AS THE DATA CENTERCONTROVERSY GROWS, LAWMAKERS PUNTON NEW RULES.

> >> THE DATA CENTER CONTROVERSYGROWS, LAWMAKERS PUNT ON NEW RULES.

WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THERECORD. "

I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

WITH EACH PASSING WEEK THECONTROVERSY OVER DATA CENTERS IN OHIOINTENSIFIES.

HERE ARE THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES.

ATAX BREAK NEGOTIATED BY THENGOVERNOR JOHN KASICH MEANSCOMPANIES LIKE GOOGLE, META ANDAMAZON DON'T HAVE TO PAY SALES TAXESFOR UP TO 40 YEARS.

THOSE DEALS ALONE WILL COST NEARLY$2 BILLION.

THIS WEEK STATE LAWMAKERSTRIED TO PASS A BILL TO ELIMINATEORREDUCE THAT TAX BREAK ANDINCREASE REGULATION ON DATA CENTERS,BUT THEY COULD NOTCOME TO AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE RECESS.

AND THERE'S A REPORT THIS WEEK THATOHIO IS IN LINE FOR A MEGADATA CENTER.

THE TECH NEWS OUTLETCALLED THEINFORMATION REPORTS THE DATA CENTERWOULD COST A HALFBILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD.

IT WOULDBE LOCATED ON LEASEDFEDERAL LAND IN SOUTHERN OHIO.

FIRST TO THIS TAX BREAK.

IT CAUGHTLAWMAKERS BY SURPRISE.

HOW DID THIS GO UNNOTICED?

OR AT LEASTUNAPPRECIATED FOR ALL THESE YEARS.

>> SO THE ADMINISTRATION IS TRYINGTO MAKE THE CASE ALL THESE TAX CREDITSARE APPROVED IN PUBLIC MEETINGS.

THEY'REPOSTED ABOUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DATAON THE WEBSITE.

AND ALSO, IT IS NOTLIKE THEY'RE ATTENDED BY A LOT OFPEOPLE OR ANYTHINGLIKE THAT.

BUT THERE'S A NUMBER WHENTHEY APPROVE THE TAX CREDIT, THEYESTIMATE TO BE ACERTAIN SIZE.

THE NUMBER GOT WAY BIGGERBASED ON THE AMOUNTOF CONSTRUCTION THAT TOOK PLACE.

NOBODYEVER CIRCLEDBACK TO SEE WHAT IT WAS.

THERE ISALSOAN ESTIMATE LAST SUM WHERE THE BUDGETWAS BEING WRITTEN THAT TAX FEES AT$150MILLION, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE CLOSERTO $2 BILLION.

SO IT IS STRIKINGTHE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T REALIZE HOWBIG ITWAS.

IT IS A COMPLICATED ANSWER BUTTHAT'S PART OFIT.

>> ONE THING IS WHEN THIS WASAGREED TO 10, 12 YEARS AGO, AI WASN'TIN THECONVERSATION.

DATA CENTERS HAVE JUSTEXPLODED.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE ANTICIPATED WHATWE'RE SEEING NOW.

>>WHEN THESE WERE APPROVED, I REMEMBER,GOOGLE BUILDINGIN COLUMBUS.

EVERYBODY THOUGHT ITWAS REALLY COOL.

I DON'T THINKTHEY IMAGINED HOW BIG THESEWOULDACTUALLY GET.

>>2.

$6 BILLION SEEMS LIKE A LOT OFMONEY.

BUT THEY'VE COMMITTED TO SPEND $40BILLION INOHIO.

SO $2.

6 TOGET 40.

IS THAT A BAD DEAL?

>> I FEEL LIKE THEY'RE JUST TALKING.

EVEN THEINITIAL AGREEMENT ITSELF.

WE SAW HOWOUT OFWHACK IT WAS FROM THE ACTUAL PROPOSAL.

SOWORDS ARE GREAT.

ACTIONS ARE BETTER.

I THINK THIS WHOLE BREAK TIM HARDWAY ISA BAD IDEA AND A BAD WAY TO GOVERNAND THISIS A PIECE OF IT.

>> BECAUSE OF THEAMOUNT OF THETAX BREAK, WHY DIDN'TLAWMAKERS DO SOMETHING?

PEOPLE REALLYWANT STATE OFFICIALS TO DOSOMETHING.

CONTROL THE ELECTRICALCOSTS.

PROTECTTHE WATER.

>> I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCEOF OPINION.

THE HOUSE WANTED TOELIMINATE ALL FUTURE.

THE SENATE SAID LET'S REDUCETHE TAX BREAKS.

THE HOUSE SAID LET'SGET RID OF THEMALL TOGETHER.

THIS IS A FASCINATINGPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE WE'REGOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

THE UNIONSLOVEDATA CENTERS.

UNIONS SUPPORT DEMOCRATS.

RUBY RED COUNTIES, RURAL FARMERS,MAGAVOTERS, HATE DATA CENTERS AND THEY'REGOING AFTER THEIR REPRESENTATIVESSAYING STOPTHIS.

YOU HAVE THE REPUBLICANS ONONE HAND THAT ARE PRO BUSINESSBUT DATA CENTERS DON'T VOTE, BY THEWAY THEY'RE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

SO AT THEEND OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO FIND AWIN-WIN.

LOCALCONTROL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGTHOUGH IN ALL OF THIS NO MATTERWHAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSES.

LOCALCONTROL MATTERSTHE MOST.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID THEDATA CENTERS MUST PAY THEIR OWN WAY.

HE VETOED A PROVISION THAT WOULD HAVEDUNAWAY WITH THIS TAX EXEMPTION.

HE'S KIND OF GONE BACK AND FORTH ONTHIS.

>> ITHINK THE INDUSTRY HAS GONE BACKAND FORTH A LITTLE, TOO.

IF NOTHINGELSE THEY APPRECIATETHE POLITICAL BACK LASH IN AMERICAAND I THINK THEY'RE RETHINKINGMAYBE THE WAY THESALES TAX ALSO EXEMPTIONS WERE A DECADEAGO DON'TMAKE SENSE AT THE SCALE WE'RE SEEINGTHEMAT NOW.

THESE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS,THEY GO BUYSTUFF, ALL THAT STUFF, TOO.

LIKE MIKESAID, POLITICALLY DIFFICULT TO DONOTHING.

>> YEAH.

THE BROOKINGS DID A STUDYSAYING IT INCREASED UP TO 5% IN YEARSAFTERTHEY'RE BUILT.

SO DO WE NOT KNOW REALLYTRULY WHAT THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT WILLBE?

WE KNOWWHAT THEY'LL COST.

>> I DON'T EVENKNOW IF WE KNOW WHATTHEY'LL COST.

IF THERE IS ANYTHINGTHE LAST FEW YEARS SHOWEDUS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'LL COSTIN TERMS OFTHE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AS WELL ASTHE ACTUAL TAX BURDENTRADEOFF.

SO HISTORICALLY, THESEDATA CENTERS DON'T EMPLOY THAT MANYPEOPLE.

SO I WOULDLOVE TO SEE THE PLANS BUT I DON'TTHINK PUTTING THECART BEFORE THE HORSE MAKES A TONOF SENSE.

>> THEYMIGHT NOT EMPLOY A LOT OF PEOPLEBUT THERE'S MAMT NANCE, AI, YOU CANSEE TRUCK LOADS OFPEOPLE GOING IN ON A REGULAR BASISBECAUSE OF THEENHANCEMENT THAT'S HAVE TO HAPPENON AMONTHLY BASIS WITH MAINTENANCE ANDUPKEEP.

>> THEY'RE EMPLOYEES.

THEY'RE OHIOANS WORKING.

>> ARE THERESPINOFFJOBS?

DOES THE COMPANY WANT TO LOCATENEXT TOA DATA CENTER BECAUSE, I DON'TKNOW, MAYBE SHORTER TO GET THE DATA?

>> SOMEBODY MIGHT IMAGINE THAT HAVINGA BUNCHOF DATA CENTERS WOULD BE HELPFUL FORTHE INTELPROJECT.

I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THATKIND OF THING.

I THINK WITH THE COMPANIES THATSELL DATA CENTERS,BEING PHYSICALLY APPROXIMATE HELPSJUST LIKE HOW FAR IN THE WIRES ITHAS TOGO SO I THINK IT IS AN AS SET ANDI DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TOKNOW WHETHER IT IS REALLY A SELLINGPOINT.

>> THISMEGA DATA CENTER.

THIS IS VERY MUCHON PAPER.

IT IS REPORTED, THEY WOULDBE LEASED BY OPEN AI.

THAT'S THECHAT COMPANY.

TEN GIG WATTS.

THAT'S ENOUGH FORTEN HOUSEHOLDS.

SO ENOUGH TO POWER10MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.

OHIO ONLY HAS5MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.

THIS IS TWICEAS MUCHDATA THAN OHIO NEEDS FOROUR TVs IN OUR HOMES FOR ONEDATA CENTER.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

THEYWON'T BUILD IFIT THERE IS NOT A NEED.

SO THERE MUSTBE A NEED FORIT.

I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN HOW THISALL WORKS BUTTHE PRIVATE SECTOR WON'T SPEND THEDOLLAR UNLESS THEY CAN GETA RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.

THEREIS A NEEDFOR IT.

THEY WILL LEASE THE LAND FORIT.

AND AHUGE PART OF OUR ECONOMIC STATEMENT,DOESN'T GET A LOTOF JOBS.

APPALACHIAN OHIO ISNOT A CENTER OF OPPORTUNITY.

THISIS HUGE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVEDOWN THERE.

>> WOULD IT TAKE TENNUCLEAR REACTORS TO POWER IT.

>> YEAHOF THE IT WOULDTAKE THE POWER OF TWICE THE AMOUNTTHAT OHIO FAMILIESNEED.

THIS IS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT.

POWER.

AGAIN, YOU CAN'T JUST BREAK STUFFAND WAIT FORTHEPROBLEMS TO SHUT OFF.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS LAWMAKERSARE CONSIDERING IS TOMAKE THE DATA CENTERS PAY FOR THEUPGRADES TO THEGRID.

PAY FOR THE POWER GENERATION.

RATHERTHAN CONSUMERS.

>> AND YOU KIND OFHEAR THAT ACROSSTHE COUNTRY AND I SUSPECT THAT COMINGFROM THE DATACENTER COMPANIES, BASICALLY REALIZINGWHAT THEY'RE WALKING INTO.

I THINK THEY'RE SENSITIVE TO THE IDEATHAT AUTOMATIONMIGHT ALSO RESULT IN JOB LOSSES.

ITHINK THEY'REATUNED TO TRYING TOGET AHEAD OF THE PUBLIC FEELING.

STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE PASSED A BILLTHAT AIMS TO PREVENT ANDSPOT MEDICAID FRAUD.

THE MEASURE INCREASESPENALTIES FOR FRAUD, EXPANDS THE USEOFELECTRONIC MONITORING TO TRACK MEDICAID-FUNDED HOME SUPPORT VISITS.

IT INCLUDES OTHER TOOLS TO DETECTFRAUD.

WHAT IT DOES NOT DO ISCOMPLETELY ELIMINATE MEDICAIDPAYMENTS TO FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PROVIDENON-MEDICAL CARE TO LOVED ONES.

THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THEBILL INCLUDED THE FAMILY MEMBER BAN,BUT LAWMAKERS SCRAPPED IT AFTER HOWLSOF OPPOSITION FROM PEOPLEWHO CARE FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLYRELATIVES.

THIS IS WHETHER WHERE LAWMAKERSGOT AHEAD OF THEMSELVES.

THEY WEREFOLLOWINGTHE CHATTER THAT THE HOME VISITS AREFRAUDULENTBUT A LOT OF FOLKS CARE FOR THEIRDISABLEDLOVED ONES.

>> THERE IS A CONSERVATIVEWEBSITE.

BESIDES SOME OF THE FRAUD THAT ITSORT OF QUESTIONSWHETHER IT HAPPENS, WHETHER ITIS HAPPENING OR NOT, IT IS SOMETHINGLIKE, PEOPLE ARE GETTING PAID TO HANGOUTWITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WITH MEDICAID.

I HEARD FROMONE OF THESE FAMILIES.

A WOMAN WHOHAD TO QUITHER JOB.

THERE IS NOBODY ELSE TO TAKECARE OF HERSEVERELY DISABLED DAUGHTER.

THAT WOMANAND OTHERS LIKE HER TESTIFIED ATTHE OHIO HOUSE IN FRONT OF LAWMAKERSAND IT IS PRETTYCLEAR.

I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE.

NOTHINGHAD EVER HAPPENED.

I STARTEDWEEPING BASED ON THE DIFFICULTY THESEFAMILIES HAVE.

ITHINK THEY REALIZE, ATOP REPUBLICAN I TALKED TO SAID THEMORE YOU LOOK AT THESEPROGRAMS, THE MORE YOU REALIZE THEBENEFITS ARE INTERCONNECTEDWITH EACH OTHER.

THEY DON'T WANT TOJUST PRAISEPEOPLE FOR COOKING SOUP FOR GRANDMA.

BUT IT IS CLEARFROM THE TESTIMONY THAT THERE AREFAMILY THAT REALLY DEPEND ON THIS.

AND CUTTING THEM OFF WOULD BE REALLYDEVASTATINGFOR THEM.

>> TAKING CARE OF THESEFOLKS KEEPSTHEM OUT OF A NURSING HOME WHICH ISMUCHMORE EXPENSIVE.

>> THIS IS A NEDDEDPART OF OUR ECONOMY.

THIS IS UNPAID LABOR THAT HUNDREDSOF THOUSANDSOF OHIOANS HAVE TO TAKE ON.

SO I THINKTHE IDEA THAT IT IS INHERENTLY FRAUDULENTISNOT PARTICULARLY HELPFUL.

THIS WASA COMPLETELY MANUFACTURED CRISIS.

WEHAVE A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE THATJUST WANTS TOGO ON VACATION NEXT WEEK.

THEY'REPAC STUFF IN THEMIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND FIGURING ITOUT LATER.

EVEN IF THERE ISA PROBLEM, AND I THINK THAT WE HAVETHE REGULATORY BODIES THAT DEAL WITHACCUSATIONS OFFRAUD, SHOVING THROUGH A BILL ANDFIGURING ITOUT LATER AGAIN IS NOT THE WAY WESHOULD BE DOINGTHIS.

>> THIS WAS BIPARTISAN.

>> ITWAS BUT THEYDIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE AMENDMENT THAT'SWERE IN IT UNTIL IT WAS ON THE FLOOR.

>> I HAVE A MUCH MORE POSITIVEOUTLOOK ON IT.

IT WAS AN 85-10VOTE ON THE MEDICAID FRAUD PACKAGE.

THE BEAUTY IS IT WORKED.

THE PEOPLE,OHIOANS CAME IN AND SAID BAD IDEA.

HERE'S WHY.

THEY MAY HAVE MODIFIEDANDTOOK OUT THAT HOME HEALTH CARE PART.

THEY DID HAVE TO HIRE A BUNCH OF LOBBYISTS.

EVERYDAY HUMAN BEINGS AND SAID I'MCARING FORMY MOTHER, MY AUNT.

THEY DIDN'T HIREA $5,000 LOBBYIST TO DOIT.

KUDOS TO THE LEGISLATORS.

>>THEY ANNOUNCED THE HEARINGS VERY LASTMINUTE.

FAMILIES HAD TOTAKE TIME OFF WORK.

THEY HAD TO TRAVEL.

THEY HAD TO FIGUREOUT A WAY TO SHOW UP TOGO TO THE HEARINGS AND PLEAD FOR THEIRLIFE.

AVOIDINGA CATASTROPHE IS NOT ANACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> WE STILLDON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW BAD THEFRAUD SITUATION IS IN OHIO.

THEREPORT IN THE DAILY WIRE THAT RAISEDA LOT OFQUESTIONS.

WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA FOLKSGOING RODEWITH CAMERAS REALLY BEING KIND OFRESPONSIBLE.

WEDON'T KNOW.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAYSWE HAVEALL THESE CONVICTIONS.

SAVED ALL THISMONEY INFRAUD OVER THE PAST EIGHT OR TEN YEARS.

WE REALLYDON'T KNOW HOW BAD THE FRAUD IS.

BUTLAWMAKERS AREGOING CRAZY TRYING TO SOLVE IT.

>>AND THAT'S THECASE, YEAH.

I THINK WE CANALL AGREE ON ONE THING.

THERE ISAN ELEMENT OF FRAUD INOUR MEDICAID IN OHIO AND 49 OTHERSTATES ASWELL.

IF WE CAN TACKLE 5 TO 50%,THAT'S 5 TO 50% FOR PEOPLE WHONEED IT TO CARE FOR THEIRGRANDMA.

THAT'S A GOOD THING, WHETHERWE SAVE $1,$100 MILLION, WHATEVER THE NUMBERIS.

LETSROUT OUT THE FRAUD.

IT WILL BE APROCESS.

>> THEY HAVE INCREASED THEPENALTIES ON DEFRAUDING MEDICAIDOR ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.

BUTTHEYSKRAMD A WHISTLEBLOWER OR A, WHENYOUREPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS FOR POSSIBLEFRAUD.

THAT MAY NOT HAVE ENDEDWELL.

>> IT'S SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT.

PEOPLE WHO PROVIDENONMEDICAL SERVICES OR NONEMERGENCYTRANSPORTATION SERVICES WILLHAVE TO USE AGPS-ENABLED CARD TOCLOCK OUT WHEN THEY PROVIDE THESESERVICES.

THERE HAS BEEN SOMETHINGLIKE THAT TO PUT IN IT PLACE.

THETECHNOLOGYDOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.

IT IS BETWEENMAKINGIT ACCESSIBLE AND MAKING SUREPEOPLE WHO NEED IT CAN GET IT.

>> IN MINNESOTA, THE GOVERNOR, TIMWALZ, GETTING ALL KINDS OF CRITICISMBECAUSE OFTHE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS THERE.

REPUBLICANSARE ATTACKING HIM.

CAN DEMOCRATS CRITICIZE REPUBLICANWHO'S ARE IN POWERFOR NOT DOING ENOUGH ON FRAUD HERE?

>> I THINK THERE IS STILL A BURDENOFPROOF ISSUE.

FOLKS CLAIMING FRAUD SHOULD HAVE TOPROVE FRAUD.

AND THEN IF THE GOVERNING BODIES DOSOMETHING ABOUT IT,YES.

DEMOCRATS COULD EASILY SAY YOUDIDN'TDO THE JOB YOU SIGNED UP TO DO.

> >> IN THE 2026 CAMPAIGN, FORMER SENATORSHERROD BROWN SHOWS SOME SURPRISINGSTRENGTH IN A NEWPOLL.

THE FOX NEWS POLL SHOWS THEDEMOCRAT LEADING INCUMBENTREPUBLICAN SENATOR JON HUSTEDBY8 POINTS AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS.

53 PERCENT TO 45 PERCENT.

PREVIOUSPOLLS HAD THE RACE TIED OR HUSTEDWITH A SLIGHT LEAD INTHE RACE FOR GOVERNOR, THE POLL SHOWSIT REMAINS BASICALLY TIED, WITH AMYACTON HOLDING A ONE POINT LEAD OVERVIVEK RAMASWAMY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD BEDRIVING THE NUMBERS.

THE POLL SHOWSDONALD TRUMP'SAPPRVAL RATING IN OHIO HAS DROPPED10 POINTS.

IT NOW STANDS AT 42 PERCENT.

FIRST TO THESENATE POLL.

DO YOU BELIEVE HE HASAN8-POINT LEAD OVERJON HUSTED?

>> I THINK IT IS DEFINITELYTRUE THAT THIS IS A NECK IN NECK RACE.

THERE ISALSO A TON OF RACE LEFT TO RUN.

ITISJUNE.

THE ELECTION IS NOT UNTIL NOVEMBERSO A LOT CAN HAPPENBETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

IT DOESN'TSURPRISE ME AS APPROVAL RATINGS CONTINUETO PLUMMET ANDREPUBLICAN WHO'S HAVE TIED THEIR ENTIREPOLITICAL FUTURE TO HIMARE ALSO SUFFERING.

>> IS THAT A REDFLAG?

THE WAR IN IRAN ISUNPOPULAR AMONG SOME DONALD TRUMPSUPPORTERS.

ITIS STARTING TO CHIP AWAY AT SOME OFTHE FOLKS WHO ARENOT MAYBE DIEHARD DONALD TRUMPSUPPORTERS BUT ON THE FRINGE.

>> IT'SJUNE.

ALOT CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

I THINK THIS WAR NEEDS TOGET WRAPPED UP.

I THINK OUR GAS PRICESNEEDTO COME DOWN.

WE CAN'T GO TO THE GROCERYSTORE AND NOT SPEND$100.

IT'S JUST A FACT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I BELIEVETHATAS MARIA THAT, BE CAREFUL ON POLLING.

ESPECIALLY JUNE OR EVEN LATE MAY.

IF THE PRESIDENT CAN RALLY, THE MID-TERMELECTIONS, IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO GOWELL FOR US.

IF THE PRESIDENT CANRALLY AND GET PRICES DOWN, I THINKHUSTED WILLBE JUST FINE.

THESE FRINGE VOTERSWON'T FULL LEVER FOR AMY ACTON.

THEY'LL JUST STAY HOME.

THE BIGGESTPROBLEMIS THAT THEY'LL STAY HOME.

THEY HAVETO GET THEM OFF THECOUCH AND GO VOTE.

>> SO NEITHER CAMPAIGNREALLYBELIEVES THIS POLL SO MUCH.

SHERRODBROWN MADE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT.

LOOK, I'M GOING STRONG.

GIVEME MONEY.

JON HUSTED COULD SAY GIVE ME MONEY.

>>I JUDGE POLITICIANS BY THEIR ACTIONS.

HOW THEYTHINK THE RACE IS BECAUSE OFTHE POLL.

JON HUSTED VOTED FOR ANAMENDMENTTHAT WOULD BLOCK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONFROM REVIVINGTHE QUOTE, UNQUOTE, WHEREHE WANTED TO GIVE ALMOST $1.

8 BILLION TOPOLITICALALIZE.

AND HUSTED VOTEDWITH SOME OOFLS YOU CAN SEE AN EXAMPLEOF HIMDISING THE PRESIDENT AND MAYBE HE'SWORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE NUMBERS WILLBE.

>> HE SEES THE DOWNSIDE GOING FORWARD.

THIS IS REGISTERED VOTERS.

NOT LIKELY VOTERS.

SO THERE IS A DIFFERENCETHERE.

THE PRIMARY, IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLETO COME OUT AND VOTE.

ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NOT A BIG ISSUEONTHE BALLOT.

>> I THINKTHAT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY LIMITATIONSOFLIVING AND DYING BY POLLING.

BOTHCANDIDATES, ALMOST A CANDIDATE, IEXPECT WILL RUN THROUGH THE FINISHLINE AND DO THE BEST I CAN.

>> DEMOCRATS ARE MORE EXCITED ABOUT6 POINTS, 8 POINTS,THAN REPUBLICANS.

>> YET AGAIN, ITALL COMES DOWN TO TURNOUT.

AFAMOUS TWEET EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.

AT THE END OFTHE DAY, WHAT THEY NEEDIS TO SEE PRICES COME DOWN, GROCERYPRICES COMEDOWN TO GET THE AVERAGEMAGA VOTER TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

IT'STHAT SIMPLE.

> >> IF GAS PRICES COMEDOWN AND INFLATION COMESDOWN, DOES THAT MOTIVATE REPUBLICANSTO GO OUT ANDVOTE?

IF IT DOES, THEY'RE MAD.

THEY'LL GO OUT AND VOTE AGAINST SOMEBODYIF INFLATION ISHIGH.

BUT IF THINGS ARE GOING WELL,DO REPUBLICANSCOME OUT?

>> I WOULD SAY YES THEMDON'TWANT TO VOTE FOR AMY ACTON.

THEY'LL BE REMINDED ABOUT COVID WITHHUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

PEOPLEVOTED OUT SHERROD BROWN.

THEY NEEDA REASON TO GET OFF THEIRCOUCH.

I WOULD SAY ABOUT 50% OF THEM.

IF YOU CANLOWER THE PRICE OF GAS ANDGROCERIES, THEY'LLSAY THAT.

>> SO AS THE WAR ENDSAND GAS PRICES COME BACK DOWN -- >> THERE IS PLENTY OF RECORD TO RUNON.

THE REPUBLICANS RUN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE SEEN OVER ANDOVER THE WEAPONIZATION OFBOTH OF THOSE ENTITIES.

THERE ISNO SHORTAGE OF MATERIALFOR DEMOCRATS TO RUN.

ON.

>>IF THEY RAISED ARE60%.

IT WAS 9%FOR JON HUSTED.

STILLNOT VERY WELL KNOWN.

AMY ACTON, PRETTYWELL FLOWN.

>> I LOOK AT THEPOLL.

SHERROD BROWN MAKES THE HIGHEST.

AMY ACTON WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST.

VIVEK RAMASWAMY WAS THE HIGHEST ANDHE WASPULLING BAD IN FAVORABILITY.

I SUSPECTHIS AD CAMPAIGNSARE LIFTING HIM UP.

ISUSPECT SHERROD BROWN'S CAMPAIGNSARE BRINGINGHIM DOWN.

BUT PEOPLE, THAT'S WHYI CONCLUDE HE MIGHTTHINK THE COVIDPANDEMIC WAS REALLY DECISIVE.

IT DID YOU HAVE EVERREALLY SHOW UP IN POLLS.

WE'LL SEEWHETHER THECAMPAIGN MAKES HER INTO THAT.

> >> OHIOANS HAVE HAD TO SHOW A PHOTOID TO VOTE FOR THREE YEARS.

THE REQUIREMENT BECAME LAW IN 2023.

THERE'S NO EVIDENCE IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM.

NO ONE HAS SERIOUSLY CHALLENGEDIT.

BUT THE STATE LAW IS NOT ENOUGHFOR REPUBLICANS IN THELEGISLATURE.

THEY WANT TO ENSHRINEPHOTO VOTER ID IN THE STATECONSTITUTION.

LAWMAKERS THIS WEEKVOTED TO PUT THE AMENDMENT ON NOVEMBER'SBALLOT.

IF VOTERS, AFTER SHOWING THEIRID, APPROVE IT, IT WILL BE INTHE CONSTITUTION.

SUPPORTERS SAY THEMEASURE WILLPROTECT THE ID REQUIREMENT FROMCRITICS SAY IT'S NOT NECESSARY,AND SAY REPUBLICANS ARE JUST TRYINGTO BOOST TURNOUT.

THE OHIO CONSTITUTION DOESNOT PROHIBIT MURDER.

WHY SHOULD ITENSIDELINEPHOTO I. D. ?

>> I'VE BEEN ON YOURSHOW MULTIPLETIMES AND SAID WE SHOULD NOT USETHE CONSTITUTION AS THE OHIO CODE.

I WORKED HARD TO RAISETHE BAR TO PUT THINGS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

BUT AT THE END OF THEDAY, VOTER I. D. IS AN85% ISSUE.

EVERYPOLL SHOWSIVE%.

DEMOCRATS,REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, GAY, STRAIGHT,SUPPORT VOTER I. D. THIS WILL EASILYPASS.

DO I THINK IT SHOULD HAPPEN?

NO.

BUTIFSOMEONE GETS ELECTION, GOVERNORS,SECRETARY OFSTATE, THEY COULD NIBBLE AROUND THEEDGES.

THIS WILL NEVERCHANGE THAT VOTER I. D. IS REQUIRED.

I'M NOT AFAN OF PUTTING THINGS INTHE CONSTITUTION.

WE HAVE THINGS INTHERE THAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THERE TOBEGIN WITH.

>> DO OPPONENTSOF VOTER I. D. RUN A CAMPAIGN?

>>IDON'T EVEN THINK THERE ARE OPPONENTSTO VOTER I. D. WEALREADY HAVE IT AS A LAW AND THAT'STHE THING.

THIS IS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM.

WEHAVE ABILL SHOVED THROUGH REALLY QUICKLYAND ITWAS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD TO JUMPAND THEY JUMPED.

THE THING IS, THE CONSTITUTION SHOULDN'TNOT BEA TOOL BASED ON POLLING NUMBER TOINCREASE YOURVOTER TURNOUT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THEHEY HIGHCONSTITUTION IS FOR.

I'M A LAWYERSO I'M SENSITIVE TO THIS.

THE IDEA THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ADDINSOMETHING THAT FEELS VERY PLACE ANDTIME.

LAWS CHANGE, THINGS CHANGE.

WHATABOUT DIGITAL?

THERE ARE A LOT OFOPEN QUESTIONSABOUT THIS IN THE FUTURE SO THEY'REMAKING FUTURE PROBLEMS FOR THEMSELVES.

>> THE THEORY THAT THIS IS TOBOOST TURNOUT AMONG REPUBLICANS.

DOYOU BUY THAT?

>> I THINK THE BURDEN IS ON THEMTO DISPROVE IT.

THEYSAY IT'S NOT THE CASE.

TURNOUTIS A CONCERN FOR REPUBLICANS THISNOVEMBER.

THIS IS SOMETHING DONALDTRUMPIS PUSHING.

IF THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUTMAGAPEOPLE STAYING HOME, GET THEM INTERESTEDIN THE ELECTION.

>> IN2004, THE GAY MARRIAGEAMENDMENT, BANNING GAY MARRIAGE, WASON THEBALLOT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE,CONSERVATIVE THERE'S PARTICULAR,THAT SEVERAL STATES HAD LEGALIZEDGAY MARRIAGE.

IT HELPED GEORGE W. BUSH WINOHIO AND WIN RE-ELECTION.

I DON'TSEE FLOCKSOF PEOPLE WITH PITCH FORKS SAYING,IWANT PHOTO I. D. FOR MYVOTERS.

I DON'T THINK IT DRIVES TURNOUT.

>> THERE HASN'TBEEN A CASE OR AN ISSUE TO LIGHT THEFIRE.

NOW THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GETOUT AND SAY WENEED TO GET THIS DONE, CREATE A BOGEYMAN.

>> IS THAT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE?

ADS OF BUS LOADS OF IMMIGRANTS SAYINGWE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T VOTE?

>> IT'S NOT FUNDED SO I DON'TSEE IT.

IT'S ANNIVE% ISSUE.

IT'S GOINGTOHAPPEN.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TOCOME FROM TO DOTHE COMMERCIALS?

>> COULD YOU SEETHETURNOUT AMONG ANYBODY?

>> I DON'TSEE IT HAVING TOHAVE THAT EFFECT.

I DON'T THINK IT IS AS SLAM-DUNK ASYOU THINK IT IS.

THE QUESTION OF SHOULD IT BE IN OURCONSTITUTION, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILLSAY NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET TO OUR FINALSHOT.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT DATACENTERS.

SPACEX IPO,THEY MISSED AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW.

HE SAID IN FIVE YEARS HE'LLHAVE DATA CENTERS IN OUTERSPACE WITH THE SATELLITES.

WHAT WILLWE DO WITH ALLTHE BRICK AND MORTARS ON EARTH IFHECREATES ALL OF THEM IN SPACE?

>> SHOPPING MALLS.

>> DIDN'T HE SAY WE WOULD HAVE A SOCIETYON MARS BYNOW, TOO?

>> MINE IS A LITTLE MOREDEPRESSING THANTHAT.

YESTERDAY WE HAD THE FBI RAID.

THEPROGRESSIVE VOTING RIGHTS GROUP.

THEORGANIZING COLLABORATIVE.

THEY SPENT OVER 100 FBI AGENTSTO POTENTIALLY INTIMIDATE THIS GROUP.

ITHINK.

AGAIN, IT'S JUST AMAZING TOME THAT THEYARE SPENDING THEIR RESOURCES ON THISWHEN WE'RE STILL SEEING ZERO.

IT'S A REAL SHAME THE ALLEGATION OFFEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENTDOLLARS ARE GOING TO INTIMIDATIONEFFORTS.

>> I HAVE SOMETHING THAT MIGHTTUREOUT TO BE DEPRESSING.

BUT DANIEL WAS ONCE THE TO HAVEPICKING PROSPECTS.

HE'S A LOTOF INJURIES AND THEY'RE CALLING HIMBACK TO THEMAJOR LEAGUES TODAY.

WE'LL SEEIF THE FUTURE ME AGREES.

>> WE HAVE THECURE.

WEHAVE POLITICS IN APINT.

IT IS SURE TOOCCUR ANYDATA CENTER.

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US.

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