The State of Ohio is a weekly news program spotlighting the latest happenings at the Statehouse, in the Governor’s office, at the Ohio Supreme Court and throughout the Buckeye State. Award-winning host Karen Kasler presents viewers with unique analysis and thoughtful perspective on important issues of statewide interest through interviews with political leaders, newsmakers, experts and Ohio citizens. The State of Ohio is the only TV show to bring to Ohioans the latest news about taxes, voting, education and other critical matters from where it all happens -- Capitol Square.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Topics: Politics, Economy, Other
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The measure to repeal Ohio’s new crackdown on payday lenders isn’t even on the ballot yet, and the battle over it has already begun. Activist Bill Faith and other supporters of the crackdown say the industry isn’t being honest in its ballot issue. But Kim Norris, the spokeswoman for the ballot issue's supporters, says the lenders are confident the attorney general's office will approve the proposed ballot as it is written. Another issue likely headed for the fall ballot is the plan to require businesses with more than 25 employees to provide seven paid sick days a year. Gov. Ted Strickland is hoping the two sides will come to a compromise.

Voters will decide on the $1.57 billion jobs package, and the governor’s veto of a ban on state funding for research into human cloning will stand. Sen. Steve Buehrer of Delta near Cincinnati says the ban’s supporters don’t have the three-fifth super majority needed to override Gov. Strickland’s no vote.

Regionalism is a concept that’s been around for many years, and it now getting a new look from supporters who say a regional strategy of cooperation will boost the sagging economy, and will end expensive struggles between communities over business relocations. But there are some who have concerns that regionalism can marginalize certain groups, especially minority communities. And there’s also some evidence from areas that have regionalized across the country that it cost people their jobs but didn’t money. Talking about the issue is William Currin - the mayor of Hudson and the chairman of the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association, John Mahoney - the deputy director of the Ohio Municipal League, and Professor john a. powell is the executive director of the Kirwin Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University.

We close with a little history lesson on the six women elected to the Statehouse two years after women got the right to vote. They’re being honored with the new Ladies Gallery in the southeast passageway of the Statehouse. Joann Davidson, the first woman elected as the Speaker of the Ohio House, Nancy Hollister, who was Ohio’s first woman governor for 12 days in 1999, were both on hand for the opening ceremony.

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