COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A Democratic state representative and party leader is trying to put a temporary halt to some state development spending amid a dispute involving Gov. John Kasich's (KAY'-siks) private job-creation entity, JobsOhio.
Ohio Democratic Chairman and state Rep. Chris Redfern, of Catawba Island, asked the state Controlling Board to hold all spending requests on Monday's agenda for the Ohio Department of Development or Ohio Development Services Agency.
Redfern wants the agencies' heads to appear before the panel to explain how about $5 million in state development money got transferred to JobsOhio without legislative approval.
Ohio Auditor Dave Yost, Kasich's fellow Republican, has subpoenaed JobsOhio's financial records as he undertakes a state audit. The Kasich administration and GOP state legislative leaders say the audit of private funds is outside Yost's authority.
