Governor John Kasich's proposal to privatize the state's job creating agency is a closer to reality. But as Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports, the vote in the Ohio House ended with a party line vote and lots of partisan debate.
Supporters say the bill doesn't abolish the Department of Development, but creates the non-profit public private partnership JobsOhio to help it with job creation and retention. Democrats raised concerns about the speed that the bill zipped through the process. And former House speaker Armond Budish of suburban Cleveland said it hands a billion dollars to Gov. Kasich with little transparency and accountability.
"Being governor requires answering to the taxpayers of Ohio. This bill makes it clear that John Kasich doesn't want to be governor - he wants to be king."
But Republicans jabbed back, saying a lot of information will be made public. And Republican Danny Bubp of southwest Ohio - a retired Marine colonel - said he considered Kasich the general of the state.
"In the military, we say either lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way. This governor is leading."
The House voted 59 to 37 for the bill, and it moves on to the Senate.