AP: Ohio jobs group files court complaint

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s new private job creation entity is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to force the state to provide funding that’s been expected but delayed by a lawsuit.

The budget and commerce departments agreed to transfer rights to the state liquor business to JobsOhio for the next 25 years in a deal worth $1.4 billion.

JobsOhio filed a complaint today asking the high court to compel the commerce director to move forward with the agreement.

The process has been delayed by a lawsuit by a liberal group and two Democratic lawmakers challenging whether turning public money over to a private entity is constitutional. A judge dismissed the challenge. A state appeals court upheld the decision.

The commerce director says he can’t move forward until the high court addresses the legal challenge.