Union bill whizzing through Ohio Legislature

[ellenrr]

Source: AP

Thu Mar 3, 2:28 am ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio – While much of the nation's attention remains focused on a stalled proposal in Wisconsin to restrict collective bargaining rights for public workers, an Ohio measure that in some ways is tougher and broader is speeding toward reality.

A Senate panel and then the full chamber approved the Ohio measure Wednesday amid jeers from onlookers. The bill would restrict the collective bargaining rights of roughly 350,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees, while Wisconsin's would affect about 175,000 workers and exempt police and firefighters.

"For as far-reaching this thing is and how many lives it will affect, I can't believe how fast it moved," said Columbus Police Sgt. Shaun Laird, who wanted lawmakers to spend more time debating the changes.

Wisconsin's bill remains in limbo after Democrats hightailed it for the Illinois border on the day the Senate was to adopt the bill. Their absence left the chamber one member short of the quorum needed for a vote.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110303/ap_on_re_us/us_ohio_union_fight

[xchrom]

1. ...

:mad:

[liberal N proud]

2. Slipped it through while the nation is focused on Wisconsin

We knew this thing was there two weeks ago as the attacks on the middle class raged in Wisconsin. But no one here in Ohio was interested in until Oh-shit!

[Vinee]

3. this is politics at its worst.

The ugliness is just getting started.

[dgibby]

6. This is war on the middle class. n/t

[Vinee]

12. The ohio middle class just became so many pawns in a political war.

[OHdem10]

4. Passed in a Sleezy way. According to Lawrence O'Donnell:

In Ohio Legislature, A Bill must pass through 2 comittees
before it can be brought to floor. You must realize that
were Republican Defections here in Ohio and it took some
questionable moves to get it passed by ONE Vote Margin.

In the first committee, the bill was not going to pass.
Not enough Republican votes. Simple; Just remove
the person holding out against the bill from the Committee
Assign a New Member to the Committee (who will vote for
the darn bill).

This happened in both committees. Members who were against
the bill removed from their committee assignment and new
members put on the committee. Rather corrupt appearing
way to do business.

The Bill passes the Senate by One Vote. Still has to go
to the House for a vote and to the Govenor for signing.

Ohio has majority Republicans in both House

Sometimes people win battles and lose wars. This may
be a terrific opening for Democrats if they get their
act together.

[NOLALady]

5. It may be time for a general strike

in Ohio.

[buckrogers1965]

34. Time for a nation wide general strike.

Shut everything down for a week to show who has the power.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. No large protests in Ohio????

[OHdem10]

9. Protests just as large as Wisconsin--where have

you been??

Tunnel vision, eh??? Just kidding.

[DBoon]

15. certainly no "tele vision"

you'd never know from the sound of crickets chirping in the main stream media

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. That was why I questioning the comment about no protests...I thought I had read there were.

We have no tv, not that it matters under the media control.
Guess Ohio did not occupy the statehouse.

btw..have you noticed that union busting is going on all over the world? Europe, esp. Greece, Ireland, etc.

[OHdem10]

18. The statehouse was packed for days. and also the grounds

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. But the MF*** passed it anyway.....curses.

Does Ohio have recall laws????

[we can do it]

29. No Recall Laws - Pukes Have Large Majority So No Leaving the State

[Deep13]

10. Gigantic.

Thousands at the state house plus LTTE, phone calls and emails to state senators.

[we can do it]

31. As Well As Other Protest Thoughout the State

[we can do it]

26. Apparently You Watch Corporate News

Several of us have been posting on this for weeks, but there is no pizza shop to call so.................forgot smilie

[obamafourmore]

8. People get what they deserve. Including Democrats who stayed home in November

To punish Obama. Enjoy.

[Deep13]

11. Go to hell.

No one stayed home to punish Obama. The swing voters wanted "change" and kicked out our reasonable governor and gave the House to Rs.

[jacquelope]

20. I believe turnout was in fact lower in 2010

than it was in 2008, at least for groups that traditionally support Democrats.

http://socialcapital.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/2010-voter-turnout-up-but-not-for-youth-and%C2%A0blacks/

But the bad news is what voices are being heard or not heard. Voting turnout rates were down among young voters (18-29) and blacks made up a lower percentage of voters in 2010 than in 2008 when Obama’s candidacy excited African-Americans to vote. For example, blacks made up 12% of voters in 2008 and appeared to make up just 10% of voters in 2010 (based on exit polls)....


It is not insane to say some liberals did stay home in 2010. But did they deserve what they got? I won't get into that.

[Deep13]

22. Obama fired up the base in 2008.

That base was disillusioned with him in 2010. I can't speak for every last voter, but I have to think it was disappointment and not a deliberate decision to punish POTUS that kept them hope.

My wife and I are as disgusted as any progressives, but we sure as hell voted for Strickland, Chief Justice Brown, Cordray, Betty Sutton and even that jack-off Lee Fisher.

[fatbuckel]

24. Whatever the reason, they got what they asked for.

[we can do it]

30. FUCK OFF are You Deaf, You are Obviously DUMB

[fatbuckel]

32. brilliant.

[fascisthunter]

14. divisive and not true... last thing dems need is someone like you

to plant the seeds of bs and resentment. We already have Fox news doing your job, we don't need anymore.

[we can do it]

28. fuck off

[Deep13]

13. "Whizzing?" Yup, our rights are going right down the toilet. nt

[Historic NY]

16. Lets see no bargaining, no striking, take what they give you...how 19th century.

Wonder is shutting down a state would get attention in the media.

[we can do it]

27. You've Got Idiots Running Around Here Saying- I'd Take That Job For $3hour

of course I only finished 3rd grade, but who the hell needs a real education?

[jacquelope]

33. Let them take that job for $3 an hour

The quality of the work they do will be so low that the system will collapse.

I say all the teachers, cops and firefighters should go on strike. Send the inexperienced $3 an hour scabs to replace them. Go ahead.

What I wish is that all Government workers EVERYWHERE would go on strike. Nationwide solidarity. Any ideas why such an idea wouldn't work if it got started?

[jacquelope]

21. Strike!!!

This bill affects police and firefighters.

If they all went on strike, along with the teachers, who would be around to arrest them? Who would be around to replace them?

Is anyone calling for a strike in Ohio?

[blackspade]

23. Sounds like time for the Democrats in the Ohio House to take a 'vacation' in another state.

[AnOhioan]

25. The Ohio Senate passed it, by one vote...

The House votes next week. It will probably pass....but I have heard that unions will seek an injunction while trying to collect the approx 230,000 sigs needed to force a ballot referendum.