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, March 13, 2009

Topics: Economy, Politics
Short URL  Share Leave a Comment

Just months after Ohioans overwhelmingly rejected a fourth attempt to expand casino gambling in the last two decades, another casino plan may be headed for the ballot, even as state lawmakers are considering a competing plan to put slot machines at racetracks. Ohio had the nation's 10th highest foreclosure rate last month, while the number of households nationwide threatened with losing their homes was up 30 percent from a year ago. But an aircraft maintenance company says it will create 430 jobs at the air cargo facility being left vacant by delivery company DHL’s plans to ship out of Wilmington, and the state will provide $5.2 million to the company to complement nearly $6 million in private money.

In this digital society, cameras are becoming commonplace, and one state lawmaker wants to take advantage of that. Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) is proposing a system to take pictures of license plates to catch drivers without insurance. And the ODOT budget also includes a proposal to allow cameras in highway construction work zones to catch speeders. But these raise some serious concerns for civil rights activists, such as Jeff Gamso, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

As the economy limps, stumbles and falls, there are some enterprises that are doing well – those that prey on people who are suffering. In 2008, the Ohio Attorney General's office received more than 25,000 consumer complaints, and many involved new twists on classic schemes that try to separate people who need money from the little they have. Attorney General Richard Cordray and Joan Coughlin of the Better Business Bureau of central Ohio talk about the soaring numbers of scams.

Leave a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to ideastream's discussion rules and terms of use. Name:

Email:

Comment:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

Send questions and comments to kkasler@statehousenews.org.