November 7, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Senate Bill 5 Will Make Ohio Better

The Post, 11/2

As a long-time public servant, I have a real appreciation for good, much-needed legislation. The fact of the matter is that the issues facing Ohio are not simple. If they were, we would easily find immediate solutions. But the severity of the economic and financial situation facing our state requires action that will make us more competitive and help us to create long-term, stable jobs.

In regard to Senate Bill 5 - a bill that reforms the relationship among public sector unions, employers, and the taxpayers who provide the money to pay public employees - I am sure I have heard nearly every argument for and against this legislation. Both the supporters and opponents of the bill accuse one another of using rhetoric with distortions. But in the end, it's not the words that matter; it's the solution to a problem that matters.

Perhaps the reason why the debate about Senate Bill 5 has been so heated is because, no matter how much we try to avoid it, the problems we are seeking to address appeal to our emotions, and we empathize with those facing layoffs or having to sacrifice more during tough times. Although we may be on different sides of this issue, ultimately we have the same goal in mind - a healthy balance that is fair for everyone, public and private sector alike.

What's also worth noting is the argument that is not heard. Through all of the meetings, testimony, protests, and town halls, very few have put forth the view that we do not face any problem, and very few have ignored the disparities that exist.

The problem that Senate Bill 5 addresses is a very real problem. Our fellow Ohioans who work in the public sector are in a bind. They want to continue believing that their government unions are representing their best interests, while across the state, local governments cannot afford to keep them hired while paying for the expensive array of benefits that are demanded.

They are being laid off by the hundreds. Police officers and firefighters--from Cincinnati to Wilmington, from Columbus to Toledo and Cleveland. Teachers in every corner of the state, but most especially in Cleveland, Dayton and Pickerington. Rather than face problems that are very real, five Teachers of the Year were even left jobless in 2011, because they were subjected to the "last in, first out" provisions. This means they were simply let go because they were the most recent hires of the school district.

It's as though some opponents of the bill would rather see streets go unpaved, watch children struggle for transportation to school, and leave school kids with few extracurricular activities to take part in at the end of the day. This is what happened just recently when Cleveland Public Schools announced that they will be eliminating preschool, spring sports and busing for high school students in order to cut $13 million from their budget. This likely can be avoided with Senate Bill 5 enacted.

We cannot stand for this. Bringing the public and private sectors in line with one another certainly requires some sacrifice, but is the effort today not worth having a financially sustainable and prosperous future?

Senate Bill 5 is more than a bill, and it is more than the answer to a math problem. It's a clear solution to how we can move forward and spare more Ohioans from the hurt of unemployment and a higher tax burden in a struggling economy. I love Ohio and our public servants. I hate to see Ohio at a crossroads such as this. We have a choice in how we are going to right this ship.

If we do not fix the problem now, when will we?

http://thepostnewspapers.com/strongsville/copy_of_from-the-peoples-house-wadsworth-11-5

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October 28, 2011

Column from Rep. Bill Hayes: Keeping Good Teachers on the Job

Whenever I hear about a young teacher being laid off, I think back to an article that ran in the Columbus Dispatch earlier this year. It referred to the Pickerington School District having to let go of a large number of teachers. Five of the teachers that were to be laid off were voted “Teacher of the Year” by their respective schools within the district.

The unfortunate story stemmed from Pickerington’s “last in, first out” policy, which determines all layoff decisions based on tenure. Simply stated, those with the least seniority are the first to go.

Senate Bill 5 implements a performance-based pay policy. That is, instead of all staffing decisions being decided by who has been on the job the longest, schools will also have the ability to look at someone’s talents. This would surely give schools a better opportunity to hold onto good teachers, such as those who are nominated “Teacher of the Year.”

But perhaps the bigger issue with the situation in Pickerington was that it was forced to lay off 17 percent of its teaching staff. When a school is near the verge of laying off one-fifth of its staff, then we are no longer only talking about young teachers. In fact, one of the laid off teachers had worked at the school for eight years.

The reason such drastic staff reductions were needed was because the school district had to cut $13 million from its budget. Schools all over the state have faced similar financial realities, and the loss of teaching jobs has been the result.

However, instead of making cuts solely by laying off teachers—which negatively impacts our children’s educations—Senate Bill 5 includes provisions that gives school districts greater flexibility over their budgets. Requiring that all school employees pay slightly more toward their healthcare and retirement frees up space for schools to keep more teachers on staff.

We should do whatever we can to keep good teachers in our schools. The simple, common-sense provisions in Senate Bill 5 will help make that possible.

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October 25, 2011

Column from Speaker Batchelder in the Post: Reasonable steps to save jobs

The Post, 10/18

When the 129th General Assembly was first called to session, Ohio was facing an $8 billion deficit. Small businesses were finding it difficult to meet a competitive bottom line, leaving workers to face the reality of being laid off or accepting pay cuts. This placed added budgetary constraints on families throughout the state. The same was true for school districts and local governments - the taxpayers they depend on to keep things running were having trouble keeping up. With our economy in such a rut, it was clear that it was time for the state government to reevaluate the way it managed its budget.

The best way to establish a strong, healthy economy is to keep people working. This is true not only in the private sector, but for public employees as well. They pay taxes, patronize businesses and support local school districts, just like their private sector neighbors. That basic understanding was the inspiration for Senate Bill 5 -- an effort to revive a once-thriving economy by preserving jobs, both private and public.

Unfortunately, the preservation of public sector jobs has not been a common reality in recent years. With built-in demands for healthcare and retirement benefits quickly exceeding what can be afforded, school districts and local governments have had to lay off workers in order to balance their books. This often results in young public workers losing their jobs, and, because they on average earn less than their more experienced coworkers, it has required a greater number of layoffs to reach the balanced budget.

Our solution updates the collective bargaining system for public employees in our state, which has been in place and gone mostly unchanged for almost 30 years. Above all else, it is an attempt to restore balance between all workers in Ohio. It requires public employees to pay at least 15 percent toward healthcare and 10 percent toward their pensions. Because public employee salaries are first earned in the private sector, their salaries and benefits must reflect what is earned by private workers.

The bill also introduces some reasonable changes to collective bargaining, in order to give schools and municipalities more flexibility in dealing with tightening budgets. Public employees, such as teachers and safety workers, will still be able to bargain for wages, hours and conditions of employment. The new process will be more transparent because it will give taxpayers -- the people footing the bill--a seat at the table and a voice for how their tax dollars are spent.

I know that my colleagues in the Ohio House -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- benefit from the work of our public servants. They are vital to keeping our streets safe and our schools running efficiently. But these changes are critical to fostering an economy that works for the best interest of all Ohio workers.

I supported Senate Bill 5 because it proposes honest and reasonable changes to the way governments manage taxpayer money, while at the same preserving the jobs of our valuable public employees.

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October 18, 2011

Column from Rep. Henne: Senate Bill 5 Has Positive Impact for Teachers

A question I have heard a lot over the past couple months is, “How will Senate Bill 5 affect teachers?” Often, the people asking the question do not show anger or frustration or cynicism. They simply want to know the truth.

Although the bill has been described as many things, it really is an attempt to save public sector jobs. At the same time, however, we all must understand that times have changed, and our economy is in a rut. I, along with my colleagues in the legislature, believe in the greatness of this state and know that better times are ahead, but we also know that, in order for this vision to become reality, reasonable changes must be made.

Senate Bill 5 requires that all public sector employees, teachers included, pay a minimal amount—which many already do—toward their healthcare and retirement benefits. This can free up budget space for school districts to keep more teachers on the staff, instead of the recent alternative of laying off teachers in order to provide for generous—and sometimes outlandish—benefits demanded by the unions.

What has perhaps attracted the most debate, however, is the changes in the bill relating to collective bargaining. This has led some people to ask whether the determination of teachers’ salaries will be completely out of the teachers’ control. Some have even questioned the implementation of maximum wages for teachers. These are all false rumors. While SB 5 alters part of the collective bargaining process, negotiations over wages, hours and working conditions will remain intact. In other words, teachers will still have the ability to collectively bargain over their salaries.

Senate Bill 5 also provides a better balance of fairness for all teachers by implementing a performance-based pay system. In the past, it has been common practice to automatically lay off young teachers when facing a tight budget—often referred to as the “last-hired, first-fired” policy. The bill does not specifically define the standards for performance-based pay; these specifications will still be part of the collective bargaining process. Therefore, teachers will have a strong voice in determining what the conditions will be.

Teachers are not the problem, but part of the solution. We know that nothing, other than socio-economics, is more important than an effective teacher in front of the class of students. We understand the invaluable part they play in our society—people who have the challenging and often thankless job of educating the future leaders of our country. It is critically important that we are doing all we can to put forward the best we have.

We have a representative government, and as the elected official, it is my job to learn each bill, listen to both sides and make a decision. It is now the public’s responsibility to understand the bill, which likely will not happen by simply listening to the rhetoric on TV and radio. I encourage everyone to read the bill, or at least an official analysis of it. If you are tired of listening to politicians talking back-and-forth about what SB 5 does and doesn’t do, then take the time to do your own homework. It is important that you inform yourself about the issues and challenges facing Ohio, and to understand why certain changes are necessary.

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October 17, 2011

Column from Rep. Nan Baker: Making Fair Adjustments to Save Jobs

From the beginning of the 129th General Assembly, our goal in state government was to foster an economic environment in the State of Ohio conducive to job creation and to put in place ways that would help us climb out of our $8 billion deficit. I feel that we have made many positive steps toward achieving these goals, but I know that our job is not complete. One piece of legislation that would greatly benefit our state’s economy and the taxpayers that support it is Senate Bill 5, which will be on the ballot this November.

Senate Bill 5 introduces changes that our state needs in order to move forward through these challenging economic times. Our current collective bargaining system has gone mostly unchanged since its implementation in 1983. During that time, union demands have continued to expand, reaching the point where taxpayers simply can no longer sustain it.

While SB 5 aims to bring much-needed relief to private sector taxpayers, it will also have lasting positive effects in the public sector. In recent years, local governments and school districts have had no choice but to lay off valuable workers—firefighters, police officers, teachers—because they no longer have room in their budgets to support the generous benefits and pensions that government unions have bargained for. With increased strain being placed on taxpayers, we have unfortunately seen a lot of people leave Ohio for other, more tax-friendly states. A clear indication of this is the fact that Ohio is losing two representatives in Congress.

Fewer citizens living in the state leads to less revenue for local governments. It would be unfair to exclude public employees from this example. They also pay taxes that help fund our cities, our state and our economy in general. For this reason, it is critical that we keep public employees working. Reasonable changes to collective bargaining, healthcare and pension contributions will help maintain strong numbers in our public workforce.

One thing that cannot be overlooked in this debate is the effect that the current system has on our children. Our teachers do a great job of educating the future leaders of our state and nation. But recently, schools have been forced to lay off good teachers and eliminate important extracurricular programs in order to balance their budgets. Furthermore, schools have had to rely more heavily on passing levies—asking taxpayers throughout the district to give more each time.

As families deal with layoffs, wage freezes and tighter budgets, passing these levies has become increasingly difficult. Laying off teachers—many of whom have kids of their own—only makes the situation worse.

Therefore, one thing about Senate Bill 5 that must be taken into consideration, and one thing that has unfortunately been mostly overlooked, is the positive impact it will have on public employees. The goal is not to reduce the size of our public workforce, but rather to sustain it and make it stronger. Before this can happen, however, we must give local governments and school districts greater flexibility over their budgets, so they can afford to hold onto more of their valuable employees.

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October 13, 2011

Rep. Buchy's October legislative update

Rep. Jim Buchy discusses Senate Bill 5 and the Legislature's efforts to create jobs.

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October 6, 2011

Column from Rep. Bill Hayes: Providing Relief for Ohio Taxpayers

Changing public opinion on an issue is not an easy task, especially when that issue has been politicized to the degree that Senate Bill 5 has. But I think much of the opposition that has gathered against the bill has been based on emotion and not on the reality of our current situation. Opposition groups are more than happy to foster this emotion and fear because it provides them an easy way to avoid discussing the many common-sense measures within SB 5 that will improve Ohio.

Ohio’s collective bargaining system has remained almost entirely unchanged since its inception in the early 1980s. In the 30 years since, government unions have successfully bargained local governments for greater benefits and more funding. This process has made government more expensive to operate and maintain, which has been passed down to citizens through tax increases.

Abiding by the demands of government unions can present challenges when the economy is good, but in a struggling economy—as we now find ourselves in—these demands can lead to immense fiscal strain on local governments and taxpayers.

There seems to be a disconnect between the people bargaining for more benefits and private citizens—the people actually funding the system. It is important for everyone to understand that, during the negotiating process, unions bargain for taxpayer money, which was earned in the private sector. The existence of government acting as a buffer zone between government unions and taxpayers makes the process even less transparent. Therefore, not only does the public not have a say in how this money is being spent, but many times it doesn’t even know when these negotiations are happening.

With the existence of a system like this, it becomes that much easier for unions to demand contract perks such as guaranteed step salary increases and nearly across-the-board coverage of healthcare benefits and pension contributions. In fact, the private sector, while paying an average of 31 percent toward its own healthcare coverage, also pays for more than 90 percent for public employees’ coverage.

Senate Bill 5 will help local governments throughout Ohio control their costs by restoring balance to the negotiating process. Some people view the argument about restoring balance between private and public sectors as targeting a select group of people, but in reality, this balance must be restored in order to save public sector jobs. The sluggishness of the economy has resulted in private sector workers losing their jobs and taking salary cuts, which leads to fewer taxes—less revenue—being collected by government.

Nonetheless, under the current collective bargaining law, unions still expect government to pay out the same, if not more, in benefits as it has before. This obviously places tight constraints on the budgets of local governments. The status quo is unsustainable and eventually, when the money runs out, will lead to job losses in the public sector.

That is why the reforms presented in Senate Bill 5 are critical. The Department of Administrative Services estimated that SB 5 will save Ohio about $190 million in fiscal year 2013, as well as an additional $1 billion for local governments. Simple changes to an outdated and unsustainable system can go a long way in restoring economic opportunity and providing relief to the overburdened taxpayers in our great state.

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September 22, 2011

Column from Rep. Wachtmann: Let’s Stop Ignoring Economic Reality

Critics of Senate Bill 5 often resort to the argument that public workers are underpaid. Every day, we hear rhetoric about “saving the middle class” and are told that SB 5 will destroy working families. Although these arguments apparently energize the left-wing base, they have no factual foundation supporting them.

A recent report prepared for the Ohio Business Roundtable found data that works in direct opposition to many of the government unions’ claims regarding the salaries of public employees. The report concluded that, over the course of their lifetime, public employees on average make 43 percent more in compensation than their peers in the private sector.

As opposed to earlier research, the roundtable report accounted for factors such as retiree health benefits, retirement pensions and job security. Although public employees earn slightly less in salary than private workers, their benefits after retiring are more than twice as good.

But union bosses prefer to ignore these statistics because the facts work contrary to their goals. In order for them to successfully negotiate for elaborate benefits, they must always be perceived as being underprivileged and under-appreciated. As union leaders try to paint the picture of their rights being under siege, they are intentionally ignoring economic reality. There is a key difference between how public workers and private workers earn their salaries.

Private workers’ salaries depend on market demand. The size of their paychecks depends on their ability to bring a product to market that people want to buy. That is, they must compete for a consumer’s business. Public sector workers, on the other hand, do not play by the same set of rules and, thus, do not generate wealth. Their salaries must first be earned in the private sector and then paid by the taxpayers.

If private sector earnings—the source of all government revenue—take a hit, then it makes sense for all beneficiaries of that wealth to also share in the sacrifice. The money coming in cannot keep up with the money going out. Despite what unions and others on the left would like us to believe, this system simply cannot be sustained because there is too much strain being placed on dwindling funds.

Never would it be responsible, nor economically competent, to allow expenditures to surpass revenues. The consequences of this brand of governing should be obvious. You can’t milk a dry cow.

But some union leaders and politicians remain committed to their talking points that imply that the middle class will meet certain death should Senate Bill 5 be instituted. They should be reminded that the vast majority of Ohio’s middle class—which does not work in the public sector—is already hurting in part because of the actions of irresponsible negotiating between government and unions.

Senate Bill 5 provides ways for local governments to once again manage their budgets and eases the strain placed upon them by unyielding public unions. This, in turn, will actually save public sector jobs because employers will no longer be forced to choose between providing workers elaborate benefits and dropping them from the payroll altogether, which often unfairly harms young workers. Opponents of Senate Bill 5 will continue launching attacks about how Republicans want to destroy middle class families, while failing to understand that they are greatly to blame for the destruction that is already taking place.

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Letter from Rep. Sears to the Youngstown Vindicator: Republicans weren’t ‘acting’

Youngstown Vindicator, 9/16/2011
Republicans weren’t ‘acting’

An editorial a few weeks ago called, “Ohio Republicans are to blame for partisan tone in Columbus,” attempted to paint Republicans as opponents of negotiation. However, that argument runs afoul with the facts.

That editorial described Republicans reaction to the absence of unions at the negotiating table as “just an act.” I hardly believe that anyone would be truly shocked that government union leadership in Columbus would be unwilling to negotiate. This is how the process has worked from day one, when one union would want to talk another would not let them. Regardless of what they want you to believe, it has been the unions—not the Republicans—who have opposed open talks about the bill.

It is disingenuous for government union leadership in Columbus to demand compromise in one breath and then refuse it the next, when the doors were clearly opened. Senate President Niehaus aptly described the unions’ call for repeal as an “ultimatum, not a negotiation.” The fact is that the unions’ steadfast belief in the importance of negotiating was mere words without action.

The action of government union leadership in Columbus proves that their primary interest is not public employees. If SB 5 is indeed so bad for these employees, then surely the unions would be willing to do everything in their power to minimize the effects of the bill. They are hurting the very people they claim to want to protect by refusing to meet with Republican leaders. Moreover, Democrat Representatives and Senators took away the voice of those they have a duty to represent.

The truth is that SB 5 is necessary to rein in government spending to stabilize the budgets of local governments. The unions should tell their members that SB 5 reforms collective bargaining, but it also helps them keep their job. Union leadership understands this fact and yet they are unwilling to negotiate.

Overall, I think it was appropriate to reach out in one last attempt to talk prior to the deadline. I would suggest it was more than was offered in 1983 when collective bargaining raced through the Democratic controlled House, Senate, and executive branch.

State Rep. Barbara Sears, Sylvania

The writer is a Republican representing the 46th District near Toledo and is assistant House majority floor leader.


http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/16/george-will-ignores-some-facts/

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September 15, 2011

Letter to the editor from Rep. Damschroder: Bell shows political backbone

Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, 9/10
"Bell shows political backbone"

It was encouraging to see Toledo Mayor Mike Bell voiced support for Senate Bill 5, an announcement that occurred after a local public employee union rejected a compromise to help the city of Toledo remain solvent. He became the first major city mayor in Ohio to officially endorse the legislation, and I am confident his courage and willingness to take a stand will open the door for other public leaders to step forward and support the bill as well.

He recently explained his city's situation in a meeting with The (Toledo) Blade editorial board: "I'm the administrator of a city that is financially strapped and I need to be able to have the tools in the box to balance the budget."

While he was referring only to Toledo, he could have been speaking on behalf of countless Ohio cities and towns. Mayor Bell is trying to do what is best for Toledo, and he understands the provisions in Senate Bill 5 will help local governments operate within their means.

His endorsement of SB 5 likely will be met with opposition by those seeking to maintain the status quo. Some already have tried to diminish his words as merely being just one man's opinion, but Mayor Bell knows the circumstances facing Toledo and northwest Ohio because he has experienced both sides of the debate. As a former Ohio fire marshal and Toledo fire chief and now as a mayor, he understands how these negotiations work and undoubtedly has noticed ways in which the system can be adjusted and improved. For someone with his background to show public support for Senate Bill 5 speaks volumes for how the bill will benefit local governments and private and public employees.

Mayor Bell may be chastised by his opponents, but his political backbone in standing up and doing what was right for his community is truly admirable.

State Rep. Rex Damschroder,

81st Ohio House District

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September 14, 2011

Column from Rep. Newbold: SB 5 Proposes Necessary Reforms for Ohio

Odds are, if you engage in a conversation about Ohio politics, it won’t take long before someone will bring up Senate Bill 5. It certainly has received a lot of attention throughout the state in newspapers and on television. While issues about our future, such as collective bargaining reform, performance-based pay and government unions, are discussed and debated within Ohio, some states have already made changes like those laid out in Senate Bill 5.

Indiana, New Jersey and Wisconsin are just a few examples of states that have responded to their fiscal hardships by reining in out-of-control spending and granting greater budget flexibility to their local governments. These measures have already yielded positive results.

This has especially been true in Wisconsin, which passed legislation very similar to SB 5 in the spring. Like in Ohio, government union leaders spent a great deal of time, energy and money distorting the truth about what was in the law. Democratic legislators even fled the state in order to postpone a vote on the bill.

But after the law was enacted, people began to see positive changes, such as in the Kaukauna public school district, which, prior to the signing of the law, faced a $400,000 budget deficit. Under the new law, teachers were asked to pay a little more toward their retirement pensions and healthcare benefits, but were also given more freedom when shopping for their health insurance because the school district was no longer beholden to the health packages demanded by the union. Now, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Kaukauna school district is running about a $1.5 million surplus.

Ohio is facing many of the same problems as other states, including Wisconsin. In response to the recession, private sector employees have accepted wage freezes or pay cuts, have paid higher health insurance premiums and even lost their jobs. In this time, however, government workers simply have not had to deal with these harsh realities to the same extent as the people paying their salaries. Their jobs are, for the most part, protected because they do not work in a business climate based on competition. Of course these jobs are important, but they must be funded responsibly and realistically, which means that in tough economic times, they must be asked to share in the sacrifice as well.

Senate Bill 5 will go a long way in solving the state’s problems. Without it, taxpayers would continue covering about 90 percent of healthcare costs for public employees, while at the same time paying upwards of 30 percent (and sometimes more) for their own individual health coverage.

Likewise, without SB 5, these same taxpayers will continue to have no say in the collective bargaining negotiating process. Unlike what many opponents of the bill have claimed, SB 5 does not eliminate collective bargaining—public employees are still able to negotiate for hours, wages and workplace conditions, such as safety. But all citizens deserve to know what happens during these negotiations because they are the ones paying for it. SB 5 provides greater transparency to this process, so people know how their tax money is being spent.

Not implementing the provisions included in Senate Bill 5 will result in an already financially strapped state, desperately in need of jobs, placing excessive burdens on its taxpayers, which is a big reason why Ohio fell into the mess it is currently in. However, by making some simple, common-sense changes to the way tax dollars are bargained for and spent, we will see positive changes to our school districts, our local governments and our state’s economy. Similar changes have worked elsewhere, and they can work in Ohio as well.

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August 29, 2011

Rep. Rosenberger: SB 5 restores much-needed balance

Anyone who has been following politics on the national scene has heard the word “balance” thrown around a lot. Everyone—from the president to members of Congress to political pundits—is saying that a balanced approach must be used to solve the problems facing our country.

Balance can also be used here in Ohio when talking about legislation such as Senate Bill 5. Unfortunately, much of the information that has surfaced regarding the bill has been anything but balanced. Opponents claim the bill will “break the backs of the middle class,” but this statement is completely untrue.

In reality, SB 5 brings us closer to balancing the vast disparity between what public employees pay toward their pensions and healthcare benefits compared to what private-sector workers pay. Under the current system, some public employees pay less than 10 percent of their healthcare premiums, while private-sector workers pay about 23 percent. SB 5 increases public employees’ contributions to 15 percent, which is still far less than the average in the private sector.

By implementing responsible reforms to our government spending, SB 5 will give local governments and school districts more flexibility when managing their funds, especially when facing layoffs of our public employees. This bill will save jobs for our dedicated teachers, police officers and firefighters by giving employers other options besides just firing our best workers.

The common-sense provisions in SB 5 will get government costs under control and grant more freedom to local governments and taxpayers at a time when balance is more crucial than ever.

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August 16, 2011

Rep. Newbold: Don't punish majority of Ohioans

Letter to the editor from Rep. Newbold in the Salem News, 8/14/2011
"Don't punish majority of Ohioans"

To the editor: I am writing today to address your readers and the residents of Columbiana County who find themselves soaked in taxes, seeking employment or finding it hard to put food on the table for their families. I want to assure you that thanks to the legislature's efforts to control state and local taxes, relief is on the way.

As the founder of several businesses, I understand the importance of balance-balance between spending and profits, balance in creating jobs and offering fair but manageable wages, and balance when expanding or saving for a rainy day. In order to keep their doors open, employers must be able to reduce overhead or freeze employee salaries during difficult times.

However, many public-sector employees enjoy consistently generous benefits and automatic pay raises at the expense of the taxpayers who find themselves paying for their own benefits as well as someone else's Cadillac plans. Private-sector workers contribute on average 23 percent toward their health care benefits. Public employees, on the other hand, often contribute less than 10 percent-and unlike those who work for private businesses, the public sector has the benefit of repeatedly tapping Ohioans to pay for these luxuries.

Senate Bill 5 has restored a responsible, fair balance by requiring public employees to pay at least 15 percent toward health benefits, which would still be far less than their private-sector neighbors. The provisions in the bill are merely common-sense initiatives that grant relief to taxpayers and balance the sacrifices made by all Ohioans.

With so many Ohioans unemployed or struggling to make ends meet, we need to ensure that we are not punishing the vast majority to appease a slim few.

STATE REP CRAIG NEWBOLD, Columbus

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August 11, 2011

Rep. Andy Thompson: Know the facts about Senate Bill 5

Letter to the editor in the Marietta Times (8/11/2011)
Know the facts about Senate Bill 5

As debate about Senate Bill 5 continues, the opponents of this bill have done a good job of framing these responsible, cost-saving reforms as an "attack on the middle class." They know it is their best opportunity to sway public opinion to their side-so they, at best, ignore the truth or, at worst, mislead altogether.

They would like you to believe that collective bargaining is being completely taken away from public workers, which is simply not true. SB 5 does not eliminate a public employee's right to collectively bargain; it merely places reasonable cost-containment measures on issues such as public employees' healthcare and pension contributions. Public workers will still be able to bargain for their hours and wages and, for public safety and law enforcement, safety equipment can also be subject to collective bargaining discussion.

Additionally, SB 5 makes labor negotiations more transparent. Currently, much of these negotiations happens behind closed doors. It is important for the public to know what happens at the bargaining table because, after all, it is their money that will ultimately be affected. SB 5 reserves a seat at the table for taxpayers and allows them to see how their own money is being spent and whether that money is being spent efficiently.

In addition to being a legislator who voted for SB 5, I am also a small business owner and-most importantly-a father. I see these reasonable reforms as an important step toward strengthening our communities, reducing our tax burden and improving public services by ensuring that our classrooms, patrol cars and fire stations are staffed with the most qualified individuals.

By implementing the policies in SB 5, Ohio will join other states, including Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey, in returning to a responsible government, where the public has a voice in determining how its taxpayer money is spent.

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Rep. Kristina Roegner discusses Senate Bill 5

As a mother of three daughters and a lifelong Ohioan, I am very pleased that Ohio is pursuing collective bargaining reform, which will not only save tax dollars and help our local governments maintain high-quality services, but it will also improve schools for our children. Through Senate Bill 5, we took an unprecedented step toward modernizing Ohio’s education system and giving our future workforce a competitive edge.

The most important factor of our students’ success is staffing our schools with talented teachers. This legislation ensures that our students are being taught by the best teachers by permitting school districts to consider the performance of teachers when hiring and determining pay scales—rather than only considering seniority. While seniority may still be a factor in these decisions, it will no longer be the sole determinant of an educator’s merit.

Most importantly, school districts have the flexibility to appropriately negotiate teacher salaries and benefits. This will help to save the districts money and help to avoid mass layoffs when districts simply cannot afford the pricy terms of union contracts.

My top priorities as a state representative are protecting jobs, reducing the size and spending of government, as well as providing a quality education for our children. Senate Bill 5 accomplishes ALL of these objectives and is a vital first step toward a more competitive state economy.

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July 21, 2011

Column from Rep. Newbold: Reinventing Collective Bargaining in Ohio

At the start of the new General Assembly in January, I came to Columbus with the intention to do the right thing regardless of its political impact, not to take the path of least resistance in concern to our state’s future. Over the past several months, the state legislature has had the rare opportunity to explore ideas that reinvent the way the State of Ohio does business.

One such opportunity has come with the passage of Senate Bill 5, legislation that updates the relationship between taxpayers, local government and public-sector unions. Senate Bill 5 not only acknowledges that our current state and local budgets are in crisis, but it also prepares us for possible budget shortfalls down the road by enacting lasting cost-saving improvements. It is a long-term solution to an increasingly burgeoning financial burden that has contributed to Ohio’s fiscal problems.

Collective bargaining law for government employees was enacted in 1983, and since that time, state and local union members have remained relatively untouched. While the average private-sector employee pays 23 percent toward their health care, public-sector employees on average pay a sliver of this cost. Senate Bill 5 brings the public-sector more in line with the private-sector in terms of privileges and expenses.

There is also disparity between public and private-sector salaries in Columbiana County. Based on current data as reported by the Buckeye Institute, average annual salaries are $28,880.00 for private industry employees, $32,880.00 for local public employees and $39,508.14 for state public employees—which doesn’t even take into account the luxury benefit plans that public employees receive. This unbalanced trend is no longer sustainable because we continue to hemorrhage families and entrepreneurs while our tax rates continue to rise.

Senate Bill 5 is simply a viable answer to this discrepancy that has put strain on Ohio’s taxpayers and our local governments. Therefore, what is most troubling to me is the misinformation that has been circling surrounding the actual provisions of Senate Bill 5. The legislation does not eliminate collective bargaining altogether; public employees may still bargain for hours, wages, and terms of employment. Furthermore, safety personnel are still permitted to bargain over safety equipment, and it does not mandate any salary cuts. In actuality, SB 5 will protect public workers from mass layoffs due to costly, inflexible contracts when employers lack other options for balancing their budgets.

Approximately 7 percent of Ohio’s workforce consists of public employees in unions. That amounts to about 360,000 individuals of Ohio’s population of more than 11.5 million. Local governments can no longer afford the unwieldy demands of public union bosses and their hard line contracts. The system has needed to be restructured for some time now. I believe that in protecting collective bargaining privileges and giving local governments more flexibility, Senate Bill 5 strikes a smart balance.

Given its controversy, it was not an easy decision to support Senate Bill 5, but I believe that the bill will have a positive impact on the vast majority of our county and Ohio as a whole. All Ohioans will benefit from this legislation because it will largely eliminate the disparity between the public and private sector and, more importantly, restore balance to the collective bargaining system.

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April 27, 2011

Rep. Kristina Roegner featured on Ohio in Focus.

Rep. Kristina Roegner is featured on Ohio in Focus.

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April 15, 2011

Column from Rep. Andy Thompson: The Senate Bill 5 Conundrum

Throughout the first hundred days of this General Assembly, I have continually focused my efforts on legislation that will strengthen our economy, balance our budget, create jobs and lead to prosperity. With the shortage of money we have as a state, we have been making diligent efforts to close the budget gap without raising taxes on Ohioans who cannot afford it during these tough times.

Local government costs have skyrocketed. As the situation has gotten progressively worse and spending has not been contained—with less state money to go around to local government bodies—we’ve recently passed legislation aimed at reinventing the relationship between public-sector unions, their employers and local taxpayers. This legislation—Senate Bill 5—certainly does not come without strong emotion and heated rhetoric, regardless of the side you’re on.

It saddens me that much of the anger and disappointment over this bill has been based not on the facts of the legislation but on misinformation that has been spread. This was made even clearer to me when a local teacher (who had concerns about the bill) recently visited my home.

In the course of our discussion, I learned that much of what she thought the legislation contained was actually not a part of the bill. She displayed a chart she’d received, which purported to show that her salary would be cut in half. I reassured her that this was not the case. Another teacher reported to me that her pension was going to be “taken away.” That too was untrue, I informed her.

These encounters heightened my concerns about the misinformation the public employees were being given by their unions. As a way to counter this misinformation, our caucus at the Ohio House launched SB5truth.com, which I encourage you to explore over the coming months. SB5truth.com allows you to see that the reality that is in Senate Bill 5 is much different than what is being portrayed. For instance, did you know that S.B.5 actually does not eliminate collective bargaining, that it does not mandate salary reductions or cuts in benefits for any public employee, and that it does not threaten the ability of hard-working, middle-class families to earn a living?

I also encourage you, if you are computer savvy, to visit some of the newspaper websites around the state. You’ll find many editorials praising the reforms included in Senate Bill 5as responsible steps in the right direction for Ohio. While I’m merely one of many sources of information regarding this bill, it may work best for you to read the bill, and you can do so by visiting www.legislature.state.oh.us. You may conclude, as I have, that it was a very responsible way to address the unsustainable costs that would have eventually led to massive layoffs and a deterioration of public services in our communities.

As your representative, I have a responsibility to ensure Ohio’s laws are beneficial to all families. Those on the other side of this issue do not share my desire to look after the interests of all of the taxpaying citizens of the 93rd House District. That is why I find it particularly appalling that the Ohio Education Association is considering punishing its members by forcing them to pay for the campaign against Senate Bill 5. It is placing the burden of its $20 million campaign on their backs and has even threatened to raise union dues to pay for it. It is unacceptable that our teachers’ hard-earned dollars are going to this purpose without their written consent. This is a slap in the face not only to the free speech of all Ohioans, but especially to those working in our schools.

I am happy that Senate Bill 5 will address these concerns with the way public unions operate and treat their members. I am pleased that we have found an acceptable way of addressing the manner in which taxpayer funds are spent, and we did so without kicking the can down the road as past legislatures and governors had.

This is ultimately about the Ohio we want for our children and grand-children. Will massive amounts of money be spent beyond our control or will the people, at-large, have the ultimate say in the process? I hope you’ll join me in supporting this legislation and the vast majority of Ohioans who are on the side of a responsible and efficient government.

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April 4, 2011

Rep. Ron Amstutz featured on Ohio in Focus

Rep. Ron Amstutz was featured on Ohio in Focus.

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