JobsOhio is in the news not because of a big new project, but because of the role, however small, it played in the sudden resignation of Ohio State University President Ted Carter.
Carter resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a podcaster sponsored by JobsOhio. The agency gave her $60,000 for four episodes of a little-watched podcast on veterans' employment.
Former Gov. John Kasich, who helped create JobsOhio, took to social media to criticize the deal and accused JobsOhio of mission creep. That brought a response from Attorney General Dave Yost, who criticized Kasich for creating a publicly funded agency that operates with no oversight.
Yost urged his fellow Republican to look in the mirror. Yost said that as auditor of state, he worried about such things. He told Kasich that the former governor ignored a subpoena and twisted every arm in the Legislature to pass a law to stop Yost from auditing JobsOhio. Yost then asked what other things have not come to light.
To help us better understand this story, we turn to the Columbus on the Record panel from WOSU. Joining us are progressive activist Morgan Harper, Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis, and Statehouse reporters Jessie Balmert of the USA Today Ohio Network and Karen Kasler of Ohio Public Radio and Television.
Snollygoster of the week
As you probably know, Congress and the president have partially shut down the government. Democrats in Congress will not approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security until it changes its immigration enforcement practices.
The White House and Republicans so far have refused to budge. Among other things, that means TSA agents at airports are not getting paid. After a month of not getting paid, many have stopped coming to work.
That has led to long lines at airports and many passengers missing their flights. Airlines then have to clean up the mess and rebook those passengers.
Delta Air Lines announced it no longer will provide special services to members of Congress. Those services included airport escorts and a dedicated reservations line that allows lawmakers to make last-minute changes.
That is over, at least until the shutdown ends, TSA agents get paid and lines shorten. Senators and representatives now have to line up in zones four through eight and gate-check their carry-on bags.