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, September 26, 2008

Topics: Environment, Politics, Other
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The Secretary of State says the payday lenders have fallen 56,000 signatures short in their bid to put onto the ballot the state law that cracked down on the industry. The quick loan industry now has 10 days to make up the difference. Meanwhile, the numbers aren’t looking good for the other ballot issue still not certified, the one that would open the door to expanded gambling through a huge casino in Wilmington. Elections officials say nearly 5,000 signatures collected in support of the casino issue are invalid because they were fraudulently collected. And big money is coming into the casino issue from both sides. A few weeks ago on this program we told you about how experts at the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation try to weed out big marijuana operations in Ohio, and this week they nailed one – more than 5,000 plants worth more than $5 million.

For most of the state, the power is back on, trees have been chainsawed, and torn siding, sheared off shingles and other roof rips has been taped back together after last week’s windstorms that left nearly two million Ohio households without electricity. And now the state’s emergency management experts, including safety director Henry Guzman and EMA executive director Nancy Dragani, are reviewing what happened. And they’re warning Ohioans to examine how ready they are for the unexpected.

For many political junkies, blogs are supplementing or even replacing talk radio and the op/ed page as the source for information backing up one’s political perspective. Here to talk about the impact and influence of bloggers in Ohio are Eric Vessels from Plunderbund.com, a progressive blog, and Daniel Jack Williamson from the more conservative BuckeyeRINO.wordpress.com.

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