Republicans question Dems' expenses

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -  By ANN SANNER, Associated Press

Ohio House Republicans have asked the state's attorney general and auditor to review legal fees billed to taxpayers by Democrats as part of a citizens' lawsuit over new state legislative districts.

Invoices obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request show Democrats have sought almost $73,000 in taxpayer funds to pay a law firm that's helping to represent the three dozen citizens. It's unclear how much of that amount was for the complaint.

House Republicans say the state should not be paying private citizens' legal fees. Democrats argue it's an appropriate use of money to defend Ohioans against a map they say violates the state constitution.

Questions over the invoices are the latest in a string of claims from both sides that each has mishandled mapmaking duties.