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, August 28, 2009

Topics: Politics
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Just as his trial was to begin, a man who had been a top aide to former Attorney General Marc Dann agreed to a plea deal on theft in office and other charges. 51 year old Anthony Gutierrez pleaded guilty to using state resources to operate his private construction business in Youngstown, wrongly accepting money and gifts, and failing to properly pay into workers compensation fund. Franklin County prosecutor Ron O’Brien says Gutierrez will also give authorities crucial information, but O’Brien won’t say if that will be used in an investigation against Dann. The secretary of state says it's just wouldn’t work for the state to set a maximum wait time at the polls during elections. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus is questioning the removal of Sen. Ray Miller (D-Columbus) from two key legislative panels. No holiday for President Barack Obama on Labor Day – he’ll spend it in Cincinnati, trying to drum up support for his health care overhaul.

School is just starting for most Ohio students, but their schools and districts got their report cards this week. An overwhelming number of districts received what amounts to a B or better on the annual report card issued by the Ohio Department of Education. But for the first time since the 2004-2005 school year, a district is in academic emergency – the Youngstown City Schools. And the graduation rate has dropped, and 16 charter school sponsors got letters ordering those schools to close at the end of the year. State school superintendent Deborah Delisle goes over the report card’s findings.

In the last few weeks, there are some things that are being taken as bright signs in this tough economy. But foreclosures are still increasing in Ohio, and the state’s unemployment rate still ticked up to 11.2 percent, and Ohio led in the nation in the number of manufacturing jobs lost last year. Should Ohio try to regain its status as a manufacturing giant, or should the state be chasing jobs in other industries and sectors? Three well-known economists share their thoughts: Bill Lafayette, the Vice President of Economic Analysis at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce; Richard Vedder, distinguished professor of economics at Ohio University and a visiting scholar with the American Enterprise Institute; and Ned Hill, dean of Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and vice president of economic development at CSU, and a fellow with the Brookings Institution.

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