In what may be the only state candidate debate this election season, the candidates for state auditor tangled over JobsOhio, charter schools and funding local governments, at the City Club of Cleveland. Democratic State Rep. John Patrick Carney was largely on the attack against the incumbent Auditor, Republican Dave Yost. Carney said Yost should have carried out a deeper audit of nonprofit economic development agency JobsOhio. Now this is your money. Every time you purchase liquor in the state of Ohio, it goes and supports the ability of the state to create jobs. The auditor is created under the constitution. Its the responsibility of the auditor as the chief inspector of Ohio to follow the money, says Carney
Yost was at odds with members of his own party over his efforts to audit the group, before the state legislature shielded it from that kind of scrutiny from the auditor. Carney said Yost should more aggressively dig into the finances of charter schools, and said the rules governing charters should be overhauled. Yost said Carney sounded more like he was running for a state lawmaker, where hed be crafting policy, versus being an auditor, going through state books. It sounds as though my distinguished opponent, who spent 6 years in the legislature, misunderstands the office. You see, we dont have a vote on the law, and the money and the rules that hes complaining about are matters for the legislature, not for the auditor, says Yost.
Yost did say he though there should be changes to the law, and he pointed to charter investigations hes completed. Libertarian Bob Bridges was largely left out of the back and forth. He said he understood the importance of making sure Ohio tax dollars are spent right because he owns a small business. As a matter of fact, Im a tow truck driver. I understand what its like to live a blue collar lifestyle. I understand what its like to live paycheck to paycheck, says Bridges. Ohio voters will decide the auditor's race and races for four other statewide offices in November.