Does a Republican exist who stands a chance against Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024? Today in Ohio

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Sen. Sherrod Brown mentioned Tuesday he plans to run for reelection in 2024, when his third time period ends.

We’re speaking concerning the problem of unseating the 69-year-old Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, on At present in Ohio.

Pay attention on-line right here.

Editor Chris Quinn hosts our day by day half-hour information podcast, with affect editor Leila Atassi, editorial board member Lisa Garvin and content material director Laura Johnston.

You’ve been sending Chris plenty of ideas and ideas on our from-the-newsroom textual content account, wherein he shares what we’re desirous about at cleveland.com. You may join free by sending a textual content to 216-868-4802.

Listed here are the questions we’re answering right now:

Simply again from their summer season break, did they vote to spend greater than $50 million on the failed Medical Mart, together with greater than $30 million borrowed, though each candidates 4 county govt completely oppose that concept?

So, what did Eric Gordon inform us when he sat down to debate his Monday announcement to step down as Cleveland faculties CEO on the finish of the just-started faculty yr?

Republicans have tried repeatedly to dislodge Democrat Sherrod Brown from his seat within the U.S. Senate. Sherrod’s getting up there in age. Will he do the dance as soon as extra when his time period ends in two years?

What’s the most recent spending from the Cuyahoga County Council’s $66 million in slush funds, which, as we detailed in a giant story Sunday, have been created exterior the realm of the state Sunshine Regulation?

It’s not slush fund money, however it’s federal stimulus {dollars} which are concerned within the subsequent story, sort of form of. How will stimulus {dollars} assist Cuyahoga County residents journey out of state to get abortions?

We’re not finished with the Cuyahoga County council but. Simply again from their summer season break, they took extra motion getting them nearer to purchasing a poisonous web site for the deliberate county jail. What did they do, and what’s forward?

The polarized Ohio Supreme Courtroom had a uncommon second of settlement on a First Modification matter. They didn’t all get to the ultimate determination with the identical thought course of, however they stood up at no cost speech. What’s the case?

Unemployment fraud was one of many largest tales within the first yr of the pandemic, and Ohio was one of many states that had no finish of it. The place do issues stand right now?

Has the Downtown Cleveland Alliance provide you with a greater technique for getting individuals again downtown than pleading with employers to pressure staff again into the workplace? This technique sounds extra enjoyable, anyway. What’s it about?

The Browns dwelling opener is that this weekend, and followers will see one thing fairly totally different at midfield. The followers wished it. What’s it?

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Learn the automated transcript under. As a result of it’s a computer-generated transcript, it accommodates many errors and misspellings.

Chris: [00:00:00] After taking their summer season break, the Cuyahoga county council got here proper again and squandered an entire lot of cash. We’ll be speaking about it on right now in Ohio, the information podcast dialogue from cleveland.com and the plain supplier. I’m Chris Gwen. I’m right here with Courtney Affy Lisa Garvin and Laura Johnston.

It’s a sizzling story. Let’s get to it. They’re simply again from their summer season break, the Cuyahoga county council. And did they of their first assembly again spend? Spent greater than 50 million on the failed medical Mar together with greater than 30 million, they’re gonna must borrow, though each candidates for county govt.

Completely. Opposed the thought Courtney we’re 108 days from a brand new county govt being in workplace. They don’t need this debt. They don’t wanna borrow 30 million and the council’s doing it.

Courtney: Yeah, the council yesterday, such as you mentioned, on their first day again from break, moved via this, this [00:01:00] 40 million expense from the county, however it really is 50 million.

I’ll provide the breakdown. So such as you mentioned, there’s 31 million in new debt right here. So county taxpayers are gonna be paying that off for a very long time, however then there’s additionally. Over 9 million, together with some federal stimulus money there’s cash coming outta the overall fund, which helps issues like, , public security and well being and human companies.

After which there are additionally proceeds from conference heart, naming rights which are going half which are a part of this $40 million in county money going to the venture. Now we even have one other 9 million coming from the nonprofit board that oversees the conference heart and the worldwide heart. And in that group, Nicely, it does herald its personal revenues from conventions.

It, additionally it is supported yearly yearly by by county infusions of money. So that you’ve obtained just about a 50 million batch of, of county cash

Chris: going tax cash. That is our cash that they’re flushing down the [00:02:00] rest room. It’s look the factor that throws me on this and it, it’s not simply me. I’m listening to from plenty of individuals which are saying.

I don’t get it. Why are they doing this? This doesn’t make sense. I imply, you might have each county, govt candidates not eager to borrow cash for this, wanting to take a look at it one other means. You’ve obtained the residents of Cuyahoga county lifeless set in opposition to it in giant numbers, and but they’re racing ahead on it.

And it truly is inflicting individuals to marvel if there’s some sort of sinister backstory you’re listening to increasingly individuals say, , possibly there must be an actual investigation. Who’s gonna get this 50 million whose pocket does it go into and what are they doing to get that cash? Cuz this, you possibly can’t make a case for doing it.

You can also make a case for throwing it ahead to January when there’s a brand new govt, so that you simply work out what the most effective future is, however you possibly can’t make the case for doing it.

Courtney: Yeah. You already know, yesterday, council members actually didn’t contact on that timing of the [00:03:00] new govt coming in. They have been talking extra usually of the necessity to do one thing with this, , boondoggle of a constructing.

They mentioned they will’t simply let it sit there in languish. This could we be a approach to breathe life into it? Um, I don’t assume, such as you mentioned, lots of county taxpayers essentially subscribe to that concept too, however the, the one dissent we actually obtained yesterday on this plan was from Councilwoman NA baker. She’s a Western suburban Republican, and she or he additionally agreed that the county should do one thing to repurpose the worldwide heart.

The rationale why she dissented and voted in opposition to it’s cuz she wished to piecemeal this out fund some cash up entrance, however then maintain again different cash for what she noticed as sort of dear extras and see if possibly that may very well be finished later. Proper? In order that,

Chris: that’s the purpose although. They’re doing the Taj Maha therapy.

When taxpayers don’t have the cash to afford it, there, there are different steps they may take. They don’t must do 50 million. There may be some price range plan they [00:04:00] might do. They’re not speaking about that. And to not discuss concerning the timing is ridiculous as a result of the following govt will are available in and this cash gained’t all be spent but.

They’ll attempt to undo this. You’d assume, and that may imply we’re losing cash as a result of they gained’t be capable to undo it. All. The, the timing is every thing proper now. It, and it, this simply doesn’t make sense. And when nothing is sensible, you need to begin , okay. So what’s the actual cause they’re, they’re cramming this factor via the truth that they didn’t even discuss.

That’s fascinating in its personal, proper. We’ll be speaking to the county govt candidates right now in our endorsement interview. I’m certain this can come up. You’re listening to right now in Ohio. Republicans have tried repeatedly to dislodge Senator she brown from his seat. Shed’s getting up there in age. Will he do the dance yet one more time?

When his time period ends in two years, Lisa, there are an entire lot of those that salivate it, [00:05:00] the thought of moving into that Senate seat, but when she desires to maintain it, he’ll be a tough man to get.

Lisa: And he’s gonna go for a 3rd six yr time period in 2024. He was, uh, questioned by a reporter on the finish of an interview on one other topic.

And he was requested, is he gonna run once more in 2024? He had one phrase reply. Sure. However then he certified that by saying, oh, there’s an extended reply. And I plan to formally announce in some unspecified time in the future, however after all, he’s obtained a pair years to go. He was first elected in 2006, once more in 2012 when Obama Obama carried Ohio.

After which once more in 2018, when the G O P took the entire statewide non-judicial races. So he was fairly a unicorn in Ohio. He can be turning 70 this November ninth, the day after the overall election. In my thoughts, a younger fellow, um, his attainable challengers from the G O P may very well be secretary of state Frank LaRose, who handed on the Senate race this time, however will in all probability gear up the [00:06:00] subsequent time.

And in addition state Senator Matt Dolan, who did fairly effectively within the Senate, G O P major in opposition to, uh, Vance and, uh, uh, A number of others.

Chris: um, you mentioned it’d be his third time period. It’d be his fourth as you laid out, right? You’re proper. I’m sorry. Three mm-hmm I, I, the working in opposition to, she is lots totally different than working for an open seat vacated by Rob Portman.

She has proved remarkably robust in every of his runs. And I I’m stunned. I imply, Frank LaRose has been everywhere in the. I imply, he’s actually been a changeable particular person up to now yr with a few of his ridiculous statements concerning the election. Whereas attempting to say our election was sound, I don’t know the way a lot credibility he has, however for Matt Dolan to tackle she brown he’s taken on a fellow Northeast, Ohio man.

Who’s very, extremely popular with, with Ohio. I imply, he wins Ohio by an honest margin. Every time I’m stunned the official Republican candidate will take him on he’s [00:07:00] run in opposition to Josh Mandel. Who’s a joke. He’s run in opposition to Jim Rena. Who’s who’s equally foolish. Uh, I, I’d count on extra of that sort of caliber of candidate.

You already know, it’d be

Lisa: fascinating to see whether or not they assume he’s susceptible as a result of it appears to me that the, the demo, the, uh, G O P subject in opposition to him has been fairly muted. We don’t have like six or seven candidates working in opposition to him that I do know of. After all I wasn’t right here for all of his elections, however.

Chris: Nicely, the factor about char brown is, is he’s real and genuine. He he’s by no means waffled. You may’t accuse him of adjusting positions. He’s who he’s at all times been. He’s at all times stood for a similar rules and Ohio likes that he, , stands up for the, the working man and he, he, the dignity of labor and the entire, the, the phrases he makes use of, it’s actual.

And I believe Ohio senses that. And that’s why I believe it’s so onerous even in. That it’s gone closely for Donald Trump. She BS individuals say, oh, , the, the Republicans have [00:08:00] all of the statewides. They don’t, they can’t beat. She brown he’s gained handily. So I’d count on that may occur once more, except he had some sort of critical well being concern.

Lisa: Yeah. I’m glad Ohio.

Chris: Yeah, I, me too. , he’s a, , you don’t at all times agree with him and he, and he’ll cuss you out at any time when he doesn’t agree with you. He’s fairly irascible, however he’s genuine. And that’s fascinating to see in politics it’s right now in Ohio, what’s the most recent spending from the Cuyahoga county.

Council’s $66 million in slush funds, which as we detailed in our huge story on Sunday have been created. Aspect your complete realm of state sunshine regulation. Laura, we talked concerning the med Mart and the way many of the county thinks that’s an idiotic concept. The slush funds have lots of people up in arms, too. It’s one other one the place the county council simply doesn’t appear to be listening.

Nicely, possibly

Laura: they’re simply listening to the individuals getting cash. I’m not fairly certain, however we’re 17 million [00:09:00] on metropolis on county council’s agenda final night time alone. So on first studying. So it has to undergo three readings to get voted on, however the first starting was $4.1 million. The most important chunk was $2 million to enhance shaker sq., um, adopted by $900,000 to demolish.

Faculty constructing at north Omstead after which there was ultimate approval for 12.8 million price of venture. That features funding for the Hitchcock heart for ladies therapy facility, a police firearms vary in Rocky river, and an entire host of issues, which don’t actually sound just like the transformational initiatives that we have been hoping for.

Once we first speaking about. Huge pot of stimulus cash, lots of mundane issues like neighborhood companies, bus alternative, venture, or capital enhancements to the Harvard neighborhood companies heart or the Lee highway hall revitalization venture. I imply, these are issues that authorities can be doing anyway.

Chris: Yeah, it’s I, I believe what they’re attempting to do, cuz they know they’re beneath the [00:10:00] gun on this and it’s gonna be a marketing campaign concern. We’ll actually we’re bringing it up. They’re attempting to argue that the ends justify the means. Sure, we violated the sunshine. Nicely, they’re not admitting it, however they did violated the sunshine regulation to create this stuff.

Sure. They went to their favored individuals to present them entry to it and. The entire bunch of official organizations from even having the ability to apply. In order that they’re gonna be beneath the gun, which once more, we can be stressing at marketing campaign time. They’re gonna wanna say, effectively, it went to great things. You already know, we paid roads, we did this, we did this, attempting to behave like the method and their secrecy they usually’re working exterior the regulation doesn’t matter.

Laura: Proper. I imply, if you concentrate on this, it sort. I imply, there’s a smack of political patronage right here as a result of these are people. OK. I used to be attempting to be diplomatic and never overstep, however yeah, precisely. This concept that they’re rewarding. The mayors of their city in order that the mayors can say, look what this county council particular person did for us.

They have been those that [00:11:00] supplied this, this crosswalk, or obtained this venture finished, or, , a canine park is likely one of the initiatives they’ve been speaking about. I imply, there’s nonetheless, I don’t perceive the. Impetus to spend cash on golf programs. I imply, we’ve obtained a golf course, clubhouse, I believe at Parma they’re speaking about, and the Ridgewood golf course venture, I simply, I don’t get it.

This doesn’t appear to be the primary factor. And in addition I really feel like we must always have a look at how a lot public cash is being. Stuffed into shaker sq. as a result of that is one other $2 million. I do know the town council already had what?

Chris: Eight. Yeah, we raised hell about how a lot Cleveland was spending on this factor that has repeatedly been a failure.

And now the county is kicking in much more. I don’t assume the county, it’s not lots left. However I don’t assume they completed paying off the bonds for the earlier failed iteration of shaker sq. that the county borrowed cash for the final time I appeared, they nonetheless had a number of funds left. So now they’re gonna kick in more cash that they’re not borrowing the, the, the concept.

They assume they’ll be capable to get the mayors to [00:12:00] assist ‘em I’m certain our editorial board’s going to do what we did with the county executives race. So about this time final yr, I believe it was, we begged for candidates to run for county govt as a result of the county was being run into the bottom. We’ll do the identical factor to run in opposition to these county council members and actually stress these unpopular concepts.

Trigger they they’re asking for it. They aren’t doing. The nice will of the individuals,

Laura: a few of these council members have been on council for the reason that unique iteration. And, , I used to be protecting them in 2010 and Courtney’s lined them and now Caitlin’s protecting them. And they also’ve been round not less than 12 years now.

And there has by no means been actually heated races for these seats, apart from possibly the primary time round once they have been utterly open. However I’d say half of the council remains to be the unique people.

Chris: I do know, however look what occurred within the Cleveland mayors race, proper? Yeah. The, the, the outdated administration, the standard candidate thought they may stroll proper in.

And we obtained this upstart younger, vibrant man who ran in opposition to him and gained [00:13:00] Handly. I believe that there’s a brand new era of individuals of their mid thirties. Possibly that, which may simply be tickled by the thought of fine authorities and being a participant in it to run. This outdated guard.

Laura: That’s, what’s so ironic. Proper?

Previous guard. We’re speaking about an outdated guard in a authorities type that we solely created 12 years in the past. And that was the entire level of the reform was we have been gonna get all these model new, like free thinkers into authorities. It was gonna be a part-time place in order that we’d get new thought and professionals who had different

Chris: jobs.

And we obtained Dale Miller and Marty Sweeney. I imply, yeah, proper. The washed up Hass of the world are nonetheless in energy. Do assume that, that if we. If the editorial board does it, proper? Like they did with the manager, we’ll get some new candidates stepping ahead. We’ve obtained to, as a result of lots of people are calling for an abolition of this authorities type 10 years, 11 years in as a result of it’s been such a failure and the slush funds are simply one of many examples you’re listening to [00:14:00] right now in Ohio.

This doesn’t contain slush fund money, however it’s federal stimulus {dollars} which are concerned within the subsequent story. Sort of, form of how will stimulus {dollars} assist Cuyahoga county residents journey outta state to get abortions? Lisa, we talked that this lots when Cleveland was proposing it. And a part of our concern was that Cleveland doesn’t have any sort of equipment to make this occur in a well timed vogue county has a unique strategy.

Lisa: Do they although? I imply, I don’t know. I imply, they’re, the, the county board of management did approve $475,000 in APA cash to pay for a number of issues, together with journey and lodging for ladies in search of abortions out of. State, they agreed to a no bid contract with the middle for neighborhood options that goes via April of 2025.

And so they say that no county cash can be used for abortions, simply the APA funds. So about $278,000 of this cash will go to a neighborhood [00:15:00] help fund, which they are saying the largest piece of this fund is to teach pregnant ladies on their choices, however it can additionally pay for lodge and journey as effectively. Um, a spokeswoman with the division of well being and human.

As Sabrina. Robert says, schooling is de facto the largest piece. They actually solely wanna use the journey cash for ladies and women in horrific one-off conditions that want an instantaneous response. Uh, different, , chunks of the cash. 95,000 will go to personnel, $75,000 to consultants. Hmm. And 23,750.

Overhead quote unquote, cuz we had the quotes within the story on cleveland.com and there aren’t any specifics. We don’t know the way persons are gonna be eligible, how they are going to apply for this funds, however they are saying they need to decide precisely what companies are needed earlier than they arrange this, , this program.

Chris: Okay. The, the distinction between Cleveland and the county is they’re going with a nonprofit to manage it. Possibly a nonprofit that may work quick in a [00:16:00] authorities, however possibly I’m MIS possibly I’m misunderstanding this. However I believed the county was not utilizing ARPA cash immediately, that they have been going to take cash outta the overall fund to pay for this, after which use the APA cash to shore up their price range, which was a part of the needs.

Courtney, do you.

Courtney: Um, undecided about, about that. I, I did simply wanna say although, there there’s a great probability that Cleveland might go the nonprofit route two. We haven’t fleshed out these particulars, however I’m beginning to hear that that’s being thought of on the town facet, FYI.

Chris: Nicely, hopefully that’s us getting motion as a result of I believe we’ve mentioned it repeatedly that there is no such thing as a means Cleveland, if it did it itself, might react shortly sufficient for a girl who wants an abortion to get her outta state in time to have that abortion earlier than it’s too late.

I imply, nothing at metropolis corridor strikes shortly as . Nicely, um, Lisa, am I misspeaking about that or is it not clear? I believed that when, after we first heard they have been [00:17:00] gonna use ARPA cash, To assist individuals get outta state for abortions. We thought that’s in all probability a pink flag. That’s in all probability not a authorized use of the federal {dollars}, however the mechanism was they might spend normal fund cash after which shore up their price range with APA {dollars}.

Is that not the case? I, I actually

Lisa: you’re. You’re calling me out, Chris. I don’t know. I missed that nuance. After I was, um, , doing my notes for the story. So yeah, I can’t communicate

Chris: to that. Sorry. Possibly I’m misinformed. We’ll get, we’ll get extra on it, however I, I, I, in the event that they’re utilizing stimulus {dollars} to pay, to get individuals I state for abortion, I’ve a sense there’s some members of Congress they’re gonna scream, bloody homicide on that.

Are you able to say Jim Jordan? So we’ll, we’ll comply with up and, uh, we’ll get some solutions you’re listening to right now in Ohio. So what did Eric Gordon inform us when he sat down to debate his Monday announcement to step down as Cleveland faculty’s CEO on the finish of the simply began faculty yr, Courtney, this was huge information.

[00:18:00] We reported it huge, however, however he wasn’t speaking about it until a day later. What did he say?

Courtney: Yeah, Eric Gordon talked to our reporter, Hannah drown yesterday on off the, the information that he’s gonna be leaving. And, and actually, we sort of wished extra data, I take into consideration why the choice now, um, and , Gordon informed Hannah that.

The district’s in a spot the place a management transition can go easily. Um, he mentioned, there’s good, good monetary well being there at CMS D there’s good benchmarks for the way they’re recovering from the pandemic. The general public has actually sort of purchased into what CMS D’s been doing to enhance itself over Gordon’s tenure.

So he mentioned all these sorts of issues actually allowed him to be in a great place to step away and for a brand new particular person to come back.

Chris: What’s fascinating. Cuz I hear from lots of people lately, I’m getting 1000’s of texts and emails a month now. And I heard from a bunch that simply [00:19:00] instantly leap to the conclusion that there was a battle between him and bib.

You already know, a part of that was there was. Social media stuff going out saying that a part of it’s there’s only a distrusted authorities due to how badly authorities’s been behaving currently. Uh, Eric didn’t in any means say that was the trigger. In reality, he mentioned he had determined months in the past to in all probability do that. And, however in latest weeks he’d determined to behave on it in order that they may have an honest transition.

Courtney: Yeah. And he began, such as you mentioned, he began getting the phrase out and that culminated in. Announcement on Monday. It, , I, I actually was to listen to sort of his tackle his tenure there, , um, he informed Hannah when he began on this job, 11 years in the past, he, he had three targets, primarily. He wished to enhance the worst performing district in Ohio.

He wished to ensure that CMS D’s work issues and he wished to, , begin to sort out the obstacles to success that college students everywhere in the metropolis face. [00:20:00] Proper. And Gordon trying again on his profession right here says he’s, he’s achieved these targets and he thinks the district’s in a great place to launch and proceed on these targets going ahead to your level, um, who, who is aware of what comes subsequent for Gordon?

He informed Hannah. He doesn’t have something lined up proper now. And there’s nonetheless a number of months to go earlier than he steps down.

Chris: Yeah. And he’s planning to speculate himself absolutely in the remainder of the yr. And he mentioned, he’d in all probability would have, uh, some emotional moments on the, the, uh, commencement speeches. I ought to point out yesterday.

I mentioned that when he began, he was in a interim and my reminiscence was foggy. He, he was de facto interim. They gave him a one yr contract to. And mentioned, we’re gonna strive him out. I believe I couldn’t discover this yesterday that he, the second yr he obtained one other one yr contract after which lastly they gave him what you usually give.

So, so though they, they named him because the CEO, they didn’t give him a long run contract to start out. It was an uncommon scenario. [00:21:00] A number of individuals popping out of the woodwork to salute him. He’s very extremely regarded in lots of quarters. There’s some individuals which have been essential of him in recent times for closing the colleges in the course of the pandemic.

We talked about that yesterday, however the overwhelming opinion is Eric Gordon was the right CEO for the colleges and can be very onerous to interchange. You’re listening to right now in Ohio. The polarized Ohio Supreme courtroom had a uncommon second of settlement on a primary modification matter. You don’t usually consider the Republicans on the Supreme courtroom backing the primary modification.

They didn’t all get to the ultimate determination with the identical thought course of, however they did arise for 3 free speech. Laura, what’s the case. So

Laura: this has to do with the Portage board of developmental disabilities and the concept unions are allowed to arrange picketing at public officers properties. And this was an extended.

Courtroom battle that began in October, 2017 when union members in Portage county picketed exterior the residences [00:22:00] of six board members, the personal office of one in every of them, all of the picketing was on public streets and sidewalks. There have been no stories of disruptive habits, however the board filed prices of unfair labor practices with the state employment relations board they usually declare the union was violating.

The the regulation mainly, and the Serb, the board agreed with them that went to courtroom. They agreed with them that it went to the appeals courtroom they usually disagreed. After which all the best way as much as the Supreme courtroom the place that. Identical determination was upheld. So mainly they’re saying you possibly can’t go and choose it at a public officers home that’s free speech,

Chris: however the, however there have been two factions on the courtroom, proper in getting there.

What was the

distinction?

Laura: In order that they have been divided 4, three in these reasoning and one group mainly mentioned that. Was limiting the actual views of audio system and was unconstitutional. That was from Donnelley. He’s a Democrat after which justice Sharon and Al Kennedy wrote a concurring opinion. She mentioned that limitations are an [00:23:00] or on inducing or encouraging others to choose it in a public discussion board on a difficulty of public concern, strike on the coronary heart of free speech protections.

Chris: Yeah, the, within the, within the first one he’s saying that it solely utilized to unions. It didn’t apply to different individuals. So different individuals might say, yeah, go protest. However the unions had the prohibition. Kennedy’s saying that doesn’t matter. You simply can’t do that in any respect as a result of it’s a free speech concern. So, which is sort of

Laura: the.

Broad definition.

Chris: Nicely it’s and it was unanimous. You may’t do it. It’s good to see anyone on the Supreme courtroom standing up at no cost speech. It’s actually good to see. Seven of ‘em standing up at no cost speech it’s right now in Ohio unemployment fraud was one of many largest tales within the first yr of the pandemic in Ohio is likely one of the states that had no finish of it.

Lisa, the place do issues stand right now? Nicely,

Lisa: they’re getting there slowly however certainly as of March thirty first of this yr. 527 million [00:24:00] was stolen from each conventional and pandemic associated advantages applications since March of 2020. That’s an enormous determine. Solely 398 million of that has been recovered as far as of this June, however false claims have dropped and, uh, division of jobs and household service.

Folkman invoice Tets. There says there are a number of causes for that. He says, to start with, the pandemic jobless help ended a yr in the past, that system, as a result of they have been attempting to get the cash out to individuals as shortly as attainable. It was extraordinarily simple to take advantage of and manipulate and it had decrease verification necessities.

So now that that’s gone, it’s a bit bit more durable to do fraud. He additionally says the variety of jobless claims are means down. Um, and right here’s some fascinating figures that really blew my thoughts. So, um, for a typical fiscal yr, They paid, , $900 million in jobless claims earlier than the pandemic that grew to 9.4 billion in 2020.

And it grew to 14.2 billion [00:25:00] in 2021. That’s that’s insane. And in addition te says they made enhancements in up. Charges to, they’ve a 2004 classic laptop system. In order that they did some upgrades and, , to raised detect and forestall fraud. However in addition they used exterior safety contractors in the course of the thick of this.

And so they labored with financial institution and insured executives on anti fraud efforts. However a few of these safety contracts are nonetheless ongoing, however, uh, te says, , as of this spring, Uh, that they had recognized 350,000 probably fraudulent claims and people have been resolved. After which they’re processing 37,000 extra.

However Chris, as you identified, earlier than we began the podcast, as we’ve heard nothing about prosecutions,

Chris: Proper. They are saying they’re resolved in my thoughts. For those who’ve resolved a fraud declare, you’ve gotten the cash again and charged the man that stole it from you. And I don’t assume so. That is in all probability the largest fraud case within the historical past of Ohio.

Whenever you discuss concerning the variety of cheaters and the quantity of {dollars}, and we’ve [00:26:00] heard. Lethal squat about anyone being delivered to justice. Uh, it’s a narrative we’ll must comply with, however Dave yo sends a press launch about every thing, and he’s not saying something about this. In reality, the story goes into element about how his workplace chased down.

Any individual that didn’t get a profit to attempt to make a repay. She knew what she was doing. And so in a sternly worded letters slapped him foolish they usually, they lastly dropped. However she worries that individuals that don’t know easy methods to do what she did are simply getting harassed. However the place is the legal prosecution on the largest fraud case within the historical past of the state?

Good query. It’s right now in Ohio has the downtown Cleveland Alliance provide you with a greater technique for getting individuals again downtown, then pleading with employers to pressure staff again into the workplace. This technique sounds extra enjoyable. Anyway, what’s it about Courtney? Yeah, I don’t

Courtney: assume that is gonna be a make or break for downtown, however it certain gonna be a pleasant, [00:27:00] uh, cherry on prime.

It feels like, , the downtown Cleveland Alliance is in search of buskers avenue performers for, it feels like throughout downtown good places with excessive site visitors. They’ve scouted out about 20 totally different locations the place they, the place they ideally need people to go they usually’re in search of purposes.

They’ve put collectively a information to assist performers out. And so they’re in search of everybody from musicians. Mines comedians, , com um, puppeteers, balloon artists, simply any sort of performer or enjoyable, little factor like that you can imagine. They wanna pepper people round downtown.

Chris: Yeah, I believe it is a means higher concept of creating individuals wanna be downtown as in comparison with getting begging their employers to pressure them to come back down.

In a single case you might have people who find themselves comfortable and smiling and having fun with that ambiance. And the opposite case you bought actually disgruntled staff which are in search of one other job. Uh, it’s a, it’s a problem. And it’s fascinating to see they’ve provide you with a [00:28:00] inventive strategy.

Courtney: Yeah, the, the, the downtown group mentioned that they, they only wanna carry that vibrancy in life to, to the streets.

You already know, all of us sort of knew and cherished the S man who handed away a number of years in the past, downtown. So there’s clearly a, a need for this in Cleveland.

Chris: Yeah, it’ll be cool. It’s right now in Ohio, yet one more. The Browns dwelling opener is that this weekend and followers will see one thing fairly totally different at midfield. The followers wished it.

Laura, what’s

Laura: it? It’s browny. The L he’s gracing, the 50 yard line of first vitality stadium for all the house video games beginning Sunday versus the jets with the house opener. So this new subject was designed, uh, designed was unveiled on Tuesday with a. Fly over video, which has brownie the elf, the mascot working round his image on the center of the sphere.

It’s obtained, he’s working the soccer, utilizing a stiff arm. Everyone knows what this man seems to be like. Proper. The little, little man within the orange. So it’s sort of creepy. Yeah. [00:29:00] He’s not essentially the most enticing man. It’s sort of like a child with an outdated face. I’m not completely certain, however individuals love him apparently. And this beat out the helmet for an possibility at midfield, cuz followers did vote.

Chris: Yeah, not being a local Clevelander. After I first noticed this, I believed it was a really unusual historic mascot. I didn’t understand it was that beloved. I did discover that on, uh, the sport Sunday, all of the coaches have been carrying baseball hats with brownie on it. So I assume that’s the effectively, however

Lisa: they’ve been doing that for some time now.

I imply, Toski as quickly as he confirmed up, he was carrying brownie, the elf stuff. So it was Mayfield. So the emblem has slowly bubbled up amongst the gamers. I’m glad to see it lastly on midfield. And I desire a sweatshirt with that brand on it. You want

Chris: it as a local

Laura: Clevelander? Yeah. It’s higher than that canine, proper?

Oh, just like the meat canine.

Chris: okay. Nicely, it’s, it’s in gigantic measurement at midfield, then the entire nation can, uh, see [00:30:00] it on the tv. I, ,

Laura: we must always rerun that story on Sunday when persons are watching the sport going, what’s that factor? Proper. The center of

Chris: the sphere. I do assume that individuals from exterior will, can be pondering precisely that.

What’s that? And possibly the announcers will describe it simply so individuals have, I give the historical past of brownie, the elf. Yeah, the framer reference that you simply would possibly want. Okay. It’s right now in Ohio. That does it for the dialogue right now. Thanks Courtney. Thanks Lisa. Thanks Laura. And thanks you to all people who listens to this podcast.