>> DEMOCRATS TARGET JD VANCE.

AND THE ABORTION DEBATE RAGES DESPITE THE VOTER APPROVED AMENDMENT.

> >> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD," I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WILL LIKELY START ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW.

BUT DEMOCRATS ARE NOT WAITING TO TAKE ON A LIKELY CANDIDATE, IOWAN AND VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE.

LAST WEEK ANDY BESHEAR TOOK A ROAD TRIP AND SPOKE TO FELLOW DEMOCRATS.

CONSIDERING A RUN HIMSELF, HE SAID VANCE HAS ABANDONED HIS HOME REGION, CALLED HIS MEMOIR, "HILLBILLY ELEGY," HILLBILLY HATE.

OTHERS HAVE TAKEN SWIPES AT VANCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT TOLD THE PRESS WHEN BESHEAR SPEAKS, HE ENDS UP DISCREDITING HIMSELF.

YOU LIVED IN THE AREA, IS TARGETING VANCE'S STRENGTH A WISE POLICY?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

HERE'S WHY.

WHEN TRUMP NAMED HIS VANCE TO BE RUNNING MATE, ON THIS SHOW I WAS TALKING ABOUT IT, I POINTED OUT IT WAS A SHREWD MOVE BECAUSE THE APPALACHIAN DISPOSAL OUT OF THE HILLS OF KENTUCKY AND EASTERN TENNESSEE LED TO A POPULATION OF 24 TO 26 MILLION DESCENDENTS OF THOSE HILLBILLIES HAVE MOVED UP TO MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, INDIANA.

THAT PROVIDES THE MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR REPUBLICANS.

BY GOING WITH JD VANCE ON THAT, I THOUGHT IT WAS A SHREWD MOVE.

SAME THING APPLIES HERE.

FOR THOSE PEOPLE, AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO I WAS RAISED WITH AND EVERYTHING, THEY'RE VERY MUCH STILL --PUT IT THIS WAY, EVERY ULTRA MAGA I KNOW HAS SOME HILLBILLY BLOOD IN THEM.

>> SO WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS?

>> KAMALA HARRIS, EVERY VICE PRESIDENT, YOU TRY TO DEFINE THEM BEFORE THE BIG CAMPAIGN.

>> THE FACT WE'RE BEGINNING THE ATTACK NOW IS TRADITIONAL AND LOGICAL.

AND I LIKE BESHEAR A GREAT DEAL.

SOMEWHAT TONGUE IN CHEEK.

HE'S TRYING TO SAY VANCE IS NOT THE TRUE APPALACHIAN DESCENDANT BUT I AM.

HE'S VERY MUCH OF A BLUE BLOOD FROM KENTUCKY.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOWN THERE.

AGAIN, I LIKE THE STATE AND HIM, BUT IT'S SILLY FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO DESCEND TO THAT TYPE OF CRITICISM WHEN HE HAS VOLUMES, SUITCASES FULL OF THINGS TO GO AFTER VANCE ON, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS THE FACT THAT HE JUST HAS BECOME A -- A PATSY OF THE PRESIDENT.

>> THAT'S, I MEAN HE'S NO LONGER ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT PERSON, HE'S THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE ULTIMATE INSIDER NOW.

IT'S HARD TO RUN AS A PERSON FROM APPALACHIA OR FROM SOUTHERN RURAL OHIO WHEN HE'S THE VICE PRESIDENT.

AND HAD A LAW DEGREE AT YALE, BUSINESS IN SILICON VALLEY, THINGS LIKE THAT, FAR REMOVED FROM APPALACHIA.

>> HE'S FAR REMOVED FROM APPALACHIA AND FAR REMOVED ON HIS POSITIONS BEFORE HE BECAME VICE PRESIDENT.

QUESTION I HAVE AND WILL BE WATCHING, AS THIS WAR -- IT'S NOT REALLY A WAR I GUESS BECAUSE IT WASN'T ORDAINED BY CONGRESS.

BUT AS THE CONFLICT WITH IRAN ACCELERATES, AS WE SEE TURMOIL FROM THAT AND FROM TARIFFS AND OTHER THINGS GO ON, I WONDER IF WE'LL START TO SEE JD VANCE'S POSITIONS VARY A LITTLE BIT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> THAT'S HARD TO DO, RIGHT?

KAMALA HARRIS FOUND THAT OUT.

WAS TIED TO JOE BIDEN AND WOULDN'T CRITICIZE HIM AFTER HIS CAMPAIGN IMPLODED AND SHE WAS THE NOMINEE.

>> I CAN SEE, YOU CAN'T LOSE YOUR SHADOW, WHAT JD VANCE WOULD HAVE TO DO TO SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM TRUMP.

BUT I COULD SAY I'M A NEW GENERATION OF LEADER, SUBTLE WAYS TO POINT TO HIS AGE BEING DIFFERENT.

BUT WHATEVER HAPPENS IN THE TRUMP TERM, VANCE WILL HAVE TO OWN IT.

>> HOW IS HIS POLICY STANCE PLAYING AT HOME?

SUPPORT FOR THE IRAN WAR, OTHER THINGS.

>> WHATEVER TRUMP WANTS IS WHAT THE ULTRA MAGA BELIEVE, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT DESCENDANTS OF THE HILLBILLY.

I'M IN THE MEDIA MARKET FOR CINCINNATI AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR, HE HAD THE BEST TV AD.

WE AS REPUBLICANS NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT BESHEAR.

AND HIS AD WAS ABOUT THE STATE GIVING MONEY TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY TALKED ABOUT FANCY PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT COUNTRY LINGO, THE PHRASE FANCY IS JUST LOADED WITH A WHOLE LOT OF VITRIOL.

AND IT WAS DEVASTATING, THE MOST DEVASTATING AD I'VE EVER SEEN.

AS REPUBLICANS, IF THEY'RE SMART IN OHIO, THEY NEED TO REALIZE THAT.

RURAL AREAS OF OHIO, VOUCHER PROGRAMS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE IS NOT GOING OVER WELL.

>> THE THING WE HAVE IN COMMON HERE IS THAT WE MAY NOT KNOW WHO THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IS GOING TO BE, HARRIS, BESHEAR, WHOEVER, BUT WE'RE PRETTY SURE OF WHO THE REPUBLICAN WILL BE.

EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE SAME MESSAGE AS THEY GO AROUND.

>> ARE WE THAT SURE THOUGH, JOE?

>> IT SEEMS SURE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT SEEMS SURE TO ME.

BUT I DEFER TO THOSE WHO PERHAPS -- >> SITTING VICE PRESIDENT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED THE FAVORITE TO BE THE NEXT NOMINEE WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS TERM LIMITED.

GEORGE H. W. BUSH, KAMALA HARRIS LAST TIME AROUND.

>> THE BIG MONEY IS LINING UP BEHIND RUBIO IF HE THROWS HIS HAT IN THE RING.

THEY'RE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE WITH MARIO RUBIO THAN JD VANCE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HE'S GOT TO BE THE FAVORITE, JD VANCE?

>> I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT BETTING MARKETS BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE AN AMBITIOUS REPUBLICAN, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THEM.

>> THE BETTING MARKET IS OVER FOR JD VANCE BUT THE BIG MONEY IS PILING UP.

I'M STUNNED AT THAT.

>> SOME VIEW A RETURN TO RUBIO AS A MORE TRADITIONAL VEIN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> LOT WILL DEPEND HOW THE IRAN WAR PLAYS OUT.

>> WAR?

>> SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE PRIMARY BEGINS NEXT WEEK.

VOTERS CAN MAIL IN THEIR BALLOTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUES TO CALL FOR RESTRICTIONS AND THE ELIMINATION OF MAIL-IN VOTING.

A NEW BILL IN OHIO REQUIRES VOTERS TO INCLUDE A PHOTOCOPY OF BOTH SIDES OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH THE MAIL-IN BALLOT AND SUPPORTERS SAY IT INCREASES SECURITY.

CRITICS SAY MANY DON'T HAVE SCANNERS AT HOME AND WILL DISENFRANCHISE THEM.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER ON IT.

OHIO ONLY SEES A MINISCULE AMOUNT OF VOTER FRAUD.

I STRUGGLE WITH THE SCANNER AND I CONSIDER MYSELF TECHNICALLY ADEPT.

IS THIS GOING TO GO ANYWHERE?

>> IF I NEED TO SCAN ANYTHING, I GO TO THE LIBRARY.

PUMP THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

IT'S SPONSORED BY RON FERGUSON, NOT THE HOUSE SPEAKER'S FAVORITE PERSON.

THERE IS THAT.

MORE GENERALLY, THERE'S A DECENT CHANCE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOING TO TRY TO BAN MAIL-IN VOTING FOR NO EXCUSE REASONS, UNLESS YOU'RE INFIRM OR OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHEN THIS WAS PASSED IN THE FIRST PLACE -- I THINK IT'S STRANGE THAT REPUBLICANS TIGHTENED THE IN-PERSON VOTING TO SHOW THE PHOTO I. D. , BUT MAILING WHICH REPUBLICANS ARGUE IS LESS SECURE DON'T HAVE TO SHOW I. D. THERE IS A INHERENT INCONSISTENCY, BUT TO RECTIFY IT, A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVE TO GET TO A COPY MACHINE.

>> AND THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THERE'S HUNDREDS OR EVEN DOZENS OF PEOPLE IN OHIO CHEATING BY MAIL-IN VOTING.

RIGHT.

HASN'T BEEN EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD MAIL- IN VOTING FRAUD, BUT THAT HASN'T PREVENTED ALL THE THINGS FROM COMING DOWN THE PIKE BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS WHO SPONSOR IT SAY IF THERE'S ONE CASE THERE MIGHT AS WELL BE A HUNDRED OR A THOUSAND.

ONE IS TOO MUCH.

THAT'S THE LINE THAT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE WHO SPONSORED THIS.

>> HE SAYS HIJACKING IS RARE BUT WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT IN LONG LINES AT THE AIRPORT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

THAT'S HIS RATIONALE FOR WHY.

>> THAT'S THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS WASTE OF TIME.

AND NONSENSICAL THING I CAN IMAGINE.

YOU CAN'T COMPARE THE TWO FOR ONE THING.

ONE INDIVIDUAL GETTING THROUGH WITH A BOMB IN HIS SHOES OR WHATEVER HAPPENED ONCE UPON A TIME, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE MUCH GREATER.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, JUST HAPPENED TO RUN ACROSS AN ARTICLE TALKING ABOUT THE INCIDENTS, I THINK 84 CASES NATIONWIDE.

BY THE WAY, NOT ALL THE THINGS HAVE TO DO WITH PRESIDENTIAL VOTING OR PRESIDENTIAL YEARS VOTING.

I SAW A GUY IN COURT A COUPLE THREE YEARS AGO WHO VOTED IN TWO COUNTIES, LINCOLN AND HERE IN FRANKLIN BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SINCE HIS BUSINESS WAS IN LINCOLN COUNTY IT WAS OKAY FOR HIM TO VOTE ON A LOCAL ISSUE.

HE WAS LOOKING AT A FELONY CHARGE AS A CONSEQUENCE.

TOTALLY INNOCENT.

>> BUT NOT HAPPENING EVERY DAY.

>> IT'S NOT IMMIGRANTS DOING THIS.

SOME THINK BECAUSE THEY'VE HEARD IF YOU'RE A PERMANENT LEGAL RESIDENT THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS OF A CITIZEN.

YOU SORT OF DO, BUT YOU CAN'T VOTE.

>> MAIL-IN VOTING, GO AROUND RURAL OHIO, IS IT POPULAR?

>> IT HAPPENS.

ON FACEBOOK RECENTLY, A FRIEND OF MINE POSTED A THING ABOUT THE SAVE AMERICA ACT AND I POINTED OUT THAT GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR AND WE'RE OFTEN THE BUTT OF HIS JOKES.

OUR POPULATION WHO WE RELY ON FOR VOTING SUCCESS IS THE WORKING POOR.

THEY MAY NOT HAVE READY ACCESS TO PASSPORTS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND ALL THAT RECORD KEEPING, ESPECIALLY MOVING AROUND IN THEIR LIFE.

AND WOMEN, HAVING MARRIED, REMARRIED, DIFFERENT STATES, CAN BE A HUGE PROBLEM.

WHEREUPON I WAS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO RIG THE ELECTION SO THE HAITIANS IN SPRINGFIELD COULD VOTE FOR ME.

I HAD TO POINT OUT I'VE NOT BEEN ON THE BALLOT FOR 26 YEARS, PLEASE SHUT UP ABOUT THIS.

>> THAT'S THE UNDERLYING EFFECT OF THIS, MISTRUST AND CONFUSION.

PEOPLE WILL HEAR THIS SHOW, I HAVE TO HAVE A PHOTOCOPY OF MY I. D. TO DO THE MAIL- IN BALLOT NEXT WEEK, AND YOU DON'T.

THAT'S WHAT SOMEONE WILL HEAR.

>> AND WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MAILS IN HIS VOTE TO THE FLORIDA ELECTION, THE PRIMARY DOWN THERE.

HE USES MAIL-IN VOTING, BUT THEN -- >> FROM FLORIDA TO HIS OFFICE IN FLORIDA.

>> RIGHT.

BUT I GUESS IT'S OKAY FOR ONE, NOT THE OTHER.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE THEME WITH A LOT OF THINGS THESE DAYS.

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

MY CONCERN AS A DEMOCRAT, BECAUSE I THINK THE DEMOCRATS LIKELY TO VOTE ARE A LITTLE MORE FRAGILE THAN REPUBLICANS ARE, AND CAN EASILY GET DISCOURAGED.

IF SOMEONE SAYS IT'S GETTING TOO CONFUSING, I'M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT IT, HE OR SHE GOING OUT THE DOOR, COULD BE A PROBLEM >> I THINK THAT'S OLD DEMOCRAT PROFILE AND OLD REPUBLICAN PROFILE.

NOW WE'RE THE PARTY OF THE WORKING CLASS.

AND IT'S GOING BE MORE CONFUSING FOR THEM.

AND IT'S JUST --EVERY NOW AND THING I SEE MY PEOPLE TAKE A GUN TO THEIR OWN FOOT AND I'M STUNNED.

> >> TWO YEARS AGO, OHIO VOTERS APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT GUARANTEES A RIGHT TO ABORTION UP TO THE POINT OF FETAL VIABILITY.

EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS A RIGHT TO MAKE AND CARRY OUT ONE'S OWN REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DECISIONS ON ABORTION.

THE STATE SHALL NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BURDEN, PENALIZE, PROHIBIT, INTERFERE WITH OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL'S VOLUNTARY EXERCISE OF THIS RIGHT UNLESS THE STATE DEMONSTRATES IT'S USING THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS TO ADVANCE THE INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH IN ACCORDANCE WITH WIDELY ACCEPTED AND EVIDENCE-BASED STANDARDS OF CARE.

THAT'S HOW IT READS.

IT'S NOT STOPPED CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS FROM FILING SEVERAL BILLS TO RESTRICT ABORTION.

INCLUDING ONE THAT REQUIRES A 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE A WOMAN CAN GET AN ABORTION.

ANOTHER REQUIRES DOCTORS TO TELL PATIENTS ABOUT UNPROVEN ABORTION REVERSAL MEDICATION.

I KNOW YOU FAVOR ABORTION RIGHTS BUT ASKING YOU TO BE THE JUDGE HERE, DO THE BILLS VIOLATE THE LANGUAGE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY DO REPRESENT A BAR.

IF NOT A BAR IN SENSE OF PREVENTING BUT A BAR YOU HAVE TO JUMP OVER.

THAT IS SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SAID YOU COULD NOT HAVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN THESE ATTEMPTS ARE GOING TO END.

AND PERHAPS THIS IS ALL A CONSEQUENCE, AS WRITTEN ABOUT, OF RED MEAT TO THE PRIMARY VOTERS.

I HAVE TO STOP AND THINK THAT PERHAPS THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> SOME OF THE FOLKS FILING THESE BILLS FIRMLY OPPOSE ABORTION RIGHTS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

IS THAT WHY THEY'RE FILING THE BILLS, TO BLUNT WHAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO?

>> THE THING THAT EVERYBODY IS AFRAID OF, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IS BEING TAKEN OUT IN A PRIMARY.

8% OF THE VOTERS ELECT 83% OF THE REPRESENTATIVES ACROSS THE NATION, NOT JUST THIS STATE, BUT FEDERAL LEVEL.

FOR A REPUBLICAN, THE SAFEST POLITICAL STANCE IS ABORTION IS MURDER AND THE NEXT STEP, ANYBODY WHO HAS AN ABORTION SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO DEATH PENALTY THEMSELVES.

FOR THE DEMOCRATS, THE POSITION IS ABORTION ON DEMAND.

THAT'S THE ABSOLUTE TO GET THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

THAT'S ALSO PROBLEMATIC FOR PEOPLE.

I'VE SUGGESTED IF REPUBLICANS WERE SMART, THEY WOULD OFFER A QUICK COUNTER AMENDMENT.

THE STATE MAY REGULATE ABORTION EXCEPT IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST OR HEALTH OF THE MOTHER, AND I WAS TOLD DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT.

>> WAS IT UNREALISTIC TO THINK THAT THE AMENDMENT, PASSED BY THAT MARGIN, A LANDSLIDE TODAY, THIS WOULD BE SETTLED?

>> IT'S UNREALISTIC WHEN YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY, EVERY SINGLE OFFICE ELECTED IN THE STATE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BERNER ON THE SUPREME COURT, EVERYONE IS A REPUBLICAN.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HATE THIS.

WHEN THEY DON'T LIKE SOMETHING THAT'S CONSTITUTIONAL, THEY TEND TO INTRODUCE A LOT OF LEGISLATION AGAINST IT.

THERE'S AN ELEMENT ALMOST OF THROWING THIS OUT THERE, SEEING IF IT CAN GET PASSED.

>> MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE IT WENT INTO EFFECT.

THERE'S BEEN CHALLENGES, BILLS AND LEGAL THINGS FILED.

WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG FOR THE OHIO SUPREME COURT TO WEIGH IN?

>> LOOK BACK TO SEE THE STATUS.

BIG DELAY WAS FROM THE TRIAL AND APPELLATE COURTS, TEND TO BE MAJORITY DEMOCRAT, HAVE BEEN SLOW IN RUNNING THEIR CASE, THERE ARE REASONS FOR THAT, TOO.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S BEEN SO LONG.

WILL BE INTERESTING WHEN THE OHIO SUPREME COURT DOES CATCH ONE OF THESE CASES.

I THINK REPUBLICANS WILL CONTINUE TO TRY THIS UNTIL THEY HIT A WALL AND HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

>> IF A REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ALLOWED A 24- HOUR WAITING PERIOD OR RESTRICTION THAT APPEARS TO VIOLATE THE LETTER OR SPIRIT OF THE AMENDMENT, DO THEY FACE CONSEQUENCES WHEN THEY RUN AGAIN?

>> NO.

NOBODY JUDGES THEM ON THAT.

ONLY WAY THEY'LL BE BOOTED OUT IS AN ABSOLUTE DEMOCRAT WAVE IN THE STATE AND THEN THEY COULD FACE CONSEQUENCES.

>> I'M NOT CERTAIN AT ALL THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD UPHOLD THE STATUTES, I THINK THEY WILL AGREE THAT IT REPRESENTS A BAR TO THE ACCESSIBILITY QUESTION.

AND WE HAVE CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HACKS IN THE SUPREME COURT.

THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE THERE.

>> I HATE TO BE CYNICAL, I PREFER THE TEAM REALIST, BUT THERE'S MONEY TO BE MADE KEEPING THIS ISSUE ALIVE.

OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE, THE NEW NAME OF THE ABORTION PRO CHOICE OHIO.

IF IT'S DONE, HOW DO THEY RAISE MONEY?

>> I MET WITH BOTH GROUPS IN THE 1990s, LET'S DO A COMPROMISE, IF THE COURT OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE, THIS IS WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT FOR OHIO TO DECIDE.

THEY WERE FURIOUS WITH ME.

TOOK ME YEARS TO FIGURE OUT WHY.

BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE MORTGAGES TO PAY, CHILDREN GOING TO COLLEGES.

THIS IS MONEY MAKING THING.

MUCH OF WHAT THE LEGISLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO IS ADVOCACY FOR PROTEST.

> >> LET'S GET TO OUR FINAL TOPIC.

JOBS OHIO AT THE STATE HOUSE, THE STATE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, FUNDED BY PROFITS FROM SALES AT STATE LIQUOR STORES BUT OPERATES AS A PRIVATE ENTITY, NOT REQUIRED TO RELEASE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC OR THE STATE AUDITOR.

FACING INCREASED SCRUTINY BECAUSE OF THE MONEY ON A LITTLE-WATCHED PODCAST ON VETERANS EMPLOYMENT.

THE HOST LINKED TO THE RESIGNATION OF CARTER, WHO ADMITTED TO A SECRET RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PERSON SEEKING BENEFITS FOR HER BUSINESS.

A NEW BILL WOULD REQUIRE JOBS OHIO TO SUBMIT FINANCIALS AND SUBMIT TO STATE AUDITS.

WHAT CAUGHT ME WAS THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAYING THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.

IT MAY GO SOMEWHERE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN THIS WHOLE BILL WAS DEBATED THAT CREATES JOBS OHIO.

AND I REMEMBER THE REPORTERS WERE SAYING WAIT, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ACCOUNTABILITY, WE CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

LO AND BEHOLD, THE WHOLE SITUATION HAS SHOWN THERE ISN'T ACCOUNTABILITY IN SOME PLACES.

SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS EVEN ARE SEEING THAT THIS HAS SOME FLAWS.

FORMER GOVERNOR KASICH CAME OUT, HE WAS STRINGENT AGAINST WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

SAID IT SHOULDN'T HAVE.

WE'LL SEE.

>> DOES IT FADE AWAY?

WILL THERE BE OVERSIGHT?

>> THESE QUESTIONS HAVE EXISTED SINCE IT WAS CREATED, LIKE JO SAID.

AND INSTANCES WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE GOTTEN ON BOARD, TOO.

BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO MAKE IT THEIR DEDICATED MISSION.

IF IT'S NOT COMING FROM CONSTITUENTS DEMANDING IT OR A CRISIS, IT'S NOT RATED ENOUGH.

WOULD BE A COMPLICATED CHANGE.

NOT THAT I THINK JOBS OHIO IS INVINCIBLE.

MAYBE CAN SET IT IN MOTION.

>> IF IT'S SUBJECT TO OTHER OPENNESS THAT OTHER AGENCIES ARE, CONFIDENTIALITY GOES OUT THE WINDOW AND IT'S HARD FOR OHIO TO CREATE JOBS HERE.

>> NO.

IN MY ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RECOVERING POLITICIANS, MANY OF US HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JOBS OHIO.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORMER STATE SENATOR GRAY.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH TERM LIMITS, YOU GET PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

GRAY WOULD HAVE TORE THAT BILL TO PIECES BECAUSE IT HAD NO LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OVER THE AGENCY, NONE.

NO BUDGET HEARING, NOTHING.

>> I USE THE TERM SCANDAL LOOSELY.

$60,000, IS IT ENOUGH TO FORCE CHANGE?

>> NO.

ONLY THING --I'M JUST A POOR COUNTRY LAWYER, BUT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD ABOUT JOBS OHIO SINCE KASICH WAS ADVOCATING FOR IT.

YOU REMINDED ME OF THIS, HE WANTED THE AGENCY TO BE INDEPENDENT, CORRECT?

BUT NOW -- >> NOT QUITE.

>> WONDERED ALLOWED WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN THERE BUT MADE IT SO NOBODY COULD FIND OUT.

>> YEAH, AND END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE WILL FIND OTHER WAYS OF GETTING AROUND THINGS, INFLUENCING PEOPLE AND GETTING TO GIFTS.

> >> FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

YOU'RE FIRST.

>> THANKS.

IN THESE DAYS, MY MIND HAS GRAVITATED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA WHERE I WAS BORN.

IT APPEARS AFTER 70 YEARS OF REVOLUTIONARY EXPERIMENTATION, WE MAY SEE CHANGES TO BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRACY TO THE ISLAND, BUT MY ONLY REGRET IS THIS IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE EMBARGO, NOW A BLOCKADE, OF OIL.

AND THE CANCELLATION OF THE CONTRACTS OF THE CUBAN DOCTORS ABROAD, AND I THINK THAT'S SHAMEFUL.

>> INTRODUCED SENATE BILL FOR ELECTION INNOVATION WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THROUGHOUT CITIZENS OHIO AND UNVEILED BY AN ELECTION LAW PROFESSOR HERE AT OHIO STATE IN COLLABORATION WITH A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER IN ECONOMICS.

ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF OTHER ELECTION REFORM, NONE OF THE DISADVANTAGES.

KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

>> I'LL PLUG MY STORY.

I WROTE THAT DEMOCRATS SAID THEY'RE TRYING TO INCREASE MARGINS IN THE OHIO HOUSE AND SENATE, RECRUITED THREE SUPERINTENDENTS OR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS TO RUN, IT'S THE ISSUE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> SOMETHING I'M REPORTING AS WELL, DEMOCRATS HAVE HONED INTO THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABILITY.

NOW WITH ALL THE BILLS PASSED, WE KEPT HEARING DEMOCRATS SAY THIS IS NOT WHAT OHIOANS CARE ABOUT, BUT THEY CARE ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

MIGHT HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

>> I WATCH THE CINCINNATI REDS AND SEE BETMGM WRITTEN ON THE FIELD.

PETE ROSE WAS KICKED OUT FOR GAMBLING.

CHECK OUT THE WOSU YOUTUBE PAGE, AT OUR WEBSITE AND THE PBS APP.

FOR OUR CREW, I'M MIKE THOMPSON, HAVE A GOOD WEEK.