JobsOhio controversy prompts legislative action

(The Center Square) – The involvement of an Ohio non-profit group in a controversy that led to the resignation of The Ohio State University’s president has prompted proposed legislation to increase oversight of the agency.

The proposed JobsOhio Transparency Act follows the resignation of former Ohio State University President Ted Carter last week over an “inappropriate” relationship with a podcaster. JobsOhio announced that it had paid the woman $60,000 for a series of four podcasts, but only one of those was produced.

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit funded “from the JobsOhio Beverage System liquor enterprise we purchased in 2013 and still manage today,” the group states on its website. No taxpayer funds are used.”

In a news release, State Reps. Tristan W. Rader, D–Lakewood, and Justin Pizzulli, R–Scioto County, said the organization is a “state-created entity that oversees Ohio’s liquor profits to finance economic development projects.”

The podcast controversy has prompted the need for more scrutiny of JobsOhi...