>>> AMY ACTON RAMPS UP HER CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR AND WHERE DO TRANS RIGHTS GO FROM HERE?

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

THE DEMOCRATS ONLY CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IS OUT WITH HER FIRST CAMPAIGN AD.

IT'S A DIGITAL AD DESIGNED TO RE-INTRODUCE AMY ACTON TO OHIO VOTERS.

IT IMMEDIATELY BEGINS WITH ACTON TYING HER REPUBLICAN RIVAL VIVEK RAMASWAMY TO ELON MUSK-DESCRIBING THEM AS CHAOS CAUSING SELF SERVING BILLIONAIRES.

IT THEN TAKES A SOFTER TURN.

TELLING HER YOUNGSTOWN ORIGIN STORY.

AND REMINDING VOTERS OF HER ROLE DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

INCLUDING HAVING THE TOP OHIO REPUBLICAN ENDORSE HER WORK.

AMY ACTON SO WHEN THE MOST UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF OUR LIVES HIT, I THOUGHT ABOUT SAVING LIVES NO POLITICS.

> >> IT'S TRUE, NOT ALL HEROS WEAR CAPES.

SOME OF THEM DO, IN FACT, WEAR A WHITE COAT.

AND THIS PARTICULAR HERO'S WHITE COAT IS EMBOSSED WITH THE NAME, DR. AMY ACTON.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTH, THAT'S A BIT UNUSUAL.

>> IT IS.

BUT YOU KNOW, AS WE TALK ABOUT ON THIS PROGRAM, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SORT OF THIS WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, A HUGE SURGE OF SUPPORT FOR VIVEK RAMASWAMY, SO EARLY.

AND I THINK THAT HER TAKE IS, I WORK FOR MIKE DEWINE.

WE ARE A STATE WHERE MAYBE MODERATE REPUBLICANS DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND SO SHE IS GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A GAMBLE THERE.

>> SHE IS PORTRAYING HERSELF, TERRY, AS THE CHAMPION FOR STRUGGLING OHIOANS AGAINST SPECIAL INTERESTS AND LOBBYISTS, NONPARTISAN.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HER INTRODUCTORY VIDEO?

>> THE BIG THING, OTHER THAN PEOPLE TUNING IN RIGHT NOW SEEING A FEW SECONDS OF IT, IT IS ON TELEVISION, BECAUSE IT IS TWO MINUTES AND 40 SECONDS.

IT IS A NICE WAY TO TRY AND GET SOME FREE PUBLICITY.

TIM RYAN IN '22, SHARON BROWN LAST YEAR, TRYING TO SHOW YOU'RE CLOSE TO SOMEBODY IN THE OTHER TRUMP, AS THEY DID, OR THIS CASE, DEWINE.

I'M NOT SURE IT HELPS YOU GET ANYWHERE.

SHE OFFERED NO REAL SOLUTIONS WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO AS GOVERNOR.

HOW IS SHE GOING TO PAY FOR MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS?

HOW IS SHE GOING TO FUND THE THINGS SHE SAYS SHE WILL DO?

>> AS THE CAMPAIGN PROGRESSES, BY USING MIKE DEWINE IN THIS AD, DOES THAT ANNOY DEMOCRATS?

>> I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE, BUT MORE LIKELY, PICKING UP ON SOMETHING THAT TERRY SAID.

THE PATH TO VICTORY HERE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE WITH REALLY RUNNING UP THE NUMBERS WITH DEMOCRATIC BASE, THAT'S KEY.

INCREASING TURNOUT.

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, WE SAW LOW TURNOUT.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY SHARON BROWN WASN'T ABLE TO PREVAIL.

AND THERE IS A LANE FOR PERSUASION.

I'M NOT SURE IT'S WITH TRADITIONAL REPUBLICANS.

INDEPENDENTS ARE QUITE ANTIESTABLISHMENT THESE DAYS AND SO YES, SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO GO AFTER SPECIAL INTERESTS IS A START.

YOU HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND NAMING THE VILLAINS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE.

>> WATCHING THE VIDEO, AND KNOWING AMY ACTON, HOW SHE WAS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, SHE GOES AFTER VIVEK RAM SWAMNY AND ELON MUSK.

IT'S HER VOICE.

I DON'T THINK IT IS TOUGH ENOUGH.

SHE USES MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE THESE ADS AND MAKE THESE NEGATIVE ADS, RIGHT?

>> I'VE BEEN OUT TALKING TO VOTERS, WHEN I GO COVER A PROTEST AND WHATNOT.

AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE MAD.

AND SO I THINK THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A DEMOCRAT WHO IS READY TO TAKE IT TO THEM.

AND THEY DON'T WANT THIS COMPROMISE STUFF.

SO YOU MIGHT HAVE A POINT THERE.

>> DOES SHE COME ACROSS AS MAD?

IT'S OPTIMISTIC, IT'S HOPEFUL, IT'S NOT MAD AT ALL.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN HER MAD, HAVE YOU?

>> I THINK AMY ACTON'S BRAND IS GOING TO BE KINDER, GENTLER, THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE NEED.

WE ALL NEED TO GO TO THERAPY AND WE NEED TO --WE NEED TO BE COMFORTED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW, SHE'S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS COMFORTER.

YOU GET THAT FROM THE FIRST INTERVIEWS, YOU SEE IT HERE AS WELL.

IT IS NOT HER THING AND AGAIN, IT'S A GAMBLE, BUT YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY UNCERTAIN POLITICAL TIME.

>> THIS IS A VERY DIVIDED POLITICAL TIME, TERRY, DOES KINDER, GENTLER WORK?

>> IT IS DIVIDED.

EXPECT A GOVERNOR TO NOT JUST BE COMFORTER IN CHIEF, BUT SOMEBODY THAT RUNS THE PLACE, KEEPS THE HIGHWAYS CLEAR, THE PRISONS RUNNING, ALL THE OTHER THINGS HAPPENING.

WHAT IS IRRELEVANT ABOUT THIS VIDEO, THERE'S REALLY AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

ONE MAN, ONE VOTE, IT IS SHARON BROWN.

UNTIL HE DECIDES WHAT HE'S DOING OR NOT DOING, ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND HER ARE PRIMARILY PEOPLE.

SO, IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT, NICE SHE HAS A LITTLE VIDEO.

BUT UNTIL BROWN DECIDES WHAT HE'S DOING OR NOT DOING, IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

>> SHE'S OUT WITH THE AD NOW.

WE ARE NOW LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY FROM THE PRIMARY, MORGAN, IS SHE GOING AHEAD WITH THIS CAMPAIGN?

SHE ANNOUNCED BEFORE SHE MADE THE DECISION, NOW SHE'S SAYING, I'M RAISING MONEY, I'M GOING TO ALL THESE DINNERS.

NOW OUT WITH AN AD, I'M A SERIOUS CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> LOOK, I DEFINITELY THINK AMY ACTON IS TRYING TO RUN A REAL CAMPAIGN HERE TO PUT HERSELF FORWARD AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR OHIO GOVERNOR.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL REMAIN IF BROWN DECIDES HE WANTS TO BE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR OHIO GOVERNOR, I AM SKEPTICAL.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY TOUGH FOR HER TO SAY.

MAYBE THERE'S A SWITCH AND SHE SHIFTS TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHO KNOWS.

BROWN IS VERY MUCH IN CHARGE OF OHIO DEMOCRATIC POLITICS RIGHT NOW, AND HIS WORD IS GOING TO CARRY A LOT IN WHAT HE DECIDES TO DO.

>> I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DEBATE WITHIN BOTH PARTIES IN THE STATE OVER WHETHER TO ENDORSE IN PRIMARIES, WHETHER TO AVOID PRIMARIES.

THERE'S SORT OF BEEN A CONSENSUS AROUND THE FACT THAT SOME COMPETITION AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL CAN BE GOOD FOR A PARTY, BECAUSE YOU GET A CHANCE TO KIND OF GET YOURSELF OUT THERE AND BE DEBATING.

OTHERWISE, YOU GET ZERO HEADLINES UNTIL THE GENERAL, BECAUSE NOBODY IS COVERING YOU.

>> YEAH, YOU'RE NOT TESTED AS MUCH.

YOU ARE NOT DEBATING YOUR OPPONENTS IN THE PRIMARY.

YOU CAN MAKE MISTAKES.

IT'S A BIT OF A RISK.

VIVEK IS NOT GOING TO DEBATE ANYBODY REALLY UNTIL THE GENERAL.

>> RIGHT.

>> TIM RYAN, ANY WORD?

HE SAYS HE IS CONSIDERING IT.

WAITING TO SEE WHAT BROWN SAYS.

>> HE SAID THAT FOR YEARS AND YEARS ON DIFFERENT OFFICES.

HE HAS A TANGLE WITHIN HIS OWN DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WHEN YOU'RE A LOBBYIST FOR THE NATURAL GAS PEOPLE AND THE BITCOIN PEOPLE.

DOES THAT SELL WITH THE DEMOCRAT BASE?

>> IT MIGHT SELL WITH INDEPENDENTS, THOUGH.

>> IT'S POSSIBLE.

BUT LOOK, WHOEVER THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IS, I THINK THE POINT REMAINS THAT VIVEK RAMASWAMY WILL HAVE A CLEAR LANE HERE AND EVEN THOUGH THERE'S SOME VULNERABILITY WITH THINGS LIKE HIS ASSOCIATION, WITH ELON MUSK, ELON MUSK IS OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BUILD HIS BRAND OF NATIONAL BRAND IN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT THAT IS ANTIESTABLISHMENT.

THAT IS KIND OF INDEPENDENT.

THAT IS A BUSINESS GUY.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO BE TAKING ON, AND I DO THINK IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A MUCH MORE ANTIESTABLISHMENT MESSAGE AND IT IS TOUGH FOR ESTABLISHMENT PEOPLE TO AUTHENTICALLY CONVEY AN ESTABLISHMENT MESSAGE.

>> SHE WAS THE HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

>> ASSOCIATE HERSELF WITH MIKE DEWINE, THE OTHER THING IS, THE PAST WEEK, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WAS IN OHIO SAYING HOW IMPORTANT OHIO IS.

WHERE IS THE MONEY?

UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO SHOW THE MONEY AND REALLY PUT SOME COMMITMENT INTO OHIO AND THERE WAS ALSO CHUCK SCHUMER HAVING DINNER LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, SUPPOSEDLY, WITH SHARON BROWN.

WE'LL SEE WHAT CHUCK SCHUMER PROMISED HIM TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

>> YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT TIM RYAN, YOU KNOW, BEGGED FOR DNC MONEY AT THE END OF THAT CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE BETTER CAMPAIGNS WE'VE SEEN IN, YOU KNOW, DECADES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND HE GOT PRETTY CLOSE, BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY.

>> ALSO MONEY FOR WHAT?

AND IF IT'S GOING TO BE MONEY THAT IS GOING INTO ADS THAT HAVE BEEN SAYING THE SAME THING OVER A YEAR, THAT'S ONE USE OF MONEY.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE MONEY THAT IS SERIOUS ABOUT BUILDING UP THE BASE ON THE GROUND AND DOING REAL GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZING, THAT'S ANOTHER LANE FOR THAT MONEY.

THAT'S A LANE THAT WE HAVE NOT AUTHENTICALLY EXPLORED IN SOME TIME AND PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO PLUG INTO.

> >> OHIO'S SYSTEM OF COLLECTING PROPERTY TAXES IS COMPLICATED.

IT INCLUDES THE TERMS.

APPRAISED VALUE.

ASSESSED VALUE.

MILLS.

MILLAGE RATE.

INSIDE MILLAGE.

OUTSIDE MILLAGE.

PERMANENT LEVIES.

REPLACEMENT LEVIES.

RENEWAL LEVIES IT 'S MIND NUMBING.

HERE'S WHAT IS NOT COMPLICATED.

PROPERTY TAXES HAVE SKYROCKETED BY NEARLY 25% THE PAST FEW YEARS AND EXPERTS PREDICT THEY WILL GO EVEN HIGHER BECAUSE OF RISING PROPERTY VALUES.

AS A RESULT, PROPERTY OWNERS DEMAND STATE LAWMAKERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

IF THEY DO, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, IN PARTICULAR, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COULD GET LESS MONEY THAN THEY EXPECTED.

JO INGLES, THIS LATEST PROPOSAL TARGETS THE PORTION OF YOUR TAX BILL THAT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN RAISE ON THEIR OWN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO VOTERS.

THAT'S WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE TARGETING NOW.

>> YES, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE TARGETING NOW.

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT IDEAS IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW AND THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT AND THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THEY ARE DEALING WITH SCHOOLS, BASICALLY, THE OVERAGES THEY CAN CARRY ON THEIR BUDGET.

IF IT GETS ABOVE 50%, THEY HAVE TO GIVE A REBATE BACK TO TAXPAYERS.

IT'S A WHOLE COMPLICATED THING.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT NONE OF THESE ARE BEING WIDELY EMBRACED BY PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES OF THE AISLE AS THAT'S THE IDEA.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

AND WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY KIND OF ALTERNATIVE BEING FLOATED THAT PEOPLE REALLY LIKE.

>> TINKERING, JULIE, IS IT BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS SO COMPLICATED AND YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL INCLUDES SCHOOLS, FIRE, THE ZOO, ORGANIZATIONS?

>> YES, THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION AND I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE USING THE BUDGET TO TRY TO GET SOME MONEY AND RELIEF AND DO THE MONEY PIECE.

THEY HAVE THESE OTHER BILLS THAT ARE SEPARATELY MOVING THAT ARE TRYING TO ACTUALLY FIX A SYSTEM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF SORT OF A SYSTEMIC OVERHAUL.

AND SO I WAS THINKING AS WE WERE PREPARING FOR THE SHOW, THAT YOU KNOW, THE PROBLEM WITH SCHOOL FUNDING KEEPS ON REARING ITS HEAD, BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE BIG FIX AND THEY ARE SORT OF LIKE, WELL, WE'LL CANCEL THIS AND START THIS.

SO THE MESSAGING AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF IT, IT CAN BE POLITICAL --CAN BE A POLITICAL NIGHTMARE FOR PEOPLE IF THEY VOTE THE WRONG WAY.

>> DO LAWMAKERS COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF PLAN THAT WILL LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAXES?

>> I TALKED YESTERDAY TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVE THOMAS WHO IS A FORMER COUNTY AUDITOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THESE ISSUES.

THERE ARE SOME ELEMENTS IN THAT BILL THAT MIGHT GET PASSED, BUT CONQUERING AND SOLVING ALL OF INSIDE MILLAGE IS VERY CHALLENGING.

IT'S A STEEP HILL TO CLIMB, BECAUSE OHIO HAS SUCH A DIVERSITY.

AND ANOTHER STATE REPRESENTATIVE POINTED OUT THE PROBLEM.

IF YOU HAVE SMALL RURAL COUNTIES WITHOUT MUCH OF A TAX BASE.

YOU HAVE HERE IN CENTRAL OHIO, SOME RICH COUNTIES WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WILLING TO VOTE ON HIGHER THINGS.

SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE TIME.

THIS PROBLEM WASN'T CREATED OVERNIGHT AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE AWHILE.

AND LET'S THROW IN ALSO TAX ABATEMENTS, BECAUSE WE TALKED TO THE SCHOOL PEOPLE.

A LOT OF THE TAX ABATEMENTS ARE GIVEN OUT LIKE CANDY AND THAT ULTIMATELY COSTS THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER, SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE, APARTMENT OWNERS, MORE MONEY TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT'S GIVEN AWAY IN A TAX ABATEMENT.

>> BOTTOM LINE IS, THE REASON WHY PROPERTY TAX BILLS HAVE GONE UP, PROPERTY VALUES HAVE GONE UP.

WHEN PROPERTY TAXES GO UP, THAT MONEY GOES SOMEWHERE.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE COMPLAINING IF YOU CHANGE IT, THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE MONEY.

THEY'VE BEEN MAKING MONEY, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT MAKING MONEY FROM HOME.

WE HOSTED COMMUNITY EVENT LAST WEEK WHERE PROPERTY TAXES WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT CAME UP FROM A LOT OF SENIORS.

HOW IS IT FAIR THAT I'M ON A FIXED INCOME, BUT THERE'S THIS EXPENSE THAT WILL KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN TO LIVE IN A COUNTY THAT, YOU KNOW, TO YOUR POINT, IS GROWING AND THESE PROPERTIES ARE MORE VALUABLE.

WE'RE AT A BREAKING POINT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERATIONAL LOSS OF WEALTH AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR AND I THINK A LOT MORE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IT.

>> THERE IS A BREAK IN THE LAW, HOUSE BILL 920, THAT FORCES A REDUCTION FACTOR AS VALUES GO UP.

BUT AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE WE GET INTO THE INSIDE MILLAGE, WHICH WE ARE NOT TO EXPLAIN HERE.

>> INSIDE MILLAGE, REDUCTION FACTORS, JULIE, WE'RE NOT THE FIRST --EVERY STATE IS GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW.

25% ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN LIGHTNING ROD ISSUES.

WHAT MAKES THIS ONE SO DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, I THINK BECAUSE I THINK OUR 920 WAS IN THE 1970s, RIGHT?

AND SO THERE IS A FACTION OF PRETTY SMART PEOPLE OUT THERE TRYING TO FIX THIS AND NOW THEY HAVE TO CONVINCE ENOUGH PEOPLE AT THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THE POLITICAL HIT.

TO DO A NEGATIVE THING THAT WILL HURT SOME PEOPLE IN THE SHORT-TERM, AND MAKE THEIR CASE THAT THIS IS BETTER IN THE LONG- TERM.

BUT YOU KNOW, MY POINT ON SCHOOL FUNDING IS, YOU CAN LOSE SOME OF THE GOOD WILL IF YOU'RE DOING THINGS LIKE UNDER FUNDING THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA AND ALSO TELLING SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT THEY HAVE TO OBLIGATE -- THEY HAVE TO GIVE BACK A PIECE OF THEIR RESERVE, ETCETERA, ETCETERA.

SO YOU ARE DOING ALL THESE THINGS AT ONE TIME WHILE YOU'RE TRYING TO BUILD THE VOTES.

>> GO AHEAD, JO.

>> I WILL HIGHLIGHT ONE THING.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEING DIFFERENT.

THE ONES THAT ARE GROWING FAST, ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING IN THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THEIR TREASURER, THEY GET ABOUT $800, $900 PER KID FROM THE STATE.

THEY ACTUALLY PAY ABOUT $16,000 PER KID TO EDUCATE THOSE KIDS.

SO WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM?

THE BULK OF IT COMES FROM LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

SO, HE POINTS OUT THAT THE VOUCHERS, THOSE ARE ABOUT $8,000, FOR SOME OF THOSE, AND THOSE GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

KIDS WHO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

HE DOESN'T FEEL THAT IT'S FAIR, ESPECIALLY TO GROWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE NO WAY TO CONTROL THE GROWTH, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TELL A DEVELOPER THEY CAN'T PUT FAMILY HOMES IN.

SO HE DOESN'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT THE STATE COMES IN AND SAYS, OH, WE'RE NOT PAYING YOU ANYTHING, AND BY THE WAY, YOU HAVE ALL THESE OTHER ISSUES OUT HERE.

IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF VOTER ISSUE REPEALING ALL PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S COMING UP.

PERHAPS NEXT YEAR.

ANYWAY.

> >> THE BREAKING NEWS IN THE PLAN TO USE TAX MONEY TO BUILD PRO SPORTS STADIUMS IS THAT OTHER TEAMS BESIDES THE BROWNS WANT IN, TOO.

EXECUTIVES FROM 14 OHIO PRO SPORTS TEAMS WROTE A LETTER TO GOVERNOR DEWINE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND URGE THEM TO USE MONEY IN THE STATE'S UNCLAIMED FUNDS ACCOUNT TO SUPPORT STADIUM AND ARENA CONSTRUCTION.

SIGNING THE LETTER INCLUDE EXECUTIVES FROM THE CLEVELAND GUARDIANS, CINCINNATI RED, THE BLUE JACKETS, THE CLIPPERS, AND THE TOLEDO HOCKEY CLUB.

OWNERS SITE ECONOMIC BENEFITS THAT TEAMS BRING TO THE STATE.

THE LETTER DOES NOT DISCLOSE THE NET WORTH OF THE TEAMS OR THE OWNERS THEMSELVES.

TERRY CASEY, THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ANNOUNCE THEY ARE BEING SOLD FOR $10 MILLION.

>> THE PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO RIDE THIS GRAVY TRAIN.

THERE'S A PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN OHIO THAT WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, CALLED THE BUCKEYES.

THEY MIGHT NEED SOME IMPROVEMENTS.

THERE'S A GREAT GOLF TOURNAMENT, MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE ENTITLED, BECAUSE THEY DRAW A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT'S DEBATABLE, THE BENEFIT OF PRO SPORTS, ESPECIALLY THE NFL, WHEN THEY PLAY EIGHT HOME GAMES A YEAR.

THERE'S A LOT OF PRO AND CON DEBATES.

MY SENSE IS, IF YOU'RE THE GOFF FLOOR, YOU'RE A KEY LEGISLATIVE LEADER, YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER TO WHY YOUR TOWN LOST AN NFL TEAM.

THERE'S A LOT OF TOWNS THAT WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE BENGALS OR THE BROWNS MOVE THERE.

>> OHIO HAS THE MOST PRO MAJOR LEAGUE, PRO SPORTS TEAMS PER CAPITA OF ANY STATE.

MIGHT BE COLORADO, WE'LL LET THAT GO.

JULIE, IS THIS GOING TO PASS IN SOME FORM?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THE ASSET OF THE SENATE VERSION OF THE FUNDING PLAN IS THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO RAISE TAXES.

THE HOUSE WANTED TO USE BONDS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE FREE MONEY TO PEOPLE.

SO THEY THINK THEY CAN DO THIS.

I MEAN, CAN THEY DO IT ON AN ON GOING BASIS?

WHO KNOWS, BECAUSE ONCE PEOPLE START REALIZING, UNCLAIMED FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, WHAT?

I THINK ALREADY, THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A RUSH ON THAT FUND TO PEOPLE SAYING, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

BECAUSE THEY AREN'T EVERYBODY'S TAX DOLLARS.

>> THE STATE IS BORROWING FROM ITSELF.

THE CONSTITUTION, THEY CAN'T DRAIN THIS ACCOUNT AND REFUSE TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

RIGHT, MORGAN?

>> IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS.

IF THIS DOES GO THROUGH, IT'S REALLY ANOTHER SIGN FROM OUR LEGISLATURE THAT THEY WILL GIVE AWAY TO THOSE THAT PROBABLY DON'T NEED IT.

I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN OWNERS OF THE BROWNS AND THEN SOME OF THE COMMUNITY TEAMS OF MORE MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT INCREASINGLY, WITH SOMETHING LIKE THE BROWNS.

THESE AREN'T ALWAYS VERY ACCESSIBLE EVENTS.

THEY CAN BE QUITE EXPENSIVE.

IN ADDITION TO THE OWNERS THEMSELVES HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES, THEY ARE CATERING TO A CERTAIN SLICE OF THE COMMUNITY.

THAT ARGUMENT HOW SPORTS ARE A KEY PART OF BEING IN OHIO.

WE ALL LOVE SPORTS, ARE WE ALL ABLE TO ACCESS THEM IN THE SAME WAY?

>> ONE THING I'M HEARING A LOT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IS THAT THEY ARE WONDERING HOW THE STATE CAN BE SO CREATIVE AND FIND FUNDING FOR THE BROWNS, WHEN THEY CAN'T FIND FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND I'M HEARING THAT EVERY TIME I GO OUT AT A RALLY.

EVERYWHERE I GO, I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT.

SO I THINK THAT ALSO PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND WHEN YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS.

>> THE STATE OF OHIO HAS BEEN DIPPING INTO THE UNCLAIMED FUND MONEY ANYWAY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKING OFF THE TOP INTEREST MONEY AND PUTTING IT IN THE GENERAL FUND.

SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING UNHEARD OF.

IT IS CREATIVE AND IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG, EASIER TO SKIM MONEY OUT OF THINGS FOR ONE TIME MONEY TO BUILD SOMETHING VERSUS SOMETHING THAT IS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> I HAVE TO ADD TO THIS, THE PRO SPORTS TEAMS WILL NEVER ASK FOR MONEY AGAIN.

>> THEY'LL WANT A BIGGER SCORE BOARD.

> >> ANYWAY, OUR FINAL TOPIC, TRANSGENDER RIGHTS SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT SETBACK AND THE U. S. SUPREME COURT UPHELD TENNESSEE'S BAN ON TREATMENTS FOR MINORS.

OHIO HAS A SIMILAR BAN, TOP STATE OFFICIALS SAY THE SUPREME COURT RULING SOLIDIFYING OHIO'S BAN ON HORMONE THERAPY.

IT VIOLATES THE OHIO CONSTITUTION AND THAT LAWSUIT CONTINUES.

MOHR BEGAN HARPER, WHERE DO TRANSGENDER RIGHTS STAND AFTER THIS RULING?

>> I THINK IT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

THE COVERAGE WAS INTERESTING IN REVIEWING, HONESTLY, THAT WE HAVE TRANSGENDER CONGRESSPERSON, SARAH McBRIDE, SAYING THERE NEEDS TO BE A WIDER TENT ON THIS ISSUE IN PARTICULAR.

AND JUST HOW MUCH INFLUENCE PERHAPS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THOUGH, OPERATING SEPARATELY, MIGHT HAVE HAD OVER PARTY POLITICS.

SO I THINK THIS IS GOING -- THIS ISSUE IS NOT GOING AWAY.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUND THAT IT OFFERS A VERY STRONG POLITICAL ADVANTAGE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP IT IN THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE, EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE ONE, THE FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD ISSUE THAT PEOPLE BRING UP ON THEIR OWN.

IT IS POLITICAL FOR THEM TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT.

WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER STRATEGY HERE.

>> THE "NEW YORK TIMES," THIS SUNDAY IN THEIR MAGAZINE SECTION HAS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE THAT BASICALLY SAYS THE ACLU AND OTHERS ROLLED THE DICE, HOPING THEY WOULD BE ON A WINNING STREAK WITH THE SUPREME COURT.

INSTEAD, THEY LOST.

IN REALITY, IT PROBABLY SETS THE THING BACK.

THAT ARTICLE REALLY DETAILS A LOT OF THE DIVISION WITHIN MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AS FAR AS WHAT WORKS AND ALSO SITES POLLING, EVEN WITH DEMOCRATS, WHO ARE NOT AS SUPPORTIVE OF CERTAIN MEDICAL TREATMENTS BEING DONE TO MINORS.

SO, THERE'S SOME BIG ISSUES AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENS OR NOT WITH ADULTS VERSUS WHAT HAPPENS WITH CHILDREN.

>> JULIE, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSGENDER CARE FOR MINORS AND WHETHER THE HORMONE AND PUBERTY BLOCKERS HAS LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS AND WHETHER THEY WORK OR NOT.

BUT PASSING LAWS TO REGULATE MEDICINE.

THIS TREATMENT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.

I MEAN, EVEN, YOU KNOW, BLOOD LETTING IS NOT ILLEGAL, BUT WE DON'T DO IT.

WE DONATE BLOOD, BUT SHOULDN'T THIS BE ENOUGH TO DOCTORS IN THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, THE EXPERTS RATHER THAN THE COURTS AND EVEN THE LAWMAKERS?

>> WELL, I MEAN, MORGAN HIT ON IT.

IT'S VERY EFFECTIVE TO USE IN ADS AND IN POLITICKING AND SO THAT'S PART OF IT, IS THE IDEA THAT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE CAN BE TURNED INTO SORT OF THE PUNCHING BAG FOR PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND I THINK WE ALL KNOW THE STATISTICS WHAT A SMALL FRACTION OF PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

PEOPLE, GENERALLY, ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN KIND OF HEALTHCARE, PARTICULARLY FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND IN AN ERA OF PARENTS RIGHTS.

YOU KNOW, OTHERS WOULD SAY THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE DON'T ALLOW.

WE HAVE LAWS AGAINST, YOU KNOW, TANNING BEDS AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT SEEM TO BE SOCIETY HARMFUL AND SO YOU KNOW, THEY'VE DONE THAT HERE AND THERE.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD.

AND I DON'T THINK THIS HAS TO BE AS TRICKY AS SOME OF THE POLITICAL PUNDITS MAKE IT OUT TO BE.

WE AS DEMOCRATS, BELIEVE PEOPLE LIVE FULFILLING LIVES AND BE FREE.

A BIG PART OF THAT IS NOT JUST FOCUSING ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, IT'S ACTUALLY TAKING ON THE LARGE CORPORATIONS THAT ARE THE ONES MORE OR LESS PREVENTING THAT.

LET'S KEEP IT SIMPLE.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF -- THERE HAS BEEN A TENDENCY, BECAUSE OF HOW STRONG THIS HAS BEEN FOR REPUBLICANS TO GIVE INTO A LOT OF THEIR ARGUMENTS.

WE NEED TO HAVE OUR OWN DEFINITION OF WHAT'S RIGHT HERE AND JUST STICK TO IT.

>> JO, THE ACLU CLAIMS THE OHIO CONSTITUTION OFFERS MORE PROTECTIONS, MORE EQUAL PROTECTIONS THAN THE U. S. CONSTITUTION.

DO YOU SEE THE OHIO SUPREME COURT AS IT IS CONSTITUTED NOW, YOU KNOW, RULING THIS BAN, TRANS BAN FOR MINORS ILLEGAL?

>> LET'S JUST PUT IT THIS WAY.

REPUBLICANS DOMINATE THE OHIO SUPREME COURT NOW.

THE PEOPLE ON THE OHIO SUPREME COURT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE JUSTICE, HAVE BEEN CONSERVATIVE.

SO I DON'T WANT TO SAY WHAT THE COURT WOULD DO, BUT THAT'S THE MAKEUP OF THE COURT.

BUT THE OTHER THING YOU HAVE TO REALIZE IS IN 2023, OHIOANS, 57% OF VOTERS, PASSED THAT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AMENDMENT THAT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S WHAT THE ACLU IS SAYING, HEY, LOOK AT THIS.

THIS PROTECTS TRANSGENDER RIGHTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE MIGHT BE SOME WAY TO HANG THE HAT ON THERE.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON THE COURT.

>> WE SHALL SEE.

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

MORGAN HARPER, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> WISHING EVERYBODY A HAPPY JUNETEENTH WEEKEND.

A LOT OF EVENTS GOING ON AROUND TOWN AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE PEOPLE OUT AT THOSE.

>> STAY COOL.

>> THIS WEEK, HBO CAME OUT WITH A NEARLY TWO HOUR LONG SPECIAL ABOUT OSU AND DR. STRAUSS AND ALSO THIS WEEK, JUDGE MIKE WATSON CALLED THE PARTIES BACK IN, BECAUSE OSU LOST IN THEIR EFFORTS OF THE SIXTH CIRCUIT TO GET STOPS.

AT THE END OF THE THING, THEY PUT UP THE MONEY THAT PENN STATE PAID OUT, MICHIGAN STATE PAID OUT VERSUS WHAT OHIO STATE PAID OUT.

OHIO STATE IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT MORE.

HOW MUCH IS PART OF WHAT THE JUDGE WILL FIGURE OUT.

>> JULIE.

>> I WAS JUST WANTING TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE HB6 SCANDAL IS NOT OVER AND THERE'S ACTUALLY, WE'RE IN THE MIST OF A THREE- WEEK TRIAL AT THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF OHIO.

NEXT MONDAY, THE FORMER CEO HAS BEEN COMPELLED TO TESTIFY AFTER PLEADING THE FIFTH, OR GET OUT OF IT, AND THAT WILL BE ON MONDAY, STEVE STRAW, WE'LL TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT HE KNEW WHEN.

SO THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> AND JO.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, WHO OVERSEES THE UNCLAIMED FUNDS, THEY SAID THEY SAW THE CLAIMS, THE PEOPLE WANT TO CLAIM THEM.

THAT SKYROCKETED AFTER THEY INTRODUCED THIS IDEA OF USING THOSE FUNDS FOR SPORTS STADIUMS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OHIOANS OUT THERE WHO HAVE UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

SOME OF THEM ARE HARD TO GET.

DEPENDING ON THE PAPERWORK YOU NEED.

PEOPLE SHOULD GO LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF THEY HAVE MONEY AND GET IT BEFORE IT GETS TAKEN.

>> THE PRO SPORTS OWNERS SAY OHIO HAS THE MOST MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS PER CAPITA OF ANY STATE.

COLORADO MAY HAVE A CASE THERE.

I LOOKED UP HOW MANY CHAMPIONSHIPS PER CAPITA OHIO HAS.

THEY ARE NOT NUMBER ONE.

THAT IS WISCONSIN, THANKS TO THE GREEN BAY PACKERS.

OHIO DOESN'T DO TOO BAD, BUT MOST OF OUR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OHIO WERE WON LIKE IN THE 1940s AND 1950s.

SO, THERE YOU GO.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

CHECK US OUT ONLINE.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND WATCH US ON OUR WEBSITE, YOUTUBE, AND THE PBS APP.

FOR THE PANEL, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.