ProgressOhio has found an unlikely ally — the conservative group 1851 Center for Constitutional Law — in its appeal of the recent ruling in favor of JobsOhio to the Ohio Supreme Court, Gongwer reports. The 1851 Center is providing “in-kind contributions of labor” after determining that the 10th District Court of Appeals ruling, which “upheld Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Laurel Beatty's finding that ProgressOhio and the lawmakers were unable to demonstrate injury as a result of JobsOhio and overruled plaintiffs' argument that the issue is one of great public interest and importance warranting the judges' attention,” to be “abysmal,” Gongwer reports. The 1851 Center has taken particular issue with the finding that ProgressOhio lacks standing, stating that such a ruling “is akin to determining no Ohio taxpayer has a stake in controlling its government ‘when it’s out of control’ in terms of spending, indebtedness and taxation,” the article said. For more information on the court of appeals decision, read our June 15 blog post.
With the court of appeals ruling, JobsOhio was finally positioned to finalize the financing of the long-term lease of the Ohio Liquor Enterprise and access its dedicated funding stream of approximately $100 million per year to meet its job creation and retention mandates. However this appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court will likely put the financing transaction on hold…again.
