Mahoning Valley Dems seek lawmaker role in Ohio prison sales

COLUMBUS (AP) — Two Democratic state lawmakers say it’s wrong for Gov. John Kasich to sell off state prisons without clearing it with the Legislature.

State Reps. Ronald Gerberry of Austintown and Robert Hagan of Youngstown said today they’re proposing a bill that would bar Kasich from moving forward with prison sale plans without legislative approval.

The $55.6 billion, two-year state budget includes plans by Kasich to sell or privatize five state prisons. Republicans who control the House added a sixth facility to the plan, but strengthened the Legislature’s role in the process amid constitutional concerns.

Gerberry and Hagan said their bill is intended to escalate public pressure on the Republican-led Senate to remove the prison sales from its version of the state budget. Amendments are due next week.