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, July 24, 2009

Topics: Politics
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For the fifth time in two decades, voters may have another chance to decide on expanding gambling in Ohio. The Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee can take its casino plan to the ballot, but the Secretary of State has separately launched an investigation into the committee's signature-gathering effort. Meanwhile, the plan to bring slot machines to Ohio’s seven horse-racing tracks to balance the newly-signed state budget is pushing forward. But a conservative group called LetOhioVote.org is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to order the slots plan go to the ballot.

The budget is in place and the major departments such as education, prisons and Medicaid have learned what they’ll draw. And now smaller state agencies are finding out how much of a hit they’ve taken in their funding.

A battle is shaping up in the Ohio Republican Party for next year’s contest for Attorney General, pitting former U.S. Senator and ex-Lt. Gov Mike DeWine, a well-known veteran of statewide offices, against Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost, who’s positioning himself as the conservative in the race.

Ohio’s third execution of the year went forward this week, just seven days after the state’s second execution of 2009. 36-year-old Marvallous Keene died by lethal injection on Tuesday at the maximum security prison in Lucasville for a three-day killing spree that began on Christmas Eve 1992.

As we head to the fall ballot and move closer to next year’s big contests for governor and U.S. Senate, many observers are watching the polls to see who’s leading, who’s falling behind, who’s catching up and who might drop out. But polls typically only measure respondents’ attitudes on candidates and issues. Ohio Right To Life says its survey will find out how Ohioans feel about cultural issues such as religion, abortion, morality, and ethics. But critics say this isn’t much of a poll, because of Right To Life’s strong agenda and because the pollster’s results may not be reliable. Mike Gonadakis with Ohio Right to Life and Brian Rothenberg of Progress Ohio discuss the “Ohio Cultural Index”.

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