Ohio's top lawyer is throwing a wrench in a controversial financial arrangement between the state and a private corporation. Attorney General Dave Yost is raising red flags over a proposal to extend JobsOhio's lease on state liquor profits for another 15 years without any new compensation, a deal he fears might sell Ohioans short. According to a letter Yost sent to JobsOhio, made public via the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's website, Yost expressed his "grave concerns" about the one-sided nature of the deal.

The Attorney General isn't just asking for answers. He's calling for time. In a distinct move, he's pushed the Office of Budget and Management for a pause and the Controlling Board to place weight and deliberation on the Feb. 12 review of the issue. This extension would add years to a substantial 25-year lease authorized by JobsOhio, which initially saw the corporation make a significant $1.4 billion upfront payment. However, the terms of the new deal don't ask for more cash, stirring questions about fairness and future financial implications for the state. According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, "How is it in the best interest of the people of Ohio to extend such a valuable franchise under these circumstances?" Yost inquired in his letter to JobsOhio.

What's more, a meeting between the Attorney General's Office and JobsOhio intended to shed light on the finer points of the deal was nixed by the corporation, with no reschedule in sight before the extension heads to the board. Yost, not content to let the matter slip by, has formally asked JobsOhio to delay the extension, emphasizing the need for an open discussion "in the interest of public trust and transparency." according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

While this corporate-state relationship has borne fruit in the past, it seems clear that the current terms of extension don't add up for Yost and perhaps for the citizens he represents. The situation leaves many wondering about the checks and balances in place when public assets are at play. Ohioans might do well to keep an eye on how this matter unfolds as the days tick down and the Controlling Board meeting looms closer.