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JobsOhio: Who Can Challenge It?

Karen Kasler, Ohio Public Radio

Governor Kasich’s private job creation entity, JobsOhio, has been at the center of controversy since it began. Because it's partially a private board, it's free from some of the regulations and public scrutiny that government organizations face.

A lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of JobsOhio was brought before the Ohio Supreme Court this week. But as Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler tells Emily McCord, before that decision can be made, the question of who is allowed to sue JobsOhio must be settled first.

The lawsuit was brought forth by a liberal group called ProgressOhio, and is joined by two Democrats, Sen. Michael Skindell, (D-Lakewood), and former Democratic Rep. Dennis Murray of Sandusky. It claims JobsOhio is unconstitutional because it uses public money from state liquor profits.

The case is in front of the Supreme Court after a lower court ruling found ProgressOhio didn't have the right to sue. Kasler tells McCord that if the Supreme Court decides the group indeed has that right, it could set a precedent for other cases, including a lawsuit also filed by ProgressOhio against video lottery terminals at horse racing tracks.