For the first time ever – the question of whether to legalize marijuana is set to go before Ohio voters this fall, as the signatures gathered by ResponsibleOhio's petition drive are certified. But it will be on the ballot along with an issue backed by lawmakers that would block groups from embedded into the constitution economic advantages for only their interests - which would negate ResponsibleOhio's issue if they both pass. And the most senior Democrat in the Ohio House, Rep. Ron Gerberry of Austintown, has resigned his seat, and is reportedly set to plead guilty to campaign finance charges.
Last week most political junkies had their attention turned to Ohio – specifically Cleveland, for the first Republican presidential debate. 24 million people saw the debate; it was the most watched cable event in history. But there was a lot of behind-the-scenes action that most didn't see - in the "spin room", with protestors outside Quicken Loans Arena, and in the long hours before and after the debate. And there was one clear winner, for many people - the city of Cleveland, which will host the Republican National Convention in a little over a year. Rob Frost is the chair of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party, and he talks about the forward moving impact of the debate and the upcoming convention on Cleveland and on the party in northeast Ohio.
While Cleveland was overrun with red for the GOP debate, there was a Democratic presence there. And Ohio Democrats promise they'll keep the pressure on for next year's RNC convention. Sen. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) talks about Democratic response to these major Republican events.