The Visor

Issue 2 designed as savior for Senate Bill 5 victims

October 13, 2011

By Connor Lynch

On November 8, Ohio citizens will vote
on Issue 2, a veto referendum of Ohio
Senate Bill 5, which limits collective bargaining rights for government workers.
Senate Bill 5, signed into law by Gover- nor John Kasich on March 31, has been infor- mally referred to as the “Collective Bargain- ing Bill.” The bill stipulates that Ohio public workers’ rights to collective bargaining would be limited to wages only. This means that gov- ernmental workers would not have rights to bargain for benefits such as health insurance, sick time or pensions. The bill also prohibits workers from striking. Although it was creat- ed in response to Ohio’s fiscal woes, the bill’s opponents argue that it cuts money from the areas workers need it the most.
“When it was passed, our family was wor- ried that my dad would lose his job,” sopho- more Tom Bulgrin said. “Luckily he didn’t, but worrying about it wasn’t fun.”
Ironically, the historic legislation that created collective bargaining rights on a na- tional scale in Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s
New Deal program was enacted during the largest depression America has undergone to date, whereas the Ohio Senate, under Gov- ernor Kasich’s administration, has passed a law banning these rights during a similar time of economic hardship. The law does not, however, affect John Kasich, the members of the Ohio General Assembly, or other elected judges    and    of fice    holders    in    Ohio.
“We ought to let the people that have to pay the bills figure out what the wage settle- ments ought to be, rather than having some wack-a-doodle from California come in and propose some wage settlement,” Kasich said to    the    Canton    Repositor y.
Ohio voters will be able to decide wheth- er they want the stipulations put forth by Sen- ate Bill 5 to remain the law of Ohio. Issue 2 was placed on the ballot throughout the ef- forts of Ohio citizens who collected the sig- natures necessary to place the issue on the ballot this November. This referendum allows the population to directly vote on the law. One Hoban    teacher    par ticipated    in    collecting    sig- natures to put the issue on the ballot.
“Repealing    Senate    Bill    Five    is    impor tant
to me, but I collected signatures from those who I knew would want to see the bill re- pealed,” English teacher Jamie Adaway said. “I never want to offend anybody, but some- times you have to challenge people’s beliefs to do what is right.”
The movement was spearheaded by the political action group We Are Ohio. According to the Associated Press, Governor Kasich has met with We Are Ohio multiple times, but has not to date satisfied the organization.
“The time for compromise has passed,” said a We Are Ohio spokesperson to the As- sociated Press.
Issue 2 has received vehement opposi- tion from supporters of Senate Bill 5, such as BetterOhio.org. These organizations argue that it will promote a more fiscally responsible Ohio.
However, voters must beware when reading literature put forth by groups that either support or criticize Issue 2. Many proj- ect rhetoric, labeling them as facts or busted myths. This perversion of the truth creates massive confusion when voters approach the booths Nov. 8. n

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