Ohio prison privatization suit

A Franklin County, Ohio Common Pleas Court Judge has denied a request from the liberal policy group ProgressOhio to block Ohio from selling its prisons, but he has agreed to hear arguments on the constitutionality of the law that permits the sales. The suit had alleged both along with wanting workers at privatized prisons to be designated as public employees.

USAToday headlines say the ruling permits the state to move ahead with its plans to announce the company or companies that have been awarded contracts to buy and operate the sites later today.

ProgressOhio is that same group that previously sued over Gov. John Kasich's privatization of Ohio's economic development functions has filed a similar lawsuit challenging privatization of five state prisons.

ProgressOhio’s statement on their Private Prisons Lawsuit TRO decision – including a copy of that decision – can be viewed here

The Columbus Dispatch also has an article..