>> OHIO'S BRIBERY SCANDAL CLAIMS ANOTHER LIFE.

>>> WELCOME TO COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD FOR THE SECOND TIME, A KEY PLAYER IN OHIO'S BRIBERY SCANDAL HAS DIED BY SUICIDE.

POLICE FOUND SAM RANDAZZO'S BODY TUESDAY IN COLUMBUS.

HIS DEATH COMES ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER NEIL CLARK TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.

KNOWN FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE HOUSE BILL 6 BRIBERY SCHEME THAT HELPED HIM BECOME HOUSE SPEAKER, IT LED TO THE BAILOUTS OF TWO ENERGY PLANTS OWNED BY FIRSTENERGY.

ACCEPTING A NEARLY $4.5 MILLION BRIBE FROM FIRSTENERGY.

TWO EXECUTIVES CHARGED IN THAT CASE HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY.

MIKE MILLER, WHAT DOES THE DEATH OF SAM RANDAZZO DUE TO THE CASE AND THE INVESTIGATION?

>> I THINK IT DOES VERY LITTLE, MIKE.

THE PEOPLE THAT WERE RECENTLY INDICTED BY --FROM FIRSTENERGY I THE HURT AND EIGHT GENERAL'S OFFICE HE DIDN'T DEFEND HIMSELF.

I THINK THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM PROCEEDING, AND THE SAME THING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT -- OR MAYBE TO COME --I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY SAM'S UNFORTUNATE DEATH.

>> DOES IT MAKE GUILTY PLEAS MORE OR LESS LIKELY AS WE GET CLOSER TO TRIAL AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> I DON'T THINK HAS AN EFFECT ON THAT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF ASSETS WERE FROZEN, WITH THE HOPE OF BEING CEASED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.

>> IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THESE ARE STATE-LEVEL INDICTMENTS AGAINST RANDAZZO.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WERE GOING TO BEAT FEDERAL INDICTMENTS, BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS BEEN SEEKING TO GET THOSE ASSETS BECAUSE THE LAWSUIT WANTS HIM TO PAY DAMAGES FOR THE MILLIONS IN BRIBES THAT HE HAS TAKEN FOR FIRSTENERGY.

TO BASICALLY DO FIRSTENERGY'S BIDDING WHILE HE WAS IN THAT POSITION.

>> REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU THINK OF WHAT SAM RANDAZZO WAS ACCUSED OF DOING , IT IS STILL A TRAGEDY WHEN SOMEONE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY, SOMEONE DIES BY A PARENT SUICIDE.

>> IT IS A TRAGEDY.

THE THING THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IS WANTING --ARE WANTING HIS ANSWERS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT THIS STUFF THAT HAS BEEN COMING OUT AND HAS BEEN COMING OUT FOR YEARS.

SAM RANDAZZO PROBABLY HAD A LOT OF THOSE ANSWERS, BUT NOW WE WILL NEVER KNOW THAT.

>> IT'S ALSO A PART OF WHAT I CALL A TAPESTRY OF POWER AND CRIME.

WHEN PEOPLE GET AT THAT LEVEL DOES DIFFERENT THINGS THEY DO THAT --TWO PEOPLE COMMITTED SUICIDE.

WE HAVE TWO MORE COMING UP.

WE HAVE ONE IN JAIL.

ALL OVER GREED AND POWER.

GREED FOR MONEY.

POWER IS THEIR ABILITY TO DO THIS.

>> I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN THIS IN YOUR EARS AS A PROSECUTOR AND ATTORNEY.

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR LIVES FALLING APART --THEY HAVE GONE TO JAIL OR THEY LOST THEIR CAREER --NOW PEOPLE HAVE DIED OVER MONEY --OVER WHAT -- YOU HAVE SEEN IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WHAT IS THE UNDERLYING THEME BEHIND ALL OF THIS?

>> I'M NOT SURE THERE IS ONE ANSWER TO THAT, MIKE.

THERE IS NO THREAT THAT GOES THROUGH EVERY PERSON'S LIFE.

IT'S AN APPARENT SUICIDE.

MONEY.

I THINK THE SHAME OF BEING CHARGED IN THESE OFFENSES AND THE STRENGTH NOT ONLY ON YOURSELF, BUT WHAT IT PUTS ON THE FAMILY TO PICK UP THE PAPER EVERY DAY AND READ ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND, FATHER, OR WHAT, IT'S NEVER COMPLEMENTARY.

IT'S ALWAYS INNUENDO.

THEY ARE GUILTY.

IT IS THERE.

PEOPLE HAVE REASONS WE ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH.

DEPRESSION.

IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT I THINK EVERYBODY IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

SAM'S CASE, I KNEW HIM VERY SLIGHTLY.

HE WORKED AT THE LAW FIRM THAT I WAS WITH WHEN I FIRST STARTED 27 YEARS AGO AND WAS GONE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

I NEVER REALLY KNEW HIM, AND I THE STRAIN FROM THE FAMILY BECAME UNBEARABLE.

THAT IS THE BEST WAY.

>> THE ATTORNEY FOR SAM RANDAZZO CLAIMED THE PROSECUTION WAS TOO AGGRESSIVE AND RIGOROUS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE MAN'S LAST WEEK ON THIS SHOW.

IT SHOWED SAM RANDAZZO DRESSED UP AS A SUPERHERO.

THAT WAS ALL PART OF THE CASE.

WAS IT APPROPRIATE TO RELEASE THIS AHEAD OF THE TRIAL?

>> I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT RANDAZZO'S ATTORNEY RELEASED AS EVIDENCE AS A FACTOR IN HIS DECISION TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE.

FOR HIM TO ASCRIBE A MOTIVE LIKE THAT, SAYING, WELL, THE PROSECUTORS PERSECUTED HIM, AND TO SUGGEST THAT THEY WERE AT LEAST PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEATH --IF THERE IS EVIDENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT.

>> THE PRESSURE WAS BUILDING ON HIM.

HE WAS LOOKING AT A LONG TIME IN PRISON COME ANYWAY.

HE WAS AN OLDER GUY, ANYWAY.

NOT IN THE BEST OF HEALTH.

FROZEN.

IF YOUR ASSETS ARE FROZEN, YOU ARE PROBABLY FREEZING THE ASSETS WITH THE WIFE, TOO.

IT MIGHT BE FUNDS THAT ARE CO- MINGLED, AND CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR FAMILY BUDGET IF EVERY ACCOUNT YOU HAD WAS FROZEN?

>> YOU EXPERIENCE WHAT HAPPENS IF A PERSON DIES?

>> IT WAS MORE OF A CIVIL LITIGATION THAT I DID.

IT IS A CIVIL MATTER.

SOME OF THIS FEDERAL STUFF, WHEN THEY SEE CERTAIN THINGS ENDING WITH DEATH, APPARENTLY, IT IS NOT THE SAME WITH THE STATE.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

EVENTUALLY, I'M SURE THAT ALL PARTIES WILL REACH SOME REASONABLE SETTLEMENT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS HE SAID I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A POLITICAL FIGURE.

HE IS A FRIEND.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE INSIDE OF A DIVORCE, THAT IS CLOSE.

SUICIDE.

I HAVE A FRIEND , THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND -- MAN.

THAT IS NOT A SHORT-TERM THING.

THAT LASTS A LONG TIME.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THIS INVESTIGATION THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK IN DOCUMENTS THAT WERE PROVIDED BY FIRSTENERGY THAT THEY HAD SENT $1 MILLION TO WHAT DATE NOTED WAS THE JOHN HOUSTON CAMPAIGN, WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAME --BEFORE HE BECAME A CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THE MONEY WAS SENT TO A POLITICAL PAC WHICH WAS AFFILIATED WITH HIM.

>> IT WAS GIVEN TO A 501(C)(4) CALLED FREEDOM FRONTIER.

THEY LOOKED AT THEIR TAX FILING AND CALLED THE NAME ON THE TAX FILING AND THERE IS A WOMAN IN TEXAS WHO SAID, HEY, HOW DID MY NAME END UP THERE?

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DARK MONEY GROUPS WHERE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE OR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACE WHO IS ACTUALLY BEHIND THIS.

THIS IS A GROUP THAT BACK IN 2018 WAS CONSIDERED TO BE PRO- DeWINE.

NOW, WE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT THIS GROUP THEN WE DID BACK IN 2018.

>> BUT THEY ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THIS GROUP.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DIDN'T TAKE MONEY FROM THIS GROUP.

>> LET'S GET TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

ACCORDING TO STATE LAW AND THE POLITICAL CALENDAR, PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL NOT BE ON THE OHIO BALLOT YOU RUNNING FOR U.S. PRESIDENT.

THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS ARE LIKELY TO NOMINATE HIM AT THE CONVENTION THE CONVENTION COMES AFTER THE DEADLINE FOR HIS NAME TO BE PUT ON THE OHIO BALLOT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SENT LEADERS A LETTER TO WARN THEM OF THE SITUATION.

THE GOP CONVENTION HAPPENS BEFORE THAT DEADLINE, SO DONALD TRUMP WILL BE OKAY.

THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, WHERE BOTH PARTIES AND LAWMAKERS EXTENDED THE DEADLINE WITH A LITTLE CONTROVERSY.

MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS TO SOLVE.

>> THIS WAS A LATE MORNING.

WHERE WERE THE DEMOCRATS?

THIS CONVENTION DATE WAS SETTLED A YEAR AGO.

DID THEY FORGET THE DEADLINE FOR THE CONVENTION NOMINATION?

>> EVERYONE KNEW THE TRUTH.

WE NEED A LITTLE DRAMA AND THEATER NOW, A PERFORMANCE.

WE WILL SIT DOWN AND CUT A DEAL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS, BUT IT WILL HAPPEN, BECAUSE THE RETORT IN THE MEETING ABOUT THIS THING IS THAT IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU ONE YEAR, AND SEE WHAT WE DO FOR YOU.

OKAY.

NO.

IT WILL GO AWAY.

ISN'T POLITICS ABOUT THEATER?

>> HUFFMAN SAID THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

THEY CAN'T SOLVE IT WITHOUT REPUBLICAN HELP.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE FEW IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY ARE SO OUTNUMBERED.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, IF YOU TALK TO THEM, THEY ARE SAYING, THIS WILL GET SOLVED.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE JUST KIND OF MOVING THAT DISCUSSION TO NATIONAL.

BUT HERE IS THE OTHER THING, MIKE.

THERE MAY BE A REDISTRICTING ISSUE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

IF ONE PARTY IS KEEPING ANOTHER PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OFF THE BALLOT BY NOT DOING SOMETHING TO GET THEM THERE, HOW DOES THAT PLAY WITH VOTERS WHO ARE CONSIDERING >> YEAH.

WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENS THERE, JEREMY?

>> I THINK, RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOTTEN EVERY INDICATION FROM LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO HERE.

MY PREDICTION IS IT'S GOING TO BE, INSTEAD OF TRYING FOR A LEGISLATIVE BID, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A MINI CONVENTION WHERE THEY TECHNICALLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OHIO LAW AND MOVE FORWARD.

IF FOR SOME REASON BIDEN DOESN'T MAKE THE BALLOT IN OHIO, THE REAL LOSER HERE IS SHARON BROWN.

BIDEN IS PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE OHIO, BUT IF THERE IS NOT A MARQUEE HEADLINER EVENT, THAT IS GOING TO HURT HIM.

>> WE WENT OVER THE DEBATE BETWEEN COLORADO AND MAINE TRYING TO KEEP TRUMP OFF THE BOAT.

THIS DOESN'T LOOK BAD ON REPUBLICANS IF THEY KEEP HIM OFF THE BALLOT?

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS ARE MAKING A GRAVE ERROR.

HOPEFULLY WHAT JEREMY SAYS WORKS OUT.

ANYMORE, IF I WERE THE DEMOCRATS, TO RELY ON REPUBLICANS DOING WHAT THEY THINK IS THE RIGHT THING, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD TRUST THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT, BUT WE ARE SUCH A SPLIT COUNTRY ANYWAY.

AND HERE IS AN ELECTION THAT WHOEVER WINS, IF THE POLLS WERE CLOSE, IT IS GOING TO BE A RELATIVELY CLOSE ELECTION.

ANYTHING CAN DECIDE IT.

TO HAVE SOMEONE OFF ONE OF THE MAJOR SEEDS IN THIS COUNTRY ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I THINK IT WOULD HURT REPUBLICANS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> WENT ON TO SAY TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

JOE BIDEN'S NAME SHOULD BE ON THE BALLOT, AND HE'S GOING TO LOSE BADLY TO DONALD TRUMP.

ISN'T THAT EFFECTIVE?

>> BUT THAT IS COMMON SENSE, MIKE.

>> YOU KNOW, IN OUR LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW, IF A REPUBLICAN IS REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE, THAT IS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS TO A LOT OF THOSE THERE.

>> I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> CAN THE COURTS SAY --I MEAN, THE LAW IS THE LAW.

>> WHAT LAW HAVE THEY VIOLATED?

>> THERE MIGHT BE A FEDERAL LAW OR ELECTORAL COLLEGE LAW.

>> THEY SHOULD ARGUE THAT --I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE COLORADO CASE OR NOT.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT TO AFFECT THESE ELECTIONS, THIS IS A STATE THING.

YOU CAN'T DO IT THAT WAY.

THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO STRETCH THIS THING.

OHIO IS THE SAME WAY AS THE FEDERAL COURTS.

HOPEFULLY, ALL OF THAT WILL BE AVOIDED.

>> YOU DON'T THINK IF BIDEN IS NOT ON THE BALLOT, IT WILL JACK UP THE DEMOCRATS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS UNCHARTED TERRITORY UNTIL NOW.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF ANGRY DEMOCRATS.

A LOT OF ANGRY DEMOCRATS.

>> GOVERNOR DeWINE HAS HAD A HARD TIME GETTING BOLD INITIATIVES THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, THAT IS DESPITE HIS PARTY CONTROLLING THE LEGISLATURE.

IN THIS YEAR'S ADDRESS, 221 DID NOT CALL FOR MODEST GUN-CONTROL OR SPECIAL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

HE TRIED TO WIN OVER STUBBORN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS BY FOCUSING ON THE CHILDREN.

>> THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO FOR OHIO'S FUTURE IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL OHIO CHILDREN , ALL OHIO CHILDREN, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE , NO MATTER WHO THEIR PARENTS ARE, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE UP TO THEIR FULL GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL .

AND IF THEY HAVE THE CHANCE TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS AND THEIR PASSIONS IN LIFE .

IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO.

KIDS HAVE ONLY ONE CHANCE TO GROW UP.

OF URGENCY , AS EVERY MOMENT WE WASTE IS A MOMENT THAT THEY LOSE.

>> DeWINE CALLED FOR MORE HEALTHCARE FOR NEW MOTHERS.

HE NOW PLANS TO EXPAND CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND MAKE THEM MORE AFFORDABLE.

HE WILL FORM A STRIKE FORCE TO HELP KIDS GET EYEGLASSES.

HE WANTS SCHOOLS TO USE PHONICS TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO RAIN.

CAN WE GET COHESION AND COLLABORATION OF HER CHILDREN AT THE STATEHOUSE?

>> IT DEPENDS.

THEY ARE GOING UP AGAINST TAX CUTS.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE WILL SEE.

IMMEDIATELY, THE DEMOCRATS CAME OUT AND THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EXPANDING CHILDCARE.

THEY WANTED THAT.

SOME OF THESE IDEAS, THEY ARE OKAY WITH THE DEMOCRATS, BUT AS WE ESTABLISHED, THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN THE MINORITY.

IF THEY GO UP AGAINST SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO SEE WHERE THAT LANCE.

>> THESE ARE PROGRESSIVE IDEAS HE HAS.

MAYBE NOT THE SCIENCE AND READING STUFF, BUT THE OTHER STUFF IS VERY PROGRESSIVE.

>> I LIKED THAT PROGRAM HE TALKED ABOUT.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF CONNECTING SCHOOL TO WORK AND HAVING A REAL RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL AND MARK --WORK.

THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE FOR HIM --HE --IT ALLOWED HIM TO BE DARING THIS YEAR.

IT DIDN'T ALLOW HIM TO EXPRESS WHAT HE REALLY FEELS BECAUSE OF THE POLITICS IN THIS PAST YEAR, WHEN HE TOLD THEM WHAT HE REALLY THOUGHT.

>> MIKE, WERE YOU HOPING FOR MORE BOLD THINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR?

EDUCATION FUNDING REFORM OR A COMPROMISE ON THE ABORTION ISSUE?

>> NOT PARTICULARLY, MIKE.

I THINK WHAT HE SAID IS VERY GOOD.

WITH TRYING TO HELP CHILDREN AND SO FORTH.

BOTH SIDES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HE DID A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS LIKE WANTING TO HAVE, I THINK, A STATEWIDE BAN ON VAPING AND A STATEWIDE BAN ON CBD .

AND APPARENTLY, THE SENATE AND HOUSE CHAIRMAN HAVE ALREADY COME OUT AND SAID , WE DON'T THINK THAT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA.

NOW, MAYBE HE EXPECTED OPPOSITION, SO HE THREW THAT OUT AND LET THEM TORPEDO THAT AND PASS EVERYTHING ELSE.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE SPEECH.

THAT WAS IT AT THE END.

THERE WAS ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT THE KIDS AND EYEGLASSES AND CHILDCARE AND HEALTHCARE.

WHAT MAKES THE CBD STUFF AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION.

>> I WANT THIS STUFF --BEFORE I GO, LET ME RENEW MY REQUEST.

>> WILL THOSE THINGS PASS?

>> HOW CAN YOU BE OPPOSED TO RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUT IT BE AGAINST THE BAN ON CBD PRODUCTS AND CONVENIENCE STORES?

>> IT IS PART OF THE LARGER DO WITH STATE MARIJUANA LAWS.

THAT HAS BEEN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNDER SENATOR JACOB STEVENS WHO HAS RESISTED MAKING CHANGES RIGHT AWAY.

IT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY LEGISLATIVE CHANGES BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE RULE COMES OUT IN SEPTEMBER OR SO THAT ALLOWS ISSUING LICENSES TO START SELLING MARIJUANA.

WHAT LAWMAKERS HAVE SAID IS THAT MANY OF THOSE CHANGES, IF NOT MOST OF THEM,, THOSE RULES.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS HE PROPOSED HERE, HE DOESN'T NEED THE LEGISLATURE.

HE CAN DO THIS ON HIS OWN USING FEDERAL GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SURE.

SOME OF THE THINGS HE'S TALKING ABOUT HE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES AHEAD OF TIME TO GET THOSE THINGS OFF THE GROUND.

IF YOU LOOK AT VISION, FOR EXAMPLE, HE HAS DONE SOME THINGS ALREADY IN THAT REALM.

THIS IS NOT MERELY MORE OF AN EXPANSION.

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE COUNTIES WHERE THEY HAVE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS VISITING BRAND- NEW MOMS THE COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BIRTH.

OUT YET, BUT THAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

THEY WANT TO EXPAND THAT.

>> I THINK HE COULD'VE BEEN MORE CONSTRUCTIVE.

WE JUST WENT THROUGH A PANDEMIC.

NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AT ALL AS A RESULT OF THAT PANDEMIC , BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF DEFICIENCIES AND HOLES THAT WE SAW IN THAT SYSTEM.

AMNESIA MAKES IT GO AWAY.

PEOPLE ARE NOT THINKING.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PANDEMIC.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PLAGUE.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PROBLEM.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COUNT ON THIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

GOVERNOR, IF YOU'RE LISTENING TO ME, LET'S WORK ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, SO SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T DIE NEXT TIME.

BUT EXPANDING THE AUTHORITY AND RESOURCES OF PUBLIC HEALTH AFTER WHAT WE SAW, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

RIGHT?

>> PROBABLY NOT, ESPECIALLY IN AN ELECTION YEAR WHERE YOU HAVE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UP FOR REELECTION.

THE LAST THING THAT MANY OF THEM WANT TO DO IS PASS LAWS TO EXPAND MARIJUANA USE AND EXPAND GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTHCARE .

>> THEY DO WANT --THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED MAKING PENALTIES TOUGHER FOR NOT WEARING YOUR SEATBELT.

>> YEAH.

>> SERIOUSLY?

>> RIGHT NOW, IF YOU GET PULLED OVER FOR SOME MEALS, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR SEATBELT ON, THEY CAN CITE YOU.

MOST PEOPLE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE STUDIES, MOST PEOPLE DO WEAR THEIR SEATBELTS.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE OHIO LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO ACT ON.

THEY DON'T LIKE A PRIMARY SEATBELT LAW JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR SAYS THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE, THEY ARE GOING TO SAY, OH YEAH, WE'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

>> CHILDREN HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED.

>> HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO DO THAT.

YOU'RE NOT REBELLING AGAINST PUTTING CHILDREN IN SEATBELTS, ARE YOU?

LEGISLATURE.

THE RAILROAD HAS AGREED TO PAY $600 TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE TRAIN DERAILMENT IN EAST PALESTINE.

THE DERAILMENT AND FIRE SENT TOXIC CHEMICALS INTO THE AIR AND NEARBY WATERWAYS.

MONEY COULD HELP PAY FOR HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND RESTORATION AND MAKE UP FOR LOST BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE DERAILMENT.

THE QUESTION IS, IS $600 MILLION ENOUGH?

>> I THINK IF YOU TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN EAST PALESTINE, THEY WILL SAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED THAT MONEY NOW.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A LONG COURT BATTLE OVER THIS.

THEIR HOMES ARE DECREASING IN VALUE.

THEY NEED MONEY.

THIS WILL GIVE THEM SOME OF THAT MONEY.

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY.

THERE ARE OTHER LAWSUITS.

NOT EVERYONE IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS LAWSUIT, TOO.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, INSTEAD OF THE END.

>> ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THE SPEED?

IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A YEAR.

THE SPEED AT WHICH THIS WAS NEGOTIATED AND AGREED TO?

>> I AM SOMEWHAT.

IT IS SO COMPLEX.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE.

IT HAS HAPPENED RATHER QUICKLY.

THERE IS OTHER MONEY TO COME AND IT IS ALLOCATED ANOTHER WAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS JEREMY SAID, PEOPLE, IF THEY OFFER IT --I DON'T WANT TO --THE SHARE IS 25,000 OUT OF THE 600 MILLION, THEY CAN SAY NO AND THEN SUE ON THEIR OWN BEHALF AND OF COURSE IT COSTS MONEY AND SO FORTH, BUT MY GUESS IS, BECAUSE OF THE ATTORNEYS INVOLVED AND ALL THIS --REPRESENTING FACTIONS OF EAST PALESTINE PEOPLE, THAT THEY SEEM TO BE FAIRLY HAPPY WITH IT.

MY GUESS IS THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE WILL ACCEPT IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE.

80, 90, 92.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> IT IS NOT GOING TO BE DIVIDED EVENLY.

IF HE HAD SERIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS, YOU WOULD GET MORE.

IF YOUR BUSINESS WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A MONTH, AND ANOTHER WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS, THAT BUSINESS WOULD GET MORE.

>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING IS THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF STRINGS ATTACHED TO HOW YOU USE THIS MONEY.

THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING, HEY, DO I GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE SETTLEMENT, OR DO I GO AHEAD AND SUE?

THEY SEE THE CHANCE OF USING THAT MONEY FOR SOMETHING THEY REALLY NEED, WHERE IT COULDN'T BE COVERED OTHERWISE.

>> AARON BROCKOVICH, THE ACTIVIST AND ENVIRONMENTALIST, AND THE AFTEREFFECT, HE SAYS, THE MONEY ITSELF IS NOT ENOUGH.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT HAPPENED AND TELL US WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> I AGREE.

THESE TRAIN WRECKS COME AND GO, BUT THE RESIDUE OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO COMMUNITIES, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, PHYSICALLY, ECONOMICALLY, IT IS STILL THERE.

I HAVE GIVEN ATTORNEY FEES.

IT WOULD BE ABOUT SIX GRAND -- A PERSON WOULD GET THAT MONEY , EQUALLY.

THE OTHER CAVEAT --THEY CAN USE IT FOR ANYTHING THEY WANT.

THEY CAN USE IT TO BUY ANOTHER HOUSE SOMEPLACE ELSE.

THERE IS TRACTION TO THIS MONEY.

IMMEDIATELY, PEOPLE CAN USE IT.

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

YOUR FIRST.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE HUGE PROBLEM WITH FIRSTENERGY , AND AS SAM SAID, WE NOW HAVE TWO DEATHS.

WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN PRISON, ONE OF THEM, IF YOU BELIEVE IN ACTUARY TABLES, IS PROBABLY GOING TO DIE IN PRISON.

AND YET, THE WAY I HAVE SEEN PUBLICLY, ANYWAY, I DON'T SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE TRENTON PEOPLE, WHO, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT, BRIBED THESE PEOPLE FOR $4 MILLION.

I WOULD HOPE THAT IF THAT IS THE CASE --I AM NOT PASSING GUILT OR INNOCENCE MYSELF BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE FACTS --BUT IF IT IS, I HOPE WE SEE THOSE PEOPLE GO FOR SERIOUS TIME IN PRISON.

>> THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

MIKE, I AGREE WITH YOU, THE WAY CRIME WORKS.

AND PARTICULARLY FOR POLITICIANS.

I HAVE HEARD SOME PEOPLE SAY, TRUMP IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY TIME.

OH MY GOD.

WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE LISTENING OUT THERE, WE HAVE THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ON THE BALLOT, AND WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR SUPPORT BECAUSE YOU CAN CHANGE OHIO BY USING THAT COMMISSION.

>> JEREMY.

>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A PREDICTION.

I THINK, DESPITE THE NEWS WITH ONE MILLION DOLLAR PAYMENT TO THE HOUSTON CAMPAIGN, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AS BIG OF AN ISSUE IN THE 2026 GOVERNORS RACE AS RIGHT NOW IT MIGHT SEEM.

I THINK THERE ARE BIGGER ISSUES, INCLUDING WHO IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> JOE.

>> I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

WE SAW A LOT OF COMMUNITY POOLS CLOSING BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH LIFEGUARDS.

THIS IS THE TIME, RIGHT NOW, WHERE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES CAN THINK ABOUT TRAINING STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE, TO BE LIFEGUARDS TO HAVE AN A FOR THE SUMMER.

>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR THIS WEEK'S COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ONLINE OR ON FACEBOOK.

THE TOUR WEBSITE, WOSU.ORG AND ON YOUTUBE.

FOR THE CREW, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.