COMMENTARY | Voting "Yes" on Issue 2 this fall supports the fiscally responsible initiatives contained in Ohio Senate Bill 5. Union fear-mongering caused public employees around the state to quake in their shoes, worrying how they will feed their families and pay for mortgages.
Erroneous and inflammatory statements made by We Are Ohio representative Melissa Fazekas and the liberal ProgressOhio group leave many taxpayers stymied over the intent of the bill. Once the SB5 measures are enacted, Ohio taxpayers will save money, public employees will still earn a living wage and spending decisions will be controlled at the local level.
Top Three Reasons to Support Ohio Senate Bill 5
Elimination of Costly Binding Arbitration
The process of binding arbitration does not benefit local taxpayers or improve services provided by public employees. Taxpayers are forced to pay for union contracts which are not affordable. The ability of a school district to afford a presented contract is not a major factor during the binding arbitration process. Senate Bill 5 will place contract dispute decisions directly into the hands of lawmakers elected by the taxpayers. For the first time, Ohioans will have the ability to "fire" those who enter into contracts deemed either too expensive or unfair to workers when they visit their local polling place. A faceless arbitrator simply settles a dispute and then moves onto the next case, without concern for local economic impact.
Elimination of Teacher Tenure
Ohio public school children will not be forced to endure instruction by teachers who are not deemed capable by a streamlined evaluation process. Collective bargaining protection known as "tenure" protects teachers who receive poor evaluations and reprimands. The case of Eric B. Brentlinger perfectly demonstrates the problems with "tenured" teachers. Brentlinger was reprimanded in 1989 for abusive actions toward students. The educator received subsequent reprimands through 2006 when the administration offered a "last chance" written agreement which detailed the need to stop "manhandling," yelling and pushing the special needs students in his classroom. Brentlinger was offered another "last chance" in 2007 after challenging a student to a fight. The district administration moved him to a position in a textbook warehouse until he was rehired for a classroom vacancy in 2010. There is no other career path besides teaching which allows an employee to keep their job regardless of performance or threats of physical violence to minors.
Local Control
Despite what union spokespeople are saying, collective bargaining will not be eliminated. Ohio Issue 2 will simply reform the 30-year-old law. Since passage of the law a bevy of federal laws have been passed which protect public employees from discrimination, wage improprieties and unsafe workplaces; issues which collective bargaining was initially designed to address. Public workers will still have the right to bargain as a group for hours, wages and conditions of employment. Ohio Senate Bill 5 creates a balanced approach between the desires of governmental workers and the ability of Ohio taxpayers to fund services. Local school districts and communities will truly be in the driver's seat when it comes to making financial and employment decisions. Taxpayers can share their views with decision makers during school board meetings and choose to "hire" board members who make fair and fiscally responsible decisions during the election process.
Tara Dodrill is a political, eco-green and travel writer. She is a real estate agent and former elected official, public school employee and coach from Ohio who has worked as a newspaper journalist, editor and photographer for magazines and online media outlets. Follow Tara on Twitter.
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