE WAY, MIKE DeWINE TO GET HIM TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT AN AUGUST RACE?

WHAT WERE THE REASONS HE WOSU PORT CHANGING HIS MIND?

>> HE SAID IF LAWMAKERS PASSED IT, HE WOULD SIGN IT.

HE SAID BASICALLY HE WANTS TO GET THIS ISSUE BEHIND HIM.

WE ALL KNOW IDEOLOGICALLY GOVERNOR DeWINE IS VERY ANTI-ABORTION.

THERE IS A PETITION BEING CIRCULATED THIS SUMMER THAT COULD PUT ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT AND IF THERE IS AN AUGUST ELECTION AND IF THIS GETS VOTED ON AND PASSES IT, IT WOULD AFFECT THE PASSAGE RATE FOR THE NOVEMBER ISSUE.

THAT'S THE BIG KEY HERE.

>> DID HE EXPRESS ANY CONCERN IN THE AUGUST VOTE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION IT WOULD NOT GET THE TURNOUT IT DESERVES?

>> HE KNOWS THAT.

SO HAVE ALL OF THE GOOD PEOPLE HORSEBACKING IT.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE ALREADY SAID THERE IS A TURNOUT THAT'S IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE TO HAVE IT IN AUGUST.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS, SOME REPUBLICANS EVEN DON'T LIKE THIS IDEA OF AN AUGUST VOTE, DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF MAKING IT THAT MUCH HARDER FOR VOTERS TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON IT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR -- I DON'T KNOW THAT HE SUPPORTS IT, BUT LIKE JOE SAID, HE SAID HE WOULD SIGN IT.

MAYBE HE DIDN'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

BUT I THINK THERE WILL BE A LARGE TURNOUT BECAUSE I THINK THE PRO-ABORTION PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON, THAT IF THIS THING PASSES, THEY NEED 60%.

APPARENTLY POLLS SHOW THAT IT WILL PROBABLY PASS OVER 50 BUT IT WON'T MAKE 60.

THEY KNOW THAT.

I THINK THOSE PEOPLE WILL TURN OUT IN HUGE NUMBERS TO DEFEAT IT.

AND I THINK THEY WILL DEFEAT IT.

I THINK IT WILL COME THAT WAY.

TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE A SORT OF SILLY IDEA.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE 60%.

IT'S CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION FOR ALL ITS STUFF IS JUST NOT GOOD.

IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE.

BUT BE THAT AS IT MAY, I JUST THINK THERE IS SOME CHICANERY INVOLVED AND THAT'S TO GIVE THEM BETTER ODDS TO DEFEAT THE ABORTION ISSUE IN NOVEMBER.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL WORK EITHER WAY.

>> FORMER GOVERNOR TAFT SAID HE DOESN'T LIKE THE AUGUST ELECTION BECAUSE IT'S TOO LOW A TURNOUT.

HE DOESN'T LIKE THE 60% THRESHOLD.

REALLY HARD TO PASS BOND ISSUES.

THE STATE WON'T BE ABLE TO BORROW MUCH MONEY BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE TO GET TO 60%.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LIKE THE FRONTIER MAY NOT HAVE PASSED.

>> HE'S RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD HAPPEN IF IT PASSES IN AUGUST.

I HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH MIKE.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO PASS.

I THINK THE PEOPLE SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY AS WELL.

I THINK THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT SOMEWHERE IN THE TUNE OF $20 MILLION THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO DO THIS SPECIAL ELECTION.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DON'T EVEN LIKE IT.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE -- YOU MAY HAVE HIGHER THAN NORMAL TURNOUT FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION BUT IT'S STILL GOING TO BE LOW.

IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS.

>> ARE LAWMAKERS, ARE THEY LOOKING AT THIS?

THE WINDS SEEM TO BLOW AGAINST THIS.

YOU HAVE FORMER GOVERNORS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

A LOT OF EVEN REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE NOT SURE ABOUT THIS.

THE HOUSE SPEAKER IS NOT SURE ABOUT THIS.

TAKING AWAY YOUR VOTE BUT THEY STILL -- THERE'S STILL A GOOD CHANCE IT MAY MAKE IT TO THE AUGUST BALLOT.

>> THERE ARE 250 VOTES, MAYBE EVEN MORE, WHO HAVE ALREADY COME OUT AGAINST THIS AND SAY WE WILL CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT.

THE LAWMAKERS ARE SEEING THIS.

THESE GROUPS ARE COMING IN IT TO TESTIFY EVERY DAY ON THIS STUFF.

AND THE THING IS THAT THE LAWMAKERS KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING, TRY TO DO SOMETHING, AND TO GET THE AGENDA THAT THEY WANT PASSED AND THEY'RE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MAGIC NUMBER IS.

IS IT 59 VOTES THEY NEED?

IS IT 60 VOTES THEY NEED?

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY IT IS.

THERE ARE SOME VACANIES AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE.

THEY ARE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO TRY EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STOP THAT NOVEMBER BALLOT.

>> THEY HAVE UNTIL MAY 10th IS THE DATE.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE IT IN AUGUST YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING FINALIZED BY -- >> MAY 10th.

>> THE BACKERS OF THE 60% THRESHOLD SAY IT IS TO KEEP OUT OF STATE SPECIAL INTERESTS TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

IT CAME OUT IN THE DISPATCH THAT A CONSERVATIVE MEGADONOR IS CHIPPING IN $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE AUGUST ELECTION.

IRONICALLY ENOUGH HE IS FROM WISCONSIN.

RICHARD U LINE IS THE MEGADONOR FOR THE PARTY.

>> U LINE, IS THAT THE BOX COMPANY?

THEY NEED TO PUT IT IN A BOX AND BAIL IT OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

>> I PREDICT IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS IN AUGUST.

IT'S A BAD IDEA.

INSANE AMOUNT OF WASTED MONEY.

>> OUT OF STATE INTERESTS.

IT'S A REALITY IN POLITICS.

THIS WILL KEEP OUT OF STATE INTERESTS OUT -- >> IT'S IRONIC.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT OUT ANYWAY REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS.

THE DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE GEORGE SERROS AND -- IT'S THE SAME THING.

PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THIS COUNTY OR STATE START CONTRIBUTING FAIRLY SERIOUS MONEY, NOT HUGE AMOUNTS, 5,000 HERE, 10,000 THERE, THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S RACES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, IT'S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE.

TER' NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP IT.

>> JOE, IS THERE ANY TALK OF ANOTHER MANEUVER, PUTTING ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE BALLOT?

THERE WAS SOME SPECULATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IF THIS DOESN'T FLY THEY CAN GET 60 VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE SENATE TO PUT A COMPETING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT THAT WOULD MORE OR LESS RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS?

>> THERE HAS BEEN TALK ABOUT THAT BUT ALL OF THE EGGS ARE IN THE 60% BASKET.

WE ALSO KNOW HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEVENS IS NOT SAYING HE'S GOING TO MOVE THAT OUT ANY TIME SOON AND THE BIG QUESTION BECOMES WILL IT GET TAKEN TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE?

>> YES.

THEY COULD FORCE A VOTE REGARDLESS.

>> RIGHT.

>> WATCH.

YOU HAVE UNTIL MAY 10th.

THE STATE BUDGET LAYS OUT HOW THE STATE WILL SPEND 80 BILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS HAS MOVED TO THE SENATE AFTER THE HOUSE PASSED ITS VERSION THIS WEEK.

IT INCREASES MINIMUM TEACHER SALARIES, FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND EXPANDS THE STATE'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BUDGET PROGRAM.

IT DOES NOT MAKE THE BUDGET UNIVERSAL.

IT'S A BIPARTISAN BUDGET.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, THEY'RE FLUSH WITH CASH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> A BIG THING WAS THAT THIS PLAN ACTUALLY FUNDS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PLAN, THE FAIR -- WHAT IS IT, FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN I THINK IT'S CALLED.

THIS ACTUALLY FUNDS THAT.

THAT WAS HUGE FOR DEMOCRATS.

THEY REALLY WANTED THAT.

IT ALSO HAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT GOVERNOR DeWINE WANTED.

THERE'S A LOT OF FUNDING FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE CASH STRAPPED OR, YOU KNOW, YOUNG PARENTS, THE TAX SITUATION IN THERE IS NOT WHAT SOME OF THE HARD LINE TAX PEOPLE WANTED, WHICH WAS A COMPLETE FLAT TAX.

SO THAT'S NOT -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT KILLING IT FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

YOU'VE GOT A SITUATION WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LIKE A LOT OF STUFF IN IT.

EVERYONE WILL SAY IT'S NOT MY DREAM BUDGET SO THERE YOU GO, BUT IT DOES HAVE A LOT FOR EVERYONE.

>> THE FLAT TAX BY CONSERVATIVES, THEY WANTED THE FLAT TAX 2 3/4% THAT.

WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD REDUCTION.

THEY CLAIM IT WOULD SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE ONE TAX BRACKET FOR EVERYBODY OR HAVE A GRADUATED?

>> I KNOW WHAT THEY DID.

THEY REDUCED THE NUMBERS FOR PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY PAYS THE SAME AMOUNT, 2 POINT SOMETHING PERCENT UP TO $90,000.

I AM A BELIEVER, A FLAT TAX FOR EVERYBODY, NO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

PEOPLE WHO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES, WHICH HAS GOT TO BE MORE -- IT'S GOT TO BE MORE THAN PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

I THINK THAT'S AS IT SHOULD BE.

YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, I SAW SOMETHING THE OTHER DAY ON THE U.S. BUDGET.

IT'S SOMETHING LIKE 3 OR 4% OF THE POPULATION PAY 25% OF THE TAXES.

THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S UNFAIR.

SOMEBODY MAKING A MILLION DOLLARS TO PAY 3% AND SOME GUY THAT MAKES $20,000 A YEAR TO PAY 3%.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO 90,000, THAT'S FINE.

ANYTHING ELSE THE TAX RATE SHOULD BE HIGHER.

>> PROGRESSIVES ARGUE THAT'S THREE OR FOUR PERCENT, THAT'S 25 PERCENT BEERS.

>> THAT MAY WELL BE.

IT DOES HELP THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME FOLKS FIRST.

>> IT DEFINITELY HELPS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, AGREEING WITH MIKE, I'M NOT SURE THAT A FLAT TAX IS GOING TO BE THERE AND DO YOU GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE YOU START TO RAISE THAT IN YEARS TO COME?

AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THE FLAT TAX IS THE WAY TO GO.

>> THE EDUCATION FUNDING IS INTERESTING.

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY FAMILY IN OHIO WOULD BE GIVEN A TAXPAYER FUNDED VOUCHER TO ATTEND A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

THAT WOULD COST A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

IS THAT WHY?

DID THAT SCARE THEM?

>> THAT WAS HUGE.

IF YOU FULLY FUND THAT BACK TAX BILL, SOMETHING HAS TO GET OUT OF THERE.

THERE WERE OTHER THINGS THAT THEY WANTED TO FUND MORE THAN THE BACKPACK BILL.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PRESSURE OUT THERE.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE SENATE AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT, MATT HUFFMAN, HE'S BEEN A BIG BACKER OF VOUCHERS, CHARTERS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE.

>> YOU'VE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

IF YOU'RE A FAMILY OF FOUR MAKING $135,000, YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER BUT FAMILIES OVER THAT, NO.

>> I THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE COMPROMISE.

$135,000, IF YOU ARE MAKING MORE TO THAT, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME MOST PEOPLE COULD AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEMSELVES.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

I THINK THIS IS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

RAISING INCOME AND OFFERING SCHOOL VOUCHERS?

IS THAT FAIR?

>> WHO KNOWS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE VOUCHER PROGRAM STARTED OUT FOR FAMILIES THAT REALLY COULDN'T AFFORD, YOU KNOW, TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR WHATNOT.

NOW IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY IS WARRANTING A VOUCHER.

WHY NOT JUST MAKE PUBLIC -- FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AT A LEVEL THAT IT DESER FGS AND YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO EVEN WORRY ABOUT THESE VOUCHERS.

>> JASON STEVENS WON THE SPEAKER SNP A SURPRISE.

HE GOT THE SUPPORT OF THE PRESS.

FOR THOSE WATCHING, NO QUIT PRO QUO, NO PROMISES MADE.

WE'RE ALL WATCHING MAYBE HE PROMISED THIS TO DEMOCRATS.

DOES THIS BUDGET GIVE YOU ANY IDEA OF WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE PROMISED THE DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR SUPPORT BACK IN JANUARY?

>> WELL, WHAT I DO KNOW IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE DEMOCRATS ACTUALLY PUT THEIR VOTES TO SPEAKER STEVENS IS BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THEY COULD WORK WITH HIM.

I KNOW THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN IN THE ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS DURING THE BUDGET.

SO THAT'S NOT REALLY HAPPENED BEFORE.

THEY USUALLY WENT INTO THE ROOM, MADE THE BILL AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.

NOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE ACTUALLY IN THE ROOM WHILE THE DEALS ARE BEING MADE.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY, THERE'S A LITTLE MORE COOPERATION AND THEY KNOW THAT THEY NEED DEMOCRATIC VOTES TO MAKE THIS BUDGET HAPPEN.

>> JOE, DEMOCRATS THOUGHT EDUCATION WERE THE KEY ISSUE.

THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD WORK WITH HIM.

SEEMS LIKE THEY GOT THEIR WAY?

>> SURE IS.

THE LEADER OF THE MINORITY DEMOCRATS IN THE OHIO HOUSE ALSO SAID, YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE GO FOR UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS, MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS SO, I MEAN, THERE'S A DIFFERENT AGENDA WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

>> OKAY.

THE HART BUDGET INCLUDES MONEY TO STUDY WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD MOVE THE OHIO STATE FAIR.

IT'S BEEN AT THE CURRENT LOCATION FOR 137 YEARS, BUT IT'S A VERY VALUABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY.

TALK OF USING THAT LAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES SURFACES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

THE PROVISION WAS PUT IN THE BUDGET FAIRLY LATE IN THE PROCESS.

WHO PUT IT THERE IS A MYSTERY.

COLUMBUS AREA LAWMAKERS CALLED THE MOVE RIDICULOUS.

YOU HAVE THE LONGEST VIEW HERE ON THE TABLE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IS THAT A GOOD SPOT FOR THE FAIR OR SHOULD WE LOOK AT MOVING IT?

>> I DON'T MIND THEM LOOKING AT MOVING IT.

PART OF IT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE BILL SAYS IT HAS TO BE A CONTIGUOUS PART OF THE COUNTY.

THEY'LL KEEP IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE.

CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI, THAT SORT OF THING.

I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM LOOKING AT IT IF THEY THIR IT'S BETTER TO HAVE IT IN SOME CONTIGUOUS COUNTY CLOSE TO COLUMBUS, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

DO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

NO.

THE IT'S BEEN TOO MANY YEARS AND PEOPLE EVEN IF THEY THINK IT MIGHT IMPROVE, THEY'RE USED TO A CERTAIN WAY OF DOING THINGS AND SO I JUST DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO IT.

>> IT'S SO MUCH MORE IN AUGUST I THINK THE PROPERTY IS NEXT TO SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING.

IT COULD BE USED AS A JOB CENTER, MANUFACTURING PLANT, MAYBE RETAIL CENTER.

MIGHT IT BE WORTH LOOKING AT IT AND USING THAT PROPERTY FOR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH LOOKING AT IT AND STUDYING IT.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE FAIR HAS BEEN THERE FOR 160 PLUS YEARS.

YOU HAVE OTHER MAJOR EVENTS THAT COME TO THE FAIR LIKE THE U.S. QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS THAT COMES THERE AND GENERATES MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE CENTRAL OHIO REGION.

MOVING THE OHIO STATE FAIR, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO BE UTILIZING OUR TIME AT THE STATEHOUSE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH STUDYING IT.

ONE THUNG I WILL SAY IS THAT THE FAIRGROUNDS COULD PROBABLY USE A LITTLE MAKEUP, RIGHT?

IF PART OF THAT STUDY IS REPURPOSING HOW THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS LOOKS, THEN I THINK IT'S WELL WORTH IT.

>> GOVERNOR DeWINE WANTS TO DO JUST THAT.

HE WANTS TO RENOVATE THE FAIRGROUNDS.

TEAR DOWN BUILDINGS, MAKE IT LOOK GOOD NOT JUST FOR THE FAIR BUT YEAR-ROUND ATTRACTIONS BUT THE HOUSE IS SAYING, MAYBE WE SHOULD MOVE IT.

IS THIS A SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND LEGISLATURE OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND IT UNTIL WE KNOW WE WANT IT TO BE THERE.

>> I THINK IT'S A BARGAINING CHIP TO PLAY WITH MORE THAN ANYTHING.

I ALWAYS FIND IT CURIOUS WHEN WE FIND THINGS THAT OCCUR IN LEGISLATION.

NO ONE WANTS TO STAND UP AND SAY, HEY, I PUT THAT IN THERE.

THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHOULD BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, YOU WOULD THINK ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS IS OUT THERETO.

>> AND YOU CAN'T SPECULATE.

ANY GUESSES?

>> I'M NOT GOING THERE, MIKE.

>> THAT PERCENTAGE, MAYBE.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> WHEN PEOPLE DRIVE BY AND THEY SEE THE VACANT LOTS, IT MUST GIVE THEM SOME PAUSE.

THEY DON'T REALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU COULD REPURPOSE WHERE THE FAIRGROUNDS LOOK WITHOUT MOVING THE FAIR.

I DO THINK THAT THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER HOTELS THERE.

INTEREST COULD BE A CONVENTION -- CONVENTION SPACE THERE.

SO THERE'S WAYS TO LOOK AT THIS THING AND KIND OF REPURPOSE WHAT'S THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> RECONFIGURE IT, BUILDING PARKING GARAGES, THEY TALKED ABOUT THE RECREATION SPACE UP THERE WITH THE HISTORIC FOOD STADIUM IS, USING THAT SPACE AS WELL.

>> RIGHT.

>> OH, WELL, 137 MORE YEARS OF THE FAIR IS WHAT WE PREDICT HERE.

>>> LET'S GET TO THE FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOT.

OTHER PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD.

MIKE MILLER?

>> WELL, AS I SAID EARLIER, I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD CHANGE THE CONSTITUTIONAL PERCENTAGE THAT 60% IS GOING TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN F. IT DOES, WE'LL KNOW WHETHER IT PASSES.

I THINK IN ANY EVENT WHEN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION COMES AROUND, IT WILL BE THE SAME 50% PLUS ONE WINNING NUMBER.

>> THE SPOTLIGHT WILL BE ON COLUMBUS WHEN AMERICA'S MAYORS WILL CONVERGE ON COLUMBUS IN JUNE FOR THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS.

ALL OF THE MAYORS COMING HERE JUNE 2nd THROUGH THE 5th AND THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> JO?

>> MOST VIEWERS KNOW AN FISCHER IS RETIRING SOON BUT JOAN DUFFY IS RETIRING.

FOR DECADES JOAN HAS BEEN BEHIND THE SCENES.

SHE'S BEEN ENCOURAGING TO EVERYONE AT WOSU.

SHE ORGANIZES EVERYTHING AND PEOPLE WILL MISS HER PERSONALITY.

BEST WISHES TO JOAN AND ANN AND CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEXT CHAPTER.

>> INDEED.

JOAN DUFFY THE FIRST DAY OF WORK HERE.

WE WILL DEFINITELY MISS THAT SMILING SPACE IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD.

>>> DISCUSSIONS HERE ON WOSU.

THERE IS ONE THING THAT CAN MAKE THEM BETTER AND THAT'S BEER.

CRAFT BEER.

WE'LL COMBINE THE TWO AS WE BRING BACK POLITICS WITH A PINT IN A WEEK AND A HALF.

THURSDAY, MAY 11th, FROM 6 TO 8 I'LL BE THERE WITH ANN FISCHER.

PLEASE JOIN US.

GET TICKETS AT WOSU.ORG/EVENTS.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK.

WATCH US ON OUR WEBSITE OR THE PBS VIDEO APP.

I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.