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, October 16, 2009

Topics: Economy, Politics
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Ohio had the nation's 13th highest foreclosure rate during the third quarter, with one out of every 171 households receiving a foreclosure filing. And Ohio’s jobless rate for September is out – it’s dropped from 10.8% to 10.2%, but the state says more people are not being counted as unemployed because they’re saying they’ve stopped looking for work out of frustration. But the $787 billion federal economic stimulus plan has saved or created 13,144 jobs in Ohio, according to the state. The state auditor has found more than $3.7 million in questionable spending by 10 state agencies. State prisons officials say 41 employees will be laid off and 118 vacant positions will be eliminated by the end of February. And as those cuts were announced, a political active union launched a cable TV and internet ad urging people to contact lawmakers to keep criminals locked up.

Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to roll back the final 4.2% of the 21% income tax cut could bring some political repercussions for both Strickland and his Republican challenger, John Kasich. Two longtime strategists talk about that possible fallout. Mark Weaver is a Republican consultant and a former Ohio assistant attorney general under Betty Montgomery, and has worked with many issue and candidate campaigns, including Mike DeWine’s campaign for attorney general next year. As the former head of the Ohio Democratic Party, Jim Ruvolo worked on statewide campaigns for John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, and he’s now concentrating on northwest Ohio, where he lives. He participates through the facilities of WBGU in Bowling Green.

Both sides in the debate over whether voters should allow a group of developers to build one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo met for a head-to-head debate in Columbus this week – with credibility as the jackpot. We feature highlights from the debate at the Columbus Metropolitan Club, moderated by our own Bill Cohen.

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