>> OHIO'S ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS EXPAND.

>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD. "

I'M AMY JURAVICH HOST OF "ALL SITES" ON 89.

7 NEWS.

I'M SITTING IN FOR MIKE THOMPSON.

A WEEKEND FULL OF ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS IS ON TAP IN COLUMBUS AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE RALLIES RANGE FROM SUPPORTING LGBTQ RIGHTS, COUNTERING THE WASHINGTON MILITARY PARADE, AND OPPOSING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

THE PROTESTS COME AS SOME DEMONSTRATIONS BECAME VIOLENT IN LOS ANGELES WHICH PROMPTED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO MOBILIZE THE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS AND DEPLOY MARINES.

SO FAR THIS YEAR THE MANY PROTESTS IN COLUMBUS HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL.

ONE THIS WEEKEND ENDED WITH LINE DANCING AT COLUMBUS CITY HALL PLAZA.

SO TERRY, LET'S START WITH YOU.

CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR OF L. A., THEY SAY THEY DID NOT ASK FOR HELP FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WAS THAT AN OVERREACH?

>> WELL, THE LEGAL ISSUE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY THE COURTS AND HOW MUCH IS PROTECTING FEDERAL PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL.

THE HISTORY IN AMERICA, FEDERAL TROOPS GOING INTO STATES, IS NOT SOMETHING NEW BECAUSE IN 1957 EISENHOWER SENT TROOPS IN TO FIGHT THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR THERE, LED THE NATIONAL GUARD TRYING TO KEEP BLACK STUDENTS OUT OF CENTRAL LITTLE ROCK AND JFK PUT 30,000 TROOPS ON THE MISSISSIPPI IN '62.

IN '63, GEORGE WALLACE HAD TO FACE THE MILITARY SAYING GET OUT OF THE DOORWAY.

SO THERE'S A HISTORY OF IT.

BUT THE QUESTION IS WHAT'S RIGHT, HOW MUCH IS PROTECTING FEDERAL PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL VERSUS LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE MORE YOU TRY AND DO LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH MILITARY IS WHEN YOU GET INTO MORE LEGAL PROBLEMS.

>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, THOUGH, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT --WELL, HE WANTS STATES TO HANDLE THINGS LOCALLY.

WHY SEND THE TROOPS IF THEY WEREN'T ASKING FOR IT, THEY WANT THE STATES TO HANDLE THINGS ON THEIR OWN?

>> IN ALL HONESTY HE SAID HE GOOFED IN SEATTLE, PORTLAND, OREGON, AND MINNEAPOLIS WHEN THEY HAD PROBLEMS, FIRES, DAMAGE TO FEDERAL FACILITIES, OTHER KIND OF THINGS.

>> YOU'RE SAYING DONALD TRUMP AGREED THAT HE DID SOMETHING WRONG?

>> HE'S SAYING HE MADE A MISTAKE.

>> REALLY?

>> IS THIS AN OVERREACH?

BOTH SIDES IN ALL HONESTY LOVE TO PLAY THE THEATER OF THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THAT'S POLITICS THESE DAYS.

PEOPLE WANT TO CREATE EVENTS, ATTRACTS MEDIA ATTENTION, THAT'S PART OF THE THE GAME RIGHT OR WRONG.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS WAS THEATER.

I MEAN --LOOK, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WAS EVEN AS MUCH VIOLENCE AS HAS BEEN PORTRAYED.

I MEAN, THE FACT IS HE FEDERALIZED THE NATIONAL GUARD IN THIS INSTANCE, TOOK OVER --TOOK IT OVER, TOOK OVER THE STATE, IT IS A --A NEW LEVEL OF TAKING OVER THE NATIONAL GUARD.

HERE IN OHIO, WE'RE VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUARD.

I HAPPEN TO BE FROM PORTAGE COUNTIES, AS OUR NEW DEMOCRATIC CHAIR IS.

AND I GREW UP WITH A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT SURVIVED AND WENT THROUGH THE KENT STATE ISSUE.

I THINK IT'S A SCARY THING WHEN YOU CAN JUST TAKE OVER THE NATIONAL GUARD.

IT DIDN'T WARRANT THAT AT THIS LEVEL OF PROTEST.

AND LOOK, WE'RE A NATION THAT IS BUILT ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND THE ABILITY TO DISAGREE.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS GONE BEYOND THAT LINE TO AUTHORITARIANISM.

>> NOW BRIAN, THERE'S NO KINGS PROTEST IN MARCH THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN ALONGSIDE PRIDE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND HERE IN COLUMBUS.

>> CORRECT.

>> MOST COLUMBUS EVENTS HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS COMBO OF NO KINGS WITH PRIDE EVENTS, DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE PEACEFUL THIS WEEKEND?

>> I'M HOPEFUL IT WILL BE PEACEFUL.

YOU NEVER KNOW IF SOMEBODY'S GOING TO AGITATE OR CAUSE AN ISSUE AT ANY OF THESE.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE HAD ONE THAT ENDED IN LINE DANCING AND DEPENDING ON HOW OFFENDED ARE YOU BY LINE DANCING, I SUPPOSE THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE SENT THE NATIONAL GUARD IN OVER THAT OR PEOPLE THAT CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO BETTER LINE DANCE.

THE ISSUE HERE IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE LEVEL THAT YOU DON'T LET LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEAL WITH THEIR OWN ISSUES?

AND I THINK GOVERNOR DeWINE WOULD TELL YOU WE'VE GOT A HANDLE ON IT.

WORKING WITH THE CITIES, WORKING WITH THE STATE, WE DON'T NEED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COME IN AND PLAY POLITICS LIKE THIS.

AND THE ARREST OF THE U. S. SENATOR WHO WAS --I'M A U. S. SENATOR, AND THEY TOOK HIM DOWN AND PUT HANDCUFFS ON HIM?

COME ON.

>> NOW JESSIE, THESE PROTESTS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AT THE OHIO STATE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO SOME OF THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

WE'VE SEEN PROTESTS.

HAVE YOU NOTICED AN INCREASE OF POLICE PRESENCE OVER THE YEARS AT THE OHIO STATE HOUSE WHEN IT COMES TO PROTESTS?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE PROTEST.

I THINK FOLKS WHO COVERED SENATE BILL BILL 5, THE ANTI-COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BILL IN THE JOHN KASICH ERA, THAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE LARGEST THAT HAS BEEN AT THE STATE HOUSE.

BUT I ALSO REMEMBER COVERING VARIOUS ABORTION RESTRICTION LAWS WHERE YOU COULD HEAR THEM FROM INSIDE THE CHAMBER.

I THINK IT REALLY DEPENDS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP.

LARGELY THEY'VE BEEN PEACEFUL AND UNEVENTFUL.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET THEIR POINTS ACROSS, SO WE'LL SEE.

>> AND TERRY, TO WHAT BRIAN WAS SAYING BEFORE, I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR DeWINE WOULD SAY IF THE NATIONAL GUARD WAS SENT TO OHIO OR, YOU KNOW, MOBILIZED IN OHIO WITHOUT HIM ASKING?

>> FIRST QUESTION IS DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM OR NOT?

OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU SEE VIDEO ON TELEVISION OF CARS BURNING, FREEWAYS BLOCKED, OF THINGS, STONES, ROCKS -- >> AFTER FOOTBALL GAMES IN THE STATE, I DIDN'T SEE ANY FEDERAL NATIONAL GUARD -- >> DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.

BUT CLEARLY THERE'S A QUESTION OF IS THERE DAMAGE, IS THERE VIOLENCE.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS HAPPEN?

BUT I KNOW IN TALKING IN THE PAST TO RON O'BRIAN WHEN WE'VE HAD KU KLUX KLAN THINGS AT THE STATE HOUSE BACK A DECADE OR TWO OKAY, THE -- AGO, THE POLICE GENERALLY TRY TO KEEP THE SIDES SEPARATED BECAUSE BOTH SIDES HAVE THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THEY DON'T AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS -- >> TRUE, BUT IT WAS ALSO DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE STATE HOUSE AND THE PLAN WAS ACTUALLY --KLAN WAS ACTUALLY BEHIND A FENCE.

I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS WORKING IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, THE ONLY EXIT WAS TO BE BROUGHT IN THROUGH THE KLAN WHICH WAS A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> WELL, LET'S HOPE THAT THE PROTESTS THIS WEEKEND DO REMAIN PEACEFUL AS THINGS HAVE BEEN FOR COLUMBUS LATELY.

> >> NEXT TOPIC IS A PROPOSED TAX CUTS FOR UPPER INCOME OHIOANS, TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THE FINAL ACT OF THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS.

THE OHIO SENATE THIS WEEK APPROVED ITS VERSION OF THE BUDGET.

IT INCLUDES A PLAN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OHIO'S INCOME TAX BRACKETS TO ONE, CREATING A FLAT TAX.

THAT MEANS EVERY OHIO AN WILL PAY THE SAME PERCENTAGE ON THEIR INCOME TAXES REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVEL.

THOSE WHO WOULD BENEFIT DIRECTLY ARE OHIOANS WHO EARN MORE THAN $100,000 A YEAR.

THEY WILL SEE ABOUT A 20% DECREASE IN THEIR INCOME TAXES.

IT WILL COST THE STATE AT LEAST $1 BILLION.

AND THE SENATE HAS HAD TO CUT THE BUDGET IN OTHER AREAS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST REVENUE.

SO THIS IDEA OF THE FLAT TAX, IT'S GOING TO COST THE STATE A LOT OF MONEY.

AND REPORTER SARAH DONALDSON WAS ON MY SHOW A FEW DAYS AGO AND SAID THAT ONE LAWMAKER TOLD HER THAT THEY ARE LOOKING UNDER COUCH CUSHIONS FOR PENNIES TO MAKE UP THE MONEY THAT WILL BE MISS FIGURE THEY FLATTEN THE TAX - -MISSING IF THEY FLATTEN THE TAX.

HOW ARE SENATORS SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS?

>> IT'S REALLY PART OF THIS LONG-TERM GOAL OF PARTICULARLY OHIO SENATE, BUT REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE GENERALLY TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TAX BRACKETS AND TO REDUCE THE INCOME TAX.

AND IT'S BEEN PARTICULARLY POPULAR RECENTLY BECAUSE OHIO GOVERNOR CANDIDATE VIVEK RAMASWAMY HAS TALKED ABOUT ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX ENTIRELY.

NOW OHIO DOES RELY ON THE INCOME TAX FOR A CERTAIN PART OF ITS GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET.

SO IF YOU'RE REDUCING IT, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO GET MONEY FROM OTHER PLACES.

PROPONENTS OF THESE KINDS OF IDEAS THEY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GENERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP PAY FOR THE TAX.

BUT YOU KNOW, OPPONENTS ARE SAYING WE'RE CUTTING PROGRAMS THAT OHIOANS ARE RELYING ON NOW.

>> YEAH.

TERRY, THERE'S A LIST OF REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE UP THE REVENUE FOR THE FLAT TAX.

>> THERE'S A MISNOMER THAT JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE WANTED A CERTAIN A MINUTE OF MONEY AND DIDN'T GET IT'S A REDUCTION.

IN ACTUAL FACT, IF DEAL WITH FACTS, THERE'S INCREASES LIKE IN K- THROUGH-12 EDUCATION OVER WHAT THEY GOT PREVIOUSLY.

SO LIST SOME MISLEADING THINGS.

AND ALSO ON THE FLAT TAX, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANDY GINTHER IN COLUMBUS COMPLAIN OR OTHER DEMOCRAT MAYOR, BUT THE FLAT TAXES IN COLUMBUS, IT'S 2.

5%, FIRST DOLLAR AND EVERY DOLLAR.

AND ACTUALLY THE TRUTH IS IF YOU'RE A COUPLE THAT MAY --A POLICE OFFICER AND TEACHER MAKING $150,000 A YEAR BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY'RE GOING TO PAY THREE TIMES AS MUCH IN STATE INCOME TAX AS SOMEBODY MAKING $50,000.

SO A FLAT INCOME TAX IS NOT NECESSARILY THAT ONEROUS AND BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH THAT OHIO'S HAD OVER THE PAST DECADE OR TWO AS THEY'VE TRIMMED THE INCOME TAX, THEY STILL HAD THE REVENUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES IN OHIO AND HAVE A HEALTHY RAINY DAY FUNDS OF $3.

7 BILLION.

>> BRIAN'S GOING -- >> WE'VE HEARD FROM TERRY, A LITTLE UPSET ABOUT THIS.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT A -- WHAT A FLAT TAX IS.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT A FLAT TAX IS.

A FLAT TAX WOULD MEAN IF YOU MAKE OVER --IN THIS CASE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE BRACKETS ARE --IF YOU MAKE OVER $100,000 YOU'LL GET ABOUT A 20% CUT IN YOUR TAXES.

PEOPLE BELOW $100,000 WILL STAY ABOUT THE SAME BECAUSE THEY'RE AT THAT LEVEL.

NOW WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT MEANS IF I MAKE $1 MILLION I GET MORE OF THE ACTUAL TAX CUT AS A PERCENTAGE OF MY INCOME THAN SOMEBODY MAKING BELOW $100,000 OR A FAMILY.

WHAT ALSO IT THIS MEAN?

AS YOU CUT THINGS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE BUDGET LIKE THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE PAID MORE BY CONSUMERS.

WE'RE SAYING WE'RE MAKING IT UP THROUGH CONSUMERS.

SO WHAT THIS REALLY IS IS DUMPING THE COST OF GOVERNMENT MORE AND MORE ON POORER PEOPLE AS A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR INCOME AND GIVING A BREAK TO THE MILLIONAIRES.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

>> THE SENATE FINANCE CHAIR JERRY SERINO SAID THAT THIS WILL BE GOOD FOR ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO OHIO.

HE ALSO SAID THAT DEMOCRATS ARE DISPARAGING WEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSPEOPLE WHO PAY THE MOST TAXES ANYWAY.

>> I'M NOT DISPARAGING ANYONE.

I HOPE EVERYBODY'S WEALTHY, BUT PAY YOUR FAIR SHARE, AND STOP DUMPING IT ON POOR PEOPLE AND TAKING THEIR MEDICAID AWAY -- >> IF YOU'RE A MILLIONAIRE YOU'RE PAYING TEN TIMES AS MUCH AS SOMEONE MAKING $100,000 A YEAR.

>> A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR INCOME -- >> WHY DOES IT SAY A HIGHER PERCENTAGE YOU PAY MORE MONEY?

WHERE IS THAT CONSERVATIVE CARVED?

IN THE CONSTITUTION?

>> YOU WANT THAT OR A FLAT TAX THAT'S -- >> I'M NOT SAYING THAT -- >> IF YOU GET RID OF THE INCOME TAX AND PROPERTY TAX, THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BUT PURCHASE.

AND AS A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR INCOME, IT'S GOING TO COST MORE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE MONEY.

>> WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS IN CONFERENCE KMEEFR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?

--COMMITTEE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?

DOES THE HOUSE WANTS A FLAT TAX?

>> WE SPOKE WITH MATT HUFFMAN THIS WEEK, AND HE'S GENERALLY FAVORABLE TOWARD CUTTING INCOME TAXES.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THIS ENDS UP IN THE FINAL VERSION.

I WILL SAY GOVERNOR DeWINE WHEN HE INTRODUCED HIS BUDGET DIDN'T INCLUDE ONE OF THESE CUTS AND SAID THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> YEAH.

SO TERRY, WE'LL GO BACK TO YOU FOR A SECOND WITH THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

CAN THE SENATE AND HOUSE AGREE ON THIS WITH THE WAY TO MAKE UP THE REVENUE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET?

WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

>> THEY HAVE FIGURED IT OUT, AND THE BUDGET'S GOING TO BE BALANCED.

IT'S STILL GOING TO BE $3.

7 BILLION IN THE RAINY DAY FUND.

AND YES, SOME THINGS CAN HAPPEN ON MEDICAID BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW YET WHAT CONGRESS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL DO THERE OR SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN IN THE ECONOMY.

BUT OHIO'S GOING TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, AND PEOPLE LIKE K-THROUGH K-THROUGH-12 EDUCATION IS GETTING THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO K-THROUGH-12 EDUCATION TOO MUCH.

BUT THEY ARE HAVING MORE FUNDING IN THE SENATE BUDGET THAN THE HOUSE.

BUT IT'S AT 2021 LEVELS WHICH --YOU KNOW IT DOES COST MORE TO EDUCATES A CHILD.

THERE --EDUCATE A CHILD.

THERE HAS BEEN INFLATION.

>> YOU HAVE SHRINKING ENROLLMENT IN K THROUGH 12 THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT.

THERE'S ISSUES IN THE BUDGET, AND SOME DISTRICTS ARE GROWING, SOME AREN'T.

SOME ARE SHRINKING.

THERE'S A LOT OF -- >> WE CAN TALK ABOUT PHANTOM STUDENTS IN CHARTER SCHOOLS WHERE IF A STUDENT GOES TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ONE DAY AND GOES BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOL THE MONEY DOESN'T GO BACK.

WE COULD TALK -- IT'S INTERESTING, YOU BRAG ABOUT THE RAINY DAY FUND AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT I'VE HEARD YOU AND REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT MAKE SURE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONLY HAVE A SMALL CENTAGE OF THEIR RAINY DAY FUNDS.

>> OUT OF $6 MILLION, A SMALL PERCENTAGE, MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE COLUMBUS SCHOOLS -- >> YOU DO BELIEVE PERCENTAGES SHOULD BE DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO TAXES?

>> YOU CAN'T MEDICARE APPLES AND INJURY ANIMALS.

THE SCHOOLS GOT $100 MILLION MORE -- >> I SEE THIS -- >> WHEN THEY HAD $438 MILLION CASH ON HAND, PLUS TENS OF MILLIONS OF UNSPENT COVID MONEY.

AND THEY GOT ANOTHER $100 MILLION FROM THE TAXPAYERS THINKING TO TELL THE TAXPAYERS THEY NEEDED MORE MONEY.

>> TAXPAYERS ARE WRONG?

>> WE'RE NOT GOING LITIGATE COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

> >> THE OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS A NEW LEADER.

PARTY LEADERS THIS WEEK NAMED FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR KATHLEEN CLYDE AS PARTIES PARTIES -- PARTY CHAIR.

SHE REPLACES LIZ WALTERS WHO LEFT FOR A JOB IN WASHINGTON.

CLYDE IS KNOWN IN DEMOCRATIC CIRCLES.

SHE RAN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE FIVE YEARS AGO BUT LOST.

SHE HAD THE BACKING OF A VERY IMPORTANT OHIO DEMOCRAT, FORMER SENATOR SHERROD BROWN.

SHE SAYS HER PRIORITIES ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST TRUMP POLICIES, RECRUITING CANDIDATES AND RAISING MONEY.

BUT IT WON'T BE AN EASY JOB.

OHIO HAS JUST ONE STATEWIDE ELECTED DEMOCRAT, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JENNIFER BRUNNER.

SO BRIAN, KATHLEEN CLYDE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

OHIO DEEMS DO NOT HAVE A DEEP --DEMOCRATS DO NOT HAVE A DEEP BENCH.

>> I THINK THERE IS A BENCH IN OHIO.

I CAN TELL YOU, AMY ACTS ACTON WILL REPORT OVER $1 MILLION.

DRAWING CROWDS ALL OVER.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT.

I THINK THAT PART OF IT IS SHERROD HAS GOT TO MAKE A DECISION SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON THE TICKET AND PEOPLE WITH START RAISING MONEY.

THERE'S A YEAR AND A HALF.

I THINK THE NEW PARTY CHAIRMAN IS GOING TO HAVE TO --THAT'S HER FIRST TASK AND MOST DIFFICULT TASK.

>> SEVERE WAITING ON SHERROD BROWN -- >> UNFORTUNATELY.

AND I HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, I THINK SHERROD --AND SHERROD'S FOLKS PROBABLY KNOW THIS, BUT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER THE DECISION HAS TO BE MADE.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE A SLEW OF DECLARED CANDIDATES FOR ALL OF THE LOWER LEVEL ATTORNEY GENERAL, AUDITOR -- >> YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT IS EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR EVEN WITHIN HIS OWN PARTIES IN SOME ASPECTS OF IT.

YOU KNOW, HE'S APPEALING TO MAGA, BUT MAGA IS PART OF A PRIMARY VOTE, NOT PARTS OF A GENERAL ELECTION VOTE.

AND THEY'RE ALL OPEN SEATS.

THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS AND I THINK SHE COMES IN AT AN EXCELLENT TIME.

IF YOU SEE THE ENERGY AND PEOPLE TURNING OUT FOR PEOPLE LIKE AMY ACTON YOU KNOW THERE'S OPPORTUNITY HERE.

>> I'M GOING TO PARTLY AGREE WITH BRIAN THAT SHERROD BROWN'S DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE DEMOCRAT PARTY BY WAITING AND WAITING TO SAY WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO BECAUSE THEY'RE MISSING A LOT AND ALSO KATHLEEN CLYDE -- SHE COULDN'T EVEN GET ELECTED TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN PORTAGE COUNTIES WITH KENT STATE UNIVERSITY THERE AND A LOT OF LIBERAL LEANING.

KATHLEEN CLYDE IS NOT ONLY VERY LIBERAL BUT DOES NOT HAVE A STELLAR RECORD OF WINNING.

AND IF YOU'RE A UNIVERSITY OR AN NFL TEAM AND YOU WANT TO GET OVER YOUR LOSING DAYS, YOU DON'T HIRE A LOSING COACH.

YOU HIRE SOMEBODY THAT'S GOT EXPERIENCE WINNING AND BASEBALL SUCCESSFUL.

>> SHE'S ONE --AND BEING SUCCESSFUL.

>> THESE ONE OF A HISTORY OF THOSE IN THE STATE WHO WENT ON TO WIN OTHER OFFICES.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT DID.

>> JESSIE, WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE HOUSE?

WILL SHERROD BROWN RUN FOR U. S. SENATE AGAIN OR RUN FOR GOVERNOR?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

I WILL SAY I THINK MOST DEMOCRATS WOULD WANT HIM TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE THAT'S CONSIDERED THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

YOU HAVE A PRETTY --LOTS OF ATTENTION ON THE RACE WITH VIVEK RAMASWAMY, REALLY KIND OF SNATCHING UP THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION ON THAT SIDE VERSUS IF YOU RUN FOR U. S. SENATE YOU HAVE TO FUND RISE FOR THIS CYCLE AND THEN THE NEXT CYCLE IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S JUST HARDER TO DO.

BUT SENATOR SHERROD BROWN, FORMER SENATOR SHERROD BROWN, HAS MUCH MORE EXPERIENCE AS A LEGISLATORS THAN IT'S BEEN --LEGISLATORS THAN IT'S BEEN AS HE WAS AN EXECUTIVE.

>> THE THIRD OPTION RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, U. S. SENATE, HE COULD STAY OUT OF IT.

>> THAT IS A POSSIBLE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON FROM THIS AND HE DOES DO THAT, HAS TO HAPPEN SOON.

I WILL SAY THAT AMY ACTON, I DON'T KNOW WHEN'S FOLLOWING HER ON FACEBOOK, BUT THE CROWD SIZE THAT'S SIZES SHE'S GETTING IN RURAL, URBAN COUNTIES, IT'S REALLY REMINISCENT OF WHAT I SAW EARLY ON FROM GRETCHEN WHITMER IN MICHIGAN.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE AMY ACTON CAN GO UP AGAINST A VIVEK RAMASWAMI?

>> I THINK SHE DEFINITELY COULD.

THE ISSUE IS GOING TO BE MONEY.

I ALSO THINK THAT WE'VE ALL GOT TO REMEMBER THIS ELECTION'S GOING TO BE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

>> AND TERRY, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE DEMOCRATS FOR ALL THESE OTHER POSITIONS?

I MENTIONED ATTORNEY GENERAL, JAUDSTOR, SECRETARY OF STATE -- JAUDSTOR, SECRETARY OF STATE, THE ONLY STATEWIDE OFFICE DEMOCRATS HAVE IS SUPREME COURTS JUSTICE JENNIFER BRUNNER.

WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK?

>> CONTRARY TO BRIAN'S ROSE- COLORED GLASSES, THE DEMOCRAT BENCH IS PRETTY THIN.

AND ALSO THEY'VE HAD A PROBLEM, THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE LIKE JENNIFER BRUNNER IN THE PAST WHO WANTED TO RUN STATEWIDE LIKE FOR SENATE, AND SHERROD BROWN PUT HIS THUMB DOWN AND SAID NO, IT SHOULD BE LEE FISHER.

SO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD -- MADE SOME BAD PICKS IN TERMS LIKE DAN WHALEY, ED FITZGERALD, CANDIDATES THAT SHERROD BROWN PUSHED AND SAID OUGHT TO BE THE ONES.

THEN THEY DIDN'T TURN OUT VERY WELL.

SO THE DEMOCRATS STILL GOT TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT KATHLEEN CLYDE REALLY SOLVES ANYTHING OR MAKES THE CHANGE THAT'S NEEDED.

>> I HAVE MY FAITH IN PORTAGE COUNTY.

>> SAID NO TO HER -- >> BASED ON WHERE SHE'S FROM.

ALL RIGHT.

I GET THAT.

ALL RIGHT.

> >> OUR FINAL TOPIC, THIS IS PRIDE WEEKEND IN COLUMBUS.

LOTS OF ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED INCLUDING THE ANNUAL PARADE.

LGBTQ RIGHTS CONTINUE TO BE A VOLATILE TOPIC AT THE OHIO STATE HOUSE.

THERE ARE MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED BY REPUBLICANS RECENTLY, INCLUDING A BUDGET -- BUDGET PROVISION THAT WOULD REQUIRE OHIOANS TO HAVE THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX LIST ODDS THEIR DRIVER'S LIST.

ANOTHER WOULD END STATE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES.

ANOTHER WOULD IDENTIFY THE WEEKS BETWEEN MOTHER'S DAY AND FATHER'S DAY AS NATURAL FAMILY MONTH.

DEMOCRATS HAVE SPONSORED BILLS, AS WELL.

ONE WOULD BAN CONVERSION THERAPY FOR MINORS, AND ONE WOULD MAKE LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION ILLEGAL.

SO BRIAN, WE'LL TURN BACK TO YOU FOR THIS ONE.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY THEY'RE REACTING TO NATIONAL CONVERSATION RELATED TO REMOVING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION LANGUAGE.

THEY SAY THEY'RE RESPONDING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHO WANT THESE TYPES OF MEASURES WITH THESE LGBTQ-RELATED BILLS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND PROJECT 2025 MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ORIENTATION FROM THE LAW AND ONLY REFER TO PEOPLE IN A MALE AND FEMALE STANDPOINTS.

SO ALL OF THESE BILLS ARE WORTH DOING THAT.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE CLICKS IS -- >> WHICH IS THAT?

>> HE COULD HAVE DONE THAT ANY OTHER MONTH BUT IS INTENTIONALLY DOING IT FOR PRIDE MONTH.

THERE'S ONE BILL THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT.

THERE'S A VERY GOOD LANGUAGE IN IT ON THE HATE BILL.

IT APPLIES TO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE NO HATE DISCRIMINATION LAW IN CODE.

BUT IT WAS --AND I'VE TALKED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO'S A DEMOCRAT WHO'S SPONSORED IT WITH REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS, A REPUBLICAN, UP IN TOLEDO.

BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T USE THE WORDS SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN IT.

IT RELIES ON A SUPREME COURT CASE FROM 2020, AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT CAN CHANGE.

AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE FALL TO USING THE LANGUAGE OF PROJECT 2025 LIKE GETTING RID OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, EVEN IF IT'S JUST TO GET THE BILL PASSED, WE'RE ACTUALLY PUTTING OURSELVES IN A PLACE TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN PEOPLE FROM THE HATE LAW.

>> NOW TERRY, THERE'S A LOT THERE.

BUT TO BRIAN'S POINT, SINGLING OUT NATURAL FAMILY MONTH TO BE BETWEEN MOTHER'S DAY AND FATHER'S DAY WHICH ALSO MAKES IT OVERLAP WITH PRIDE MONTH, IT DOES FEEL LIKE A DIG TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAMILIES THAT ARE NOT JUST A MAN AND A WOMAN AT THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT'S STILL IT?

>> I THINK THERE'S PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES WHO LOVE TO EXPLOIT THESE ISSUES TO FIRE UP THEIR BASE.

THE REALITY IS WE OUGHT TO FOCUS ON PRIDE WEEK IN COLUMBUS, THE WEEKEND THING IS GOING TO BE A BIG CELEBRATION.

LOTS OF PEOPLE.

MY SENSE IS A LOT OF THE CONSERVATIVES I KNOW, THEY'RE VERY MUCH BELIEVERS IN LIVE AND LET LIVE AND ARE INTO THIS.

YES, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DO THESE THINGS ON BOTH SIDES, BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE POLLING SHOWS MOST AMERICANS ARE MORE OF A LIVE AND LET LIVE KIND OF PHILOSOPHY, AND THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY IT OUGHT TO BE IN MY OPINION.

>> SO WHY SO MANY BILLS THEN?

THERE'S FIVE BILLS THAT ARE SEPARATE BILLS OR TUCKED INTO THE BUDGET ALL RELATED TO LGBTQ ISSUES.

LIKE WHY PUT THAT ALL IN THERE?

IF A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT - -DON'T WANT THIS LEGISLATED?

>> SOME OF THE ISSUES GET INTO THE QUESTIONS ON TRANSGENDER THAT IS STILL EVOLVING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT MEDICALLY OR NOT RIGHT, WHAT WORKS, WHAT STUDENT WORK.

THERE'S ALSO PEOPLE --DOESN'T WORK.

THERE'S ALSO PEOPLE SAY WE WANT TO MAKE ALL THESE THINGS HATES CRIMES.

BUT MY VIEW IS IF YOU'RE ATTACKING SOMEBODY, BEING VIOLENT TO SOMEBODY REGARDLESS OF GENDER, RACE, NATIONAL ORIN, OR WHATEVER --ORIGIN OR WHATEVER, PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE PROSECUTED AND PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY REGARDLESS.

>> JESSIE, SOME OF THESE -- I MENTIONED SOME ARE IN THE BUDGET.

SOME WERE SEPARATE BILLS.

ARE THEY --ARE SOME OF THESE ISSUES GETSING HEARINGS, ARE THEY GETTING SWEPT UP IN EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE THE BUDGET HAS SO COMPLICATED SUCH A HUGE BILL?

>> YEAH.

I THINK ON THESE ISSUES BUT ALSO A WHOLE SLEW OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THE BUDGET BECOMES JUST A CHRISTMAS TREE BILL WHERE EVERYONE KIND OF HANGS WHICHEVER ORNAMENTS THEY WANT.

BUT MAYBE IF YOU HAD HAD A SEPARATE HEARING, WOULDN'T BE POPULAR ENOUGH TO GET PASSED.

AND SO UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAPPENS THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THE BUDGET IS A BILL THAT REALLY HAS TO GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> AND THERE IS --THERE'S ANOTHER BILL WHERE IT SAYS STATES AGENCIES CANNOT FLY PRIDE FLAGS.

IS THERE A PRIDE FLAG AT THE STATE HOUSE?

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T DRIVEN BY RECENTLY.

>> I THINK AT ONE POINT THEY HAD ONE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE APPLYING TO LOCAL ENTITIES, AS WELL, WHICH THEN WE GET INTO OUR FAVORITE TOPIC OF HOME RULE WHICH WE ALWAYS --WE LIKE UNTIL WE DON'T LIKE.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER THAT WOULD RESTRICT ACCESS TO LGBTQ-RELATED BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY.

I DON'T KNOW, DO YOU KNOW IF THAT'S A SEPARATE BILL OR IF IT'S IN THE BUDGET?

I DON'T REMEMBER.

>> AT ONE POINT IT WAS IN THE BUDGET.

>> OKAY.

> >> WELL, IT IS TIME FOR OUR FINAL "OFF-THE-RECORD" PARTING SHOTS.

BRIAN?

>> FLY YOUR FLAG ON JUNE 4th.

IT IS NATIONAL FLAG DAY.

WE SHOULD BE DOING IT.

AND IT'S BEEN LOFTS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE --LOST WITH EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON WITH THE PARINATED WASHINGTON AND EVERYTHING --PARADE IN WASHINGTON AND EVERYTHING.

FLY YOUR FLAG ON JUNE 14th.

>> TERRY CASEY?

>> JUNE IS A BIG MONTHS FOR WEDDINGS, AND COMING UP TUESDAY WAS 3 YEARS AGO MY WIFE AND I WERE MARRIED.

MIKE THOMPSON'S IN BOSTON FOR HIS PARENTS' 50th ANNIVERSARY WHICH IS GREAT.

MY SALUTE IS WHETHER IN THE MEDIA OR POLITICS, A LOT OF US HAVE PARTNERS, SPOUSES, WHO PUTS UP WITH A LOT BECAUSE POLITICS AND MEDIA'S NOT ALWAYS PREDICTABLE IN THE NORMAL HOURS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY, INCLUDING MY WIFE, FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME.

>> THERE YOU GO.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

> >> AND JESSIE BALMERT?

>> AS LAWMAKERS CONSIDER PAYING FOR THE BROWN STADIUM WITH UNCLAIMED FUNDS, IT'S WORTH CHECKING OUT IF YOU HAVE UNCLAIMED FUNDS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S WEBSITES.

THERE WAS A SPIKE IN INTEREST ON THEIR WEBSITE RECENTLY.

>> YEAH.

I HEARD VERY BIG SPIKE IN INTEREST.

AND I ENDED A LITTLE EARLY.

IF ANYONE --DOES ANYONE HAVE A SECOND "OFF-THE-RECORD" COMMENT BEFORE I DO MINE?

FREE REIN.

>> IF THERE IS A PRIDE EVENT YOU SHOULD GET OUT THERE.

IT IS AN UPLIFTING THING.

I'VE BEEN TO SOME EVEN IN SOME SMALL COUNTIES LIKE PIQUA, AND THEY WERE UPLIFTING.

>> I'VE BEEN IN SAN FRANCISCO NOT FOR THAT REASON, BUT HAPPENED TO BE TWICE WHERE THE GAY PRIDE PARADE WAS IN SPIDER-MAN.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING SHOW -- IN SAN FRANCISCO.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING SHOW.

THINGS YOU DON'T OFTEN SEE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.

> >> ALL RIGHT.

RELATED TO WHAT JESSIE SAID, AS A PITTSBURGH NATIVE BORN AND RAISED AND LIFELONG STEELERS FAN, I AM ASKING ALL OHIOANS TO GO TO UNCLAIMEDFUNDS.

OHIO.

GOV TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MONEY OUT THERE AND CLAIM IT.

DO NOT LET YOUR FORGOTTEN DOLLARS GO TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS.

I WOULD SAY GO, STEELERS.

AND I WILL SAVE ALL OF MY COMMENTS ABOUT AARON RODGERS JOINING THE STEELERS FOR THE NEXT TIME I SUBSTITUTES AS HOST OF THE SHOW.

SO THAT'S A WRAP FOR "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND WATCH US ANY TIME AT WOSU.

ORG/COTR, ON YOUTUBE, AND ALSO ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

I'M AMY JURAVICH.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.