In this highlight of an interview with Fox’s Bill Hemmer, Governor John Kasich speaks about needing the environment for job creation in Ohio and the reason to support actions that will allow local governments to restore common sense to the way we balance our budgets and provide services. Please watch the video and share your thoughts with us below:
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My wife is a 4th grade teacher. She is a professional person. She tells me that the teachers at her school is are extremely dedicated. They are dedicated to educating our youth. They play the role of a good parent that many of their students don’t have. She is at school for 10-11 hrs. per day and then works on her teaching by doing new lesson plans, talking to parents and grading papers on average another 3-4 hours per day. Teachers are special !!! They should be rewarded in a special way for what they do for our society!!!
I’m not going to mince words or be politically correct. The government unions need to be put on a short leash. This is about whether the unions control government or the people that elect representatives control government. Don’t back off. Hold your position at all costs. Not just for Ohio, but for America..!
I am teacher in a public school system employed by an agency that does not have union affiliation. However, I still benefit from collective bargaining that has helped level the playing field for Ohio’s teachers.
Moreso than the restriction on collective bargaining, my concern is with the proposed changes to state law that would do away with salary steps and reduce sick days. However, all of SB5 is a direct attack on the middle class.
Governor Kasich, you speak of creating jobs – exactly how will SB5 help create jobs? You are obscuring the truth of this bill with bullet points intended to blind the uninformed constituent. This bill will do more harm than good to Ohio.
also just listened to your interview………..jobs were was your mind when you voted for nafta…..never no mention of it………………..do your work…………4yrs of you…………..many made a mistake of voting for you
Do not comprimise your principles during this onslaught from organised labor. We elected you because we believed you had the conviction to do what is right for the people of Ohio. I am proud to say I voted for you. God speed Governor Kasich!
Regards,
Kevin K. Garner RN
Controlling costs is important, and negotiation is the way to do that, not taking away collective bargaining from public employees. This is the wrong action to take for Ohio.
Governor Kasich,
Thank You. Your efforts in dealing with the Ohio budget crisis
are our hope for a prosperous state. Please maintain your position on SB5. You are in our prayers.
Respectfully,
Paul Bodey
Marysville Ohio
We favor “Right to work” on ALL workers, not just Public Employees, which would encourage companies to come to Ohio. The total burden of balancing the budget should not be put on the shoulders of public employees. As former teachers, we can understand stopping tenure, cutting back on sick day and other benefits, but NOT eliminating them. We suggest negotiating a little instead of creating a mess like Wisconsin. The Mitch Daniel’s approach is more likely to be successful in getting acceptable changes made. We also suggest checking how Washington State got changes made – in a quieter, less confrontational manner.
Dear Gov…I’m 1000 percent behind you ! I’m sick and tired paying for LAZY union people who feel they are entitled to feed off us the PRIVATE citizens ! Bring this union scum to their knees and see how us the ordinary hardwork TAXPAYERS who help pay for OUR benefits …Healthcare/Benefits/Insurance/Pensions ! Sick to your guns just like our/your conserverative brerhren Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker ! I didn’t donate to your campain and vote for you to be a woozie and back down from this socialist garbage ! Sincerely, Chris P. Kanatas
Please do not give in to the Unions. Cleanning house is what we need now. Teachers are great but when you work only 44 weeks a year and make $50K+ you need to saddle up and pay your own freight. Tax payers can not do this for ever. Put the teachers in the social security dole. No pension and put them on SS with their personal IRA’s and they can make it work. We pay $12K for health insurance a year and happy to have it. They pay nothing compared to us. Fire any teacher that takes off sick to protest. See what happens. You can do it I voted for you. There are millions of unemployeed I doubt you will have any trouble finding people that will be happy to have a job.
John,
We won’t be competitive until NAFTA goes away.
We can’t compete with the $2 per hour China slave trade. We need to build, manufacture, and create things in this country again John. We can’t do that until NAFTA and the Global idiots go away. Our energy infrastructure is 30 years behind. Our missle defence and offense is 30 years behind. And while we’re dorking around trying to save every little frog and hedge hog on the planet, China and Russia are moving their chess pieces John!!! The American people are aware of it and we’re flat out tired of the politicians playing their little piss ant games while the country is falling away. If you think Wisconsin and the Tea party are something, wait until the behemouth of the American public comes down on you politicians heads. You politicians keep playing politics with our country and you will see a great revolution John. Stay the course and bring back what has made our country great. Back the government out and let freedom reign. Remind the Democrats that we’re not a Democracy, we’re a Republic!!! And we Americans are sick and tired of the representation that has gone on for the past 50 years.
I am NOT happy that you are taking away binding arbitration for police and fire. They are NOT permitted to strike and therefore will have no recourse in dealing with pay negotiations. You are placing the state and local employee in a place of great trouble. I voted for you and now I wish I wouldn’t have since you are putting my family in jeopardy with your callous ways of handling this situation. Maybe YOU should put YOUR life on the line for others! Maybe YOU should put YOUR family in jeopardy of losing their parent/spouse. Thanks for risking men and women for the sake of ‘budget’ cuts.
I voted for you in November to save our state. I support any actions you feel necessary to achieve this. I am not in a financial position to send a donation but you have my prayers.
Governor Kasich, I am a life long Republican, I supported you when you were running for Congress. I voted for you for Governor, I convinced my entire family and friends to vote for you. I think that the way you are handling this SB5 is totally WRONG. I see you and the Republican Party in Ohio acting exactly like Reid and Pelosi acted in Washington with the healthcare joke. Sir, you are coming across as arrogant and in your face, just like they did in Washington. This is not Washington, this is Ohio!
Hold you ground on this! You and Gov. Walker are the great statesmen we need!
Honorable Kasich,
I have been a republican my entire life to date, but with recent decisions being proposed in Columbus to do away with collective bargaining and other decisions which only affect the public service arena, poor and middle-class , I see this as not a move to save money but rather gain nothing but political power. I will now certainly give my support and efforts from this point on to more liberal thinkers.
You should be screaming at congress for voting to do away with planned Parenthood for people but not animals while approving continuing support of the Pentagon tospend7 million a year on advertising with NASCAR. This is how the Republicans are going to save America.
You are my Governer, ic will continue to respect you for the office you have been elected to and will serve you as requested. I am, however, not happy with the direction you have chosen to go.
Respectfully,
Jon Mattison
We are behind you, Governor-and State Leaders, 100%! Please remember, your supporters are hard working and responsible individuals who decided how these matters should be dealt with when we cast our vote last November. We cannot – nor would not leave our place of work nor family responsibilities to come to the capitol building in support of measures you ran on and we voted on last elections! So no matter how many you see against those campaign promises-remember-the majority already gave you the support needed when we elected you! We are out here working hard to make our ends meet at home-trusting you are doing the same for our home state! You all are in our prayers! “Right makes might!” (A. Lincoln)…”Let us dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
So in order to create new jobs we have to cut the pay and benefits of public workers as well as strip away their bargaining rights? Sorry, but I don’t buy it. I’m sure our elected officials can find a way to create job growth within our state while keeping the current jobs intact. Otherwise, you’re not helping the situation – you’ll be making it worse. And I did not vote Republican in order for things to get worse!
I am very disappointed in what you are doing with Ohio’s job situation. Instead of creating jobs many are losing them, I am one of them. I work in a public school system and was told that with all the budget cuts will not have a job next school year. Since when does education become second rate? Not only am I losing my income, but the children I work with everyday are going to lose the extra help they need to be successful in school. Ultimately you are hurting the education of many students because of “budget cuts”. This is heart breaking.
Governor. You are making me PROUD!!! KEEP IT UP!!! You have our support and you are doing what you said you would do. HOW REFRESHING!!! Don’t let the unions win this thing. HOLD YOUR GOAL and make NO COMPROMISES. You make me feel good about you being Ohio’s Leader. Les Imboden
Your move to create new jobs is not what the people of Ohio want. the jobs you look to create by doing away with collective bargaining and trying to bust the unions is only creating a more volatile environment. Job stability, pay, safety on the job are all in jeopardy with your way of thinking. How will anyone be able to live on minimum wage? they can’t buy a car to get to work in the first place much less afford the gas to put in it. they can’t buy a home/buy clothes/buy food. I have worked my entire life- sometimes 2 & 3 jobs at a time to pay my bills and try to live comfortably. Now I can’t afford to live in my own home. my kids are struggling – and they all work- no welfare- work! I am tired of supporting the world and everyone else in it- when is it my time?!!!! I can hardly walk due to pain and heart problems- I can’t afford to stop working. I will lose everything I have! If this bill passes you will see a civil war start to brew- in fact the unrest is so obvious at this time- people are tired of the bull and tired of the games! WAKE UP!
Govenor — don’t stop or give in you are doing the right things for our state
We totally support what you are trying to accomplish with the Union’s. Surprised that Fox News isn’t covering it as much as Wisconsin’s.
Keep up with fulfilling your promises!!!
I am disappointed in the manner in which you are trying to reduce the deficit in Ohio. I hear you talking and talking about eliminating deficit, but I do not understand how eliminating collective bargaining, seniority among teachers, merit pay, and the other issues in SB5 will in any way significantly reduce the budget. Perhaps a one year term for all elected officials, along with merit pay for them, eliminating government retirement plans, and forcing elected officials to do away with aides, driving services, and other perks will reduce our deficit as much or more than your proposals. Of course this is not something that you will ever consider, but as a loyal Republican, I needed to speak my mind. Nowhere did I see this approach as part of your campaign – I may have reconsidered my straight Republican vote. Judith Goodpasture
Leave collective bargaining alone. It is the only way for Police Firefighters to bargain fairly with city officials.
I would be very disappointed and ANGRY if you back down from the very unions that have been and still want to suck the blood out of the taxpayers to keep them comfortable. I think you should never stop saying the words ’8 billion dollars’ in debt, ‘we are broke’ . Never back down even if it means you will not be re-elected. Never. I voted for you on the basis that you would be strong and keep your promise to balance the budget. Once the budget is balanced, there should be a law that says it has to always stay balanced, if there isn’t one already.
The union people look silly. Do they not know what is happening worldwide? I’m going broke keeping them secure in their healthcare and retirement needs, NO MORE!!!! Stay with this and don’t back down.
Please don’t waiver. We need to return our State & Country to sanity
I fully support what you are doing with Senate Bill 5. I would love to travel to Columbus to show my support, but I have to work. Thank you for working hard to get these public sector costs under control. I appreciate all the hard work you are doing for us here in Ohio.
Keep up the good work!
As city firefighter/paramedic taking away the abilitly for collective bargaining under SB5, You effectively take away our ability to keep our bargaining rights as a union. We cannot strike or have any recourse for raises or other bennifits we have given up for the city economy. Also you want to tap into our retirement fund and reducing the amount of our pensions that we have worked and contributed to for so many years . You want to increase the buying power of the people of our state but with a reduction in our pension you will decrease the spending income of the very people that keep YOU and the other citizens of this stae safe. Do away with SB5 for the good of all Ohioan.
We need to continue to get government spending under control. All workers should be equal — just because you work as a governmental employee — whether at the state or local level — doesn’t mean that you are better than the “regular” non-governmental employee. Everyone should be treated equal as far as pay and benefits and each person should pay their fair share of the expenses.
Govenor, We commend your work thus far in the Unions verses the People. We are sad that the unions and far left delite in driving this horrible wedge between us and state workers.The protesters look like spoiled children throwing a hugh fit to get their way. You are our only voice. The only one who will stand up for us.Please chose your words well and make them count, as our state hangs in the balance. Rely on your faith and roots, Stay safe, Prayers,Sherry
First, we took a pay cut. Second, we lost our 401k match. Third, a 43% increase in our Healthcare Insurance due to Obama Care! Fourth, we lost our healthcare because of Obama Care, (68% increase in two years!) Fifth will be cashing in what is left of our 401K. Yet someone who doesn’t work and pay taxes gets free food, (better than I can aford!), Free Health Care, ( I have none!) Plus a free cell phone!
How long do you think I can pay someone 2-3 times more than I make? What happens when I and others finally run dry? I’ve been giving since 2006!!! NO MORE FREE RIDES!
Keep up the good work. Hang in there despite union pressure and liberal media pressure.
Bob Moore
dont give in.keep up the good work. dr.jack
Governor Kasich thank you for doing the right thing after 30 plus years that have just been spend and get re-elected. You my friend are doing the right thing by dealing with government employees paying their fair share of retirement, health care, etc. You are making the hard choices that every government leader needs to make while there is hope. As much negative feedback as your getting you would get it worse latter on if this isn’t done now. Thank Governor Kasich. Keep up the good work. That’s why the people of Ohio elected you. God Bless
Agree with Gov Kasich..the State of Ohio and municipalities need to bring benefit costs in line with the private sector, especially in the area of health care.
Mr Kasich. I voted for you and you are right there must be a change in the way we do busines in ohio. I think bill #5 will help. I also think we need to change our way of taxes. We need to lower taxes for busines. I hope you will hold your ground.
This country was build on the backs of hard working Americans.I think its unforgivable to take the right to stand up for themselves! People fight when their families livleyhood is on the line.What dont you get about that,(its so basic).So I say for me and my family I stand with the workers the ones who deserve a fair shake.(Trikle down doesnt work)! TRY TO BE FAIR.
Comments:
The Jobs Ohio is great step forward. However, it needs member or 2 with much small-med size business esperience, including start ups and new ventures. CEOs and COOs of large often are far removed from the world of the smaller companies and of the entrepreneurs. There is much Ohio can do to spawn start ups and investment in small to med-size businesses (tax incentives that do not reduce current tax revenues, matching big company cash with investor cash, government loans at market rates [it's not the interest rate that is the problem, it is the sourcing of capital], informing use of fed. tax laws that exempt certain investment gains from inc. tax or impose lower tax on certain gains or provide for ordinary tax loss treatment if investment loss occurs [versus, capital loss treatment] and how to structure investment and business for same [most don't know], and more. I would love to be on Job Ohio board or a committee as I have represented small-med size business for over 30 years — in Ohio — I’ve been in the trenches here. I previously sent (via e-mail) my resume. We can get 50 small businesses able to employ in the time it would take one large company to employ here in Ohio.
Final comment re: new budget. I’ve read a lot about looming Medicaid cuts and that nursing homes may be hit hard. Without current levels of Medicaid reimbursement many nursing homes will fail. This creates many consequential results, one of which is more people leaving Ohio — the elderly and those productive famliy member who want to be close to their elderly loved ones. And, home health are is not the answer — elderly folks who are Medicaid eligible generally do not have homes or even apartments.
Thank you. Jadk Butler, Powell, Ohio
Their is little sympathy from Ohio taxpayers for the protected class of state union workers. Their benefits need to be brought in line with what other workers get in the private sector as Ohio is facing serious budget shortfalls.
This corrections is long overdue and has to occur so Ohio can remain solvent.
You won the election. The people demanded your leadership in this area. It is imperative that you implement what you promised those who voted for you. Don’t back down at all
Thank you Gov.Kasich for showing the leadership that got you elected. It’s about time our leaders stand up for the taxpayer.
Creating jobs is what Ohio needs. The jobs should not be at the risk of destroying others livelyhood. There are many teachers, firefighers, police and community public employees that I am concerned will be destroyed if the union is destroyed. Why encourage that? These people work very hard for our communities. If there are changes that could be made for the good of “all,” then have discussions. But don’t pull the rug out from under so many. Yes, government spending needs addressed, but the STRS has already addressed many issues after loosing so much of the retirement funds for teachers because of bad investments on the part of Big Business. I really Pray, as I did before I voted for you, that you were the right person for this job. I voted for you because you said you are “prolife.” Please consider what that means. How many lives will be effected if good choices are not made and haste decisions are? You haven’t given good reason as to why you want to take away all the benefits that teahers and other public employees have worked so hard and long for. I know economically the world is different now. There are many ways to fix these problems and negociate. God will only bless a nation that takes care of it’s most vunerable. Being prolife means equal rights for all from unborn until natural death. The reason unions formed in the first place was because of mistreatment of workers. Without the bargaining piece, which has worked very well, is becasue people discuss & bargain with each other in what is fair and just. The union should not be viewed as the enemy, but the opportunity to see equality for all. There is a solution. Please ponder this and seek out those who are objective and prayful. You can’t be mislead if you pray.
God Bless you and the wonderful work you will do for Ohio,
Mary
( A current teacher in Ohio)
Dear Governor Kasich,
Removing peoples’ rights is no way to balance a jbudget! You actions against unions is nothing more than a move to remove freedoms and if you continue this path, I am sorry I voted for you! You’ll not get another vote from me should this go through! I am appalled that you would act like Obama! That is exactly what you are doing, so shape up or ship out.
Is it wrong to collectively bargain? Should people be allowed to contribute to a retirement system for 30 years and then retire?
If you really want to know what is wrong in Ohio public education, I can tell you. Is anyone listening?
Are Politicians going to be paying the same percentage as the general public worker for their health care/benefits or will they remain at the current level? If we are going to bring the “Unions” to the same level of the general public, I would like to see “Everyone” brought to the same level.
this fight will get ugly, but please, please don’t back down. The idea of public unions is a flawed and corrosivly harmful concept at it’s core. If we back down now in the face of fear and ignorance, we may NEVER get this chance again, and the US will go by way of old Europe.
You know I think if you were truly trying to reform the way public employees work while trying to reduce expenses in a tough time you would copy the federal union relationship.
In the federal government the union bargains working conditions but NOT pay. That makes sense. Not having a union to work with management to set rules will lead to massive corruption. I’m all for flexibility with pay in hard times. But is corruption really what we want from out government?
Let’s try to solve the problems not just use it as a political advantage to attack the unions.
Governor Kasich,
The 8 billion dollar deficit is real. That public employees will bear the lion’s share of that burden is a given. To do away with collective bargaining is purely an ideological vendetta. SB 5 must be amended to maintain collective bargaining.
I fail to understand how the this will help the budget crisis. It seems to me it will be taking power away from people and unions that aren’t getting their fair share as it is. In a country where a leading CEO of a very large bank can walk away from an economic crash with a net worth in the upper 12 figures (consisting mostly of hard-working Americans’ money) and is punished with a high profile federal government position, I don’t feel very comfortable with these weak solutions going after yet more of the blue collar work force revenue. I know so many politicians have a well thought out and wordy explanation on how this bill will help, but it’s just another way to take your mind off that fact that all this money and economic destruction was done right in front of your face by executives all across the country, and they’ll be getting away with it because nobody is going to do anything about it.
I think you are on the path and you are doing a great job. I feel that all government worker and union worker should have pay just as much as I do. Stick to your guns and don’t back down.
Dear Governor,
I wish there was more discussion on how the elimination of collective bargaining would help encourage competition in our schools. Teachers need more pressure to work hard and bring their “A” game to work everyday. Our urban schools are failing and they need a fix. We need better teachers and better administrators. We need to stop protecting people who do not produce.
Jim (Columbus City School Teacher)
Gov Kasich
DO NOT GIVE IN TO THE UNIONS!!!!! Stay the course and cut spending. We must have fiscal responsibility and it must be NOW. Do not abandon the effort to eliminate collective bargaining with the public employees union. It time for the union members to “pay their fair share”
SB-5 is such an insulting piece of legislation to all Ohioans, and will set back Labor Relations a 100 years. That it needs reworking is a no brainer,but better yet, dropped. I can’t believe Republicans are as recklace as the Democrats were with Health Care! Benefits gained by Public Employees were done thru Collective Bargaining, with impasses resolved by independent Binding Arbitration. If School-Boards, City, and State governments can’t afford these benefits any longer, they will be negotiated back, as they should be. I don’t see a problem here. They arn’t supposes to strike, but you can threaten to lay them off? What is up with that? You appear to be a go after guy, which is why I voted for you, but we need practical solutions. Look at the Right-To-Work states with few if any Public Unions. They still have huge bunget deficits. Please abort this poorly thought out bill. Thank You! Wayne E. Fike, Jackson Twp
I am with you keep up the great work.
I would like to weigh in on Senate Bill 5. There has been a lot of talk about merit raises for union employees that go above and beyond the call of their normal duties. This will appear as a pie in the sky to most employees. Most employees will see that no matter how hard they try someone else is going to get the raise or promotion because they were in the click. What most good employees want is to belong to a team of people just like them, hard workers working toward a goal, each employee carrying their own weight. How do we achieve this? We do this by getting rid of the dead weight on the team. It seems everyone has bought into the “no child left behind” mentality. They extend this into the work force because it would be uncomfortable for someone to be let go or the union will not allow it. In reality everyone has been sold out by the “lets only go as fast as the slowest person” mentality. This is what management should be paid for, making the tough decisions. Let us do what is right for the majority of the good honest employees and write something into the labor laws where it doesn’t take an act of congress to manage the labor force.
Public employees deserve to be able to bargain collectively. The passage of SB5 will do more harm than good.
Governor Kasich,
I voted for you confident that you would set out and do what you promised you would do. PLEASE do not back down from this Bill. We are counting on you! Stay strong and committed.
My husband and I are educators and are opposed to SB5. Public schools and unions have enabled millions of honest, hard working people to achieve the “American Dream” and create a large middle class.
I believe you are wrong! Removal of collective bargining will not address the issue. The issue is Ohio needs jobs. Ohio does not need to do away with collective bargining which in the end will hurt the future of our children’s education. Get rid of SB5!
With all due respect,
Your SB5 is a prime example of why I find it morally and ethically impossible to be, or to vote Republican. I am not a public employee, teacher or firefighter or anything like that & my husband is not either, but I can tell you I am in full support of those who are, and I stand with these hardworking people to show my support.
When are you rich politicians going to figure out that it is the working man that makes this country run? The only thing we are paying you to do is talk, Needless to say, I didn’t vote for you and I bet a lot of other people are now sorry they did. This is what happens when uneducated populace vote in “change” even thought they haven’t a clear understanding of what their candidate represents.
Count me, a University of Mount Union graduate, American Studies, 100% against SB5 and the rest of whatever it is that you stand for. I’m just counting down until we can vote you out.
Governor,
Please keep up the pressure on the unions. They need to pay for their benefits just like we do in the private sector. Enough of the free ride thing at the taxpayers expense.
We support you.
I am a union firefighter. We are taking a lot of flack lately about our pension and collective bargaining. I won’t be testifying in Columbus but I want you to hear my side of this many faceted issue and consider it when you vote. Our union has a history of working with our city to seek alternatives to pay raises. If this legislation passes we will be fiscally punished for our past cooperation.
The city pays our pension contribution for us because the city and the union agreed to pension pickup rather than pay raises. Pension pickup is a win-win for the employer and the employee. Taken in place of a raise it keeps hourly labor rates lower for the employer and the employee benefits by lower taxable income. This was accomplished over several three year contracts and to eliminate it now would rob us of all the pay raises we traded for pension pickup. If you enact this portion of the legislation consider applying it only to new employees who won’t realize a lose by having it taken away.
I’ve heard that part of this legislation removes healthcare benefits from negotiations. In several contracts we agreed to reduced raises in exchange for caps on our healthcare costs, changing the rules now will further penalize us for our past cooperation.
Somehow members of state pension systems and unions have been painted as evil. I can’t speak for other unions but police and fire aren’t allowed to strike so collective bargaining provided an objective way to balance the employer and employee concerns, the employees will be helpless without it. The collective bargaining and pension rules weren’t set up by the firefighters, we are just following the rules enacted by past legislatures. I understand that healthcare is expensive, the economy and tax receipts are down,. We did not create this situation. Can you quantify how the proposed changes will solve the current problem? If not, why are we pursuing this?
It seems odd to me that our Governor is attacking the people who serve our cities day in and day out, and make many sacrifices to serve the people in their respective communities.It has not been made clear how a repeal of collective bargaining is going to create jobs and end the states deficit. I understand that cuts must be made in order to balance the budget, but why should the rights of union workers be taken away when there are many other cuts that could and should be made.
Governor, I voted for you in Nov. and I’m voting for you now.
Sen. Brown asked in his survey what I wanted and one of my three selections was that I wanted educated men and women to stay in and to find work in Ohio. What you are doing will help to accomplish that goal.
Thank you.
THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT-DOOR: Unions, every year their greed has not been stopped. Let Ohio and America know how much a government employee earns or teachers after 20 years, how much their benefits are compared to the private sector, what they get in retirement after just 20 years for the rest of their life in pay and healthcare! Unions like the AFLCIO visit the Obama staff weekly according to their president who bragged about it on camera (only shown on Fox news). Who is looking out for us if they have government officials paid-off? We need to take the government back from the unions! It is our government not the unions!!! I can’t afford to take any more money away from my family so unions can bitch and cry about having to pay a $5 co-pay or cut in their retirement contribution that might make it so they can’t retire at 45, welcome to the rest of the world.
Stand-up, but your have your facts. Expose how much the unions have contributed to government campaigns, how often the AFLCIO visits with the Obama staff, read the July 2010 News Week or Fortune article on The Millionaire Next-Door, your federal, state, local or teacher union employee. Due to their pay increases over the past 10 years and outrageous benefits package with early retirement and healthcare for the rest of their life, they are the new millionaires next door, WOW.
Govenor, I elected you because I trust you to make the right decisions for Ohio. So far you are doing a damn good job. Don’t cave to the cries of the few (public unions) when you have the futures of the many of this Great State of Ohio to protect and to clear their path to prosperity. Thank you for the Great Job you are doing.
The current legislation protections public employees …and even those public employees that are terrible at their job. Managers should have the power to fire bad employees. If removing collective bargaining is a way to rid ourselves of low-performance employees, then it is a chance to save money and better our public workforce.
Dear Governor Kasich,
I think SB5 is a horrible idea. Collective bargaining is very important. Collective bargaining has been able to change the work day from 12 hours to 8 hours. Collective bargaining has stood up for policeman who have been shot at in the line of duty. Collective bargaining has stood up for teachers, who try to teach children, who don’t respect teachers, learning or anyone. Collective bargaining has stood up for social workers, who try to ensure that no child is abused or neglected.
I believe your parents worked for the postal department, which was a unionized job. Obviously, your parents and you received benefits from their job. Your grandfather worked for the coal mines. Was he in a union or should he have been in a union, where they would of protected his safety rights. I am ashamed that you have lost sight of your roots. You should be working for union workers not against them. If you get rid of collective bargaining, you won’t make Ohio a more profitable state. Union workers have always made Ohio a profitable state. You should look at what you have before you decide to get rid of Union workers.
Keep up the good work. We need to control spending in the public sector and bring retirement packages, holidays, health care benefits more in line with the private sector. We have had to tighten our belts in the private sector, give up retirement options, take cuts in pay and work harder to replace displaced workers. Frankly, I don’t see much of this happening in the public sector. It’s time to make a stand and do what is right for the state. Keep up the good work.
Collective Bargaining – is a type of negotiation.
However, neither side should be forced to promise what one cannot deliver! Tradeoffs when barganing only lead to: layoffs / increased debt / and new taxes. Choose Merit, what you do over what you earn. Do not be disadvantaged by yourself and your greed. Your Merit is the only true value you have and can share.
Govenor Kasich. Please stand your ground.
Govenor Kasich, Please stand your ground. You must be given the chance to do what you said you would do.
Hold your ground. THIS is what we elected you for !! We aren’t the ones with the megaphones, and the ridiculous signs, so sometimes we don’t get as much attention… just please know that we ARE here, and we DO support you !!
You did a great job keeping the Capitol Building safe the other day !! The “right to peaceful assembly” was protected. Peaceful Assembly does NOT cause business interruption, does NOT create a safety hazard for those in the vicinity, and does NOT intimidate innocent passers-by !!! What you had outside the Capitol was an unruly, angry mob… not a Peaceful Assembly ! Bravo !
I’m a registered Democrate. After reading the various comments, it’s clear the the opponents to SB5 have not read of understand it. Perhaps they ought to take a course in basic economics. I, as do the majority of people, support you 100% in what your trying to accomplish. It disgusting to listen to the whining rhetoric and misinformation that’s being put out by the various unions regarding this house bill. How many teachers and public employees have taken a 10% pay cut the last 2 years as many in the private sector have had to do? It’s about time that health care and retirement benefits be brought down in line with private industry.
Keep up the good work and don’t back down
Unions had a place in our society when they were introduced, Maybe someone can tell me how all the abuses by union employees (on our buck) are somehow okay. It appears to me that unions no longer serve the general public. And how did government workers get ‘workers rights’? I can’t find them in the constitution.
Gov. Kasich, I have always liked you as commentator on FOX News and also in hearing you speak before the election. I voted for you BUT I am having serious doubts now.
As a retired teacher on the edge of Applachia, I want you to know that we(in our district) went for many years without any raises to keep our insurance. AND as you may or may not know, we did the same job other teachers around the state did for a LOT less $$$$!!!!!!
As a 11 year retiree, I am picking up a substancial amount of the HC cost. We are paying more and more and getting less and less in the way of HC. Also, having less and less to spend for bills, etc due to HC costs. Those who are married pay nearly all of their check for HC. Now politicans are wanting to FIX the problem by taking the simple 3% cost of living. For anyone who does not understand that it is COL on the amount you received the first day you retired. Many older retirees get $1 or less. We are NOT keeping up or even close to keeping up and you all want to take part of the COL??? UN believeable!!!!!!!!!! So much for promises.
We didn’t grouse about the low pay because we were promised a decent retirement and a cadillac of HC. As of the presnt, what we have is a JUNKER. So it is time to speak up!!!!!!!!!!
UINHAPPY in S-W Ohio
Please reconsider your actions. I recently saw you on an interview on WLW-TV news. You made the comment that OEA did not back you and now they had to deal with you. It sounded very much like sour grapes, spite, or a threat.
As one who was not thrilled with OEA and didn’t join the last few years of teaching, I hope that group understand how retirees have felt for several years!!!! STRS is trying to fix their problems-drastically wasted money by the investment people plus all the money spent on things like alcohol, trips all over, etc.-on the back of retirees. OEA has made it clear we do not pay dues and they couldn’t care less about retirees. So, now they have someone trying to fix the problem with them- OEA. What a mess!!!!!
Oh, yes! I forgot to add something! I have been hearing about TAXPAYERS on TV. REMEMBER that teachers are TAXPAYERS too and are therefore PAYING part of their own salary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sick of hearing this. Let’s get it right….we pay taxes too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. Include representatives of all involved groups in the decision making process.
2. Make cuts and Make it equitable from the top down in every facet – Retirement, medical, etc.
3. Since those already retired cannot rejoin the workforce, “grandfather” them.
4. Form a “Citizen’s Board” and listen to their ideas.
I would like to thank the Ohioans for electing Governor Kasich. I was a member of the extremely corrupt Plumbers Local Union 55 for many years. Our Business Manager, Rob Rybak was facing 55 years in prison and a democratic judge sentenced him to 27 months in prison. This particular man whom is friends with Dimora threatened my life a few years ago when I refused to work for straight time cash from our union contractors. My brother has also been a member of this union. He hasn’t worked in four years because he is on the finance comitee and asked questions about Rob’s spending habits filling up his yaught with the union credit card. Presently the men in power there are trading in vehicles for about $10,000 under book value for their friends and family members to pick them up the same day at the dealers. They told us this is not illegal even though they are spending the member’s money. The FBI is not concerned about anything but the things relating to Dimora and Russo. They are not doing their jobs. I’ve personally called the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Washington, DC many times over the years and I’ve been ignored and called “crazy” by the union for opening my mouth. I went back to school and found another career because I refuse to work for straight time cash and break state and federal laws as I wastold to do by the ecelon at Plumbers Local Union 55. I will NEVER vote democratic again after my dealing with the unions, the payoffs I’ve seen, and the outright corruption. I’ve even seen an inspector at the Cleveland Clinic walk into a job trailer and pick up a payoff without inspecting a job. Big contractactors have big payoffs for the inspectors. Get rid of the unions and you will get rid of the corruption!
Being an Idiot cop, as I am. I will for the first time in all the years I have voted, be putting a sign in my yard for the democrat that runs against you in 2014. I’ve seen a lot of poor Democrats in my years, but you sir are by far the worst person I’ve ever voted for, hope you bill gets defeated.
Thank you Gov.Kasich for showing the leadership that got you elected. It’s about time our leaders stand up for the taxpayer. We just have to cut spending in all sectors of this country. You just can’t keep spending money we dont have and that goes for everyone of us.
I am against public employees haveing their bargaining rights taken away. It starts with one and snowballs. I was in a union for 25 years and without it we would have been dirt under the feet of our employer.
If you want to cut costs, lets look at the cost of the special savings the congress and senators get. Special medical insurance, special retirement, cars, gas, all the little things the public has to pay for. If some of them had to live like people on social security do without perks, things would be changed in this country.
I know that teachers are a noble profession, but that does not exempt them from being a part of rebuilding our state. I support Governor Kaisich’s efforts to reign in out of control state budget. I am not impressed with the shouting down of anyone who has a different opinion. The unions are treating our government officials like a CEO trying to get rich on the backs of workers. That is not the case. We are friends and neighbors. Some one needs to do the hard job that previous administrations were afraid of doing. I know it hurts a little now but it will be worse down the road when more jobs are lost and Ohio drops out of the race for jobs and our young flee the state because our taxes and regulations send businesse to other states.
Has anyone pointed out that if something isn’t done soon this whole thing could come apart at the seems.
Governor. One of the things that you talked about was the elimination of the state income tax. This is a step that would do a lot to increase the desirablity of living in Ohio and therefore foster the climate to the creation of jobs. What is happening to this idea?
SB5 as it stands would ruin Ohio. Without the union, our state would crumble. Do you wear a bullet-proof vest and carry a gun to work? Are you the first one running TO the burning building? Yes, these folks make their career choice but thank God they do. We need to protect our emergency works. As far as teachers, this will ruin public schools. The quality teachers will either move to another state or be forced in to private schools. We’ll all end up paying a HUGE price down the road if this passes. Don’t be short sided but look to the future. The general public is quick to criticize and offer these employees as sacrafice but put yourself in their place. What concessions are the powers at be willing to make? Our police and fire take enough.
Teacher,Cop or Fireman, your still no better than the rest of us that pay taxes. I know that’s hard to take in but what part of the fact that you make more than I can pay don’t you understand? Equal rights for all but us? I think the offer is more than fair. Do your job well and you wouldn’t need a union to speak on your behalf. You forget that you have a choice to find work elsewhere. I have nothing else to cut back on! It’s your turn! As once said by a well known and respected President, “Get back to work or your fired”!
Dear Mr. Kasich – I am all for getting financing of our programs and the health of our state in order but I have to tell you, I’m appalled by the way you are running roughshod over everyone. Your arrogant and pompous manner is off putting and is not the way issues get resolved. I voted for you in the election but I’m deeply regretful at this point. I’m sure you have some good intentions but your dividing our state and certainly not leading by example.
Governor Kasich, DO NOT CAVE IN. This state could save millions of dollars by doing away with prevailing wage alone!. I do not know how this can even be constitutional for a group of people to dictate how much anyone else has to pay an employee to do a state funded job, or any job for that matter, I pay my employees well, and they work hard for their pay. This is what it is supposed to be like. If these people that are crying the blues would work as hard doing their jobs as they do trying to get something for nothing they wouldn’t have to worry about their jobs.
Labor unions were created to help workers share in the profits they helped earn. However, government workers do not generate profits. They merely negotiate more tax money. When government workers negotiate or strike they are doing so against the tax payers. Hence, government collective bargaining means voters do not have a final say on public policy. That is not exactly democratic. Even FDR thought that unionizing public workers was wrong.
People say they want the government to be more fiscally responsible but only if it doesn’t affect them. It is time to realize that there is no more money and that we all need to be responsible and do whatever it takes to get ourselves out of debt. Obviously what happened in the past is not going to work in the present or the future.
Governor Kasich,
I applaud your efforts to reign in the public sector unions. I never could understand the premise or the logic behind people electing the people that they would eventually negotiate a contract with.
HOLD YOUR GROUND! It is a tough fight. Unpleasant! Difficult!…NECESSARY!!! There is not one organization out there that is going to like to change, but IT MUST BE DONE! I want to hand a GREAT nation of the USA to my grand children. I am afraid I am watching it crumble into the hands of the upcoming super powers of the east!! Stop defending teachers! I am a teacher as well, but we have a problem when the USA scores 23 out of 30 domestic countries in MATH and SCIENCE!!!! CHANGE IS SOOOOOOO OVER DUE!
Governor Kasich,
My wife is a teacher who cares deeply for the students she has in her classroom. It makes me sick to hear all of the negative comments about teachers! Why are they not allowed to have a decent salary and benefit package??? After all, if it wasn’t for teachers where would we be as a society? Let alone the rest of our public employees (Police, fire, prison guard, etc.)? You say you want to bring more jobs to Ohio, but why does that have to come at the cost of our current employees? I’m not as educated in politics as most, but it seems a bit ironic that SB5 is happening in other states at the same time. Is this all a political ploy against the democrats, or do you actually plan on balancing the budget at the cost of good people? Nobody I know can even explain what exactly is in the bill because of all the technical jargon! My current place of employment underwent budget cuts a few years back and my boss took the biggest hit of everyone. Why? Because he wanted to do what was fair to his employees. Governor Kasish, are you willing to take the same cut in pay and benefits as you are asking others to take, or is this really just a way to “stick it” those who don’t deserve to have a good benefit package? When we don’t have enough money to pay our mortgage, will the banks be okay with us telling them that we’re just doing our part as Ohioans?
I voted for you Governor, please make me proud to say that I support you, because right now, I’m not feeling it!
Governor Kasick,
You’re getting a lot of grief right now. I just want you to remember the people supporting you are probably working and don’t have time to send an email. They’re too busy making and servicing things to comment. I’ll speak for them to say we support what you are trying to do to save the State of Ohio. Frank White
I agree leave collective bargaining alone. Do as you promised create jobs. Say no to sb5…..
Keep up the good fight governor this is why I voted for you. Tell it like it is the union leadership is very afraid not for their people but for their own jobs. Making the unions recertify each year and having them correct dues scare the heck out of union leadership. They know that most of their people don’t like the elected officials they support or the way their dues are spent. Unions are crying that this will kill the middleclass, who are they kidding we the middleclass are forced to pay higher taxes to pay their pensions and health care that is what is killing the middle class. I had to provide my retirement thru 401K contributions, I have to pay a portion of my healh care no one is paying for me.
Top 5 states in education are collective bargaining states, at the bottom are right to work states. The top 5 states avg 8% deficits in their budgets are collective bargaining states, the right to work states avg 30% deficits in their budgets. Workers are not overpaid, but most are underpaid with CEO’s now earning 431 times what the avg worker earns. The progressive tax system was put in place early in our history to prevent anyone amassing too much wealth where they could then pay to influence legislation. Republican leaders call it “Redistribution of Wealth.” We can stop talking about that when Big Corporations stop the “Inequitable Distribution of Earnings.”
You don’t help the country when you hurt the workers. Lgislation must be good and balanced for both the Businesses and the Workers.
Governor,
I am a retired police officer with over 30 years of service. Like many others, I have gone on to another profession to support my family. SB5 is a draconian attack on the lives of public employees in Ohio. Many of us consciously decided to remain in the public service instead of going to the private sector, where there was more money, because of the healthcare, and other benefits, as well as the retirement plan afforded to us. We didn’t make as much money as the private sector, but we were assured of healthcare for ourselves and our families, as well as a decent retirement that we paid for. The law in Ohio removes the right of public employees to strike against the employer when a bargaining impasse has been reached. The purpose of the law is to ensure the delivery of service to the public while the disagreement is hashed out. In the instance of public safety this is paramount. Chaos would quickly arise if the police and fire departments failed to come to work. In place of the right to strike, as other organized workers have, the law in Ohio provides for negotiation and binding arbitration. This gives neither side a clear advantage and sets an arena for the negotiation of the new agreement. This has worked well in Ohio for many years. My point is that you want to throw the baby out with the bath water in the present case. There are some situations where unions of public employees have received enormous benefits, compared to others, through past political leverage. My fear is that you will not adjust the playing field to redress the errors of the past, but simply sweep everything aside and injure many people who honestly work hard for the benefit of all Ohioans and their communities and receive a fair and just paycheck and benefits for their work. The retired public employees pensions are what they worked for and paid into. How can it be just to try to take that away from people who earned those things? Sounds a little too Marxist or Obaman to be coming from a Republican governor. I urge you to reconsider your position. Taking away the right to bargain will return Ohio to the past when public jobs were nothing but gifts doled out to the friends and patrons of politicians. Ohio will look like Chicago. Civil Service and the right to bargain are essential to ward off corruption in public employment. I know that if this law passes it will be a giant fur ball in the Courts for years. It would be far better to sit down with the collective bargaining units affected by this measure and reasonably pound out a better agreement/law that everyone can live with.
There is so much I don’t know about this whole mess, but I do know several things for sure: we need to start running our government on a strict budget, and we need to look at EVERYTHING for possible elimination and/or cuts. Just because we’ve always done something doesn’t mean it’s still a good idea. And most important: I think everyone on both sides of the aisle would be more believing if the cuts started with the elected officials…no more automatic pay increases. If we’re all supposed to be tightening our belts, a good example needs to be set. I read once that JFK never accepted his salary as President but donated it to charity…how about some donating back to the people! The Founding Fathers warned us that too much pay would be bad for politicians, corrupting them and making them loathe to give up their jobs and go home…well, once again, they were right on the money. Maybe if we studied more about the Founders we would know more about our democratic republic (we don’t have a true democracy…they warned against that also!)
Please don’t be intimidated out of doing the right thing, Governor…we are so-o-o deep in debt. Know that you and yours are in our prayers.
Hello John:
We want to express our support for what you are doing today with the union issues as well as everything else you have addressed so far in your new administration.
We do not have the words to express our disdain and anger for the union mentality you are fighting to get at least “under control”.
We knew when you first entered into politics and have admired you so highly from then on. We appreciate your courage in going back into this arena to save our wonderful state in these devasting times.
We will be donating to your campaign as much as we can. You have our full support
I have been a teacher my whole life. I think that government unions are a detriment to the process of education and the life of our country. I agree with FDR when he said this in 1937 about collective bargaining with government employees:
“All government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public-personnel management. The very nature and purposes of government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with government-employee organizations. The employer is the whole people…”
My husband is a Union worker and works hard to EARN the money that he makes. The Union stands behind its people to help Ohians keep jobs. What you are doing is going to hurt Ohio jobs and the hard working people who serve here. We are completely against SB5!!!!!!!
Governor, I did vote for you in hope that you can straighten out the budget for Ohio. Please do not mix budget problems,
job creation and collective bargaining under one blanket. These are individually very important and in most instances, don’t interconnect. I would also stress that you don’t hastily
make press conferences, statements and knee jerk decisions
like our Washington officials until you have good strategic plans. Job creation can come from current employers as long
as the state officials lend a hand for expansions and capital improvements. Budget problems is something that every individual or family struggles with. If revenue doesn’t increase then we are always stuck with budget cuts. I would hope that all categories are looked at closely prior to completely cutting them off. Maybe an across the board percentage is set. Maybe purchasing should be analyzed to see if any discounts can be had. I am sure that the purchasing department has not competively looked into
special discounts or volumne discounts over the past four to eight years. Is it possible to save money on state vehicles gas usage? Why do state, city and county vehicles always have to be running when not in use? Think of all the money that is being wasted in fuel. I understand the diesel engines, but not the regular combustion. Lastly,
the collective bargaining arrangement is probably needed due to the constant flow of services, however, the union perks is over the top. I am not a union buster,but I do see the need for strong negotiations on union benefits. Some unions have caused city, county and state budgets to be way out of line. The flip side to this idea could cause some
budget areas going to the private sector which in the long run be more expensive. It is a mess!!! Keep up the good work and hopefully by year end you will have some solutions.
Governor,
As I read many of the comments on your stance of altering how the State and Local governments of Ohio work with the Unions of public employees, I feel compelled to add in my thoughts.
I think that the greater majority of teachers, firefighters, police and other public employees do an exceptional job and deserve the best compensation that tax-payers can reasonably provide. If we could continue to contribute to these pay and benefit programs that have been created and enhanced over the past decades, I would whole-heartedly support the contracts.
The fact is that we cannot continue to pay into these accounts unless we cut other services (which there may be some that should be reduced) or raise taxes. I do not think that we can cut other areas of the budget enough and should we raise taxes more than their current rates, we risk stalling business growth which we need desparately to grow jobs in Ohio.
When I had to vote on a school levy in the most recent election, I did my homework. Lakota communicated that COL raises would be frozen for two years and they have cut expenses in areas other than salaries and benefits to the bone.
I believe that Lakota needs the levy to continue the current level of services (now the past level as the bill was defeated), but the school system was not completely honest is stating the entire problem, nor all of the options.
Even with COL raises frozen, teachers still receive significant raises in the “Step” program. For each year a teacher holds a faculty position they receive a 3%+ raise. In the private sector 3% was about the average in good economic times. So, freezing COL does not mean freezing wage rates at all.
The companies I have worked for over the past 5 years have reduced their contributions to employee 401ks from 6% to 0. They simply cannot afford to contribute at this time.
We need to get back to fiscal responsibility. States have lost tremendous revenue not only due to less business activity, but also due to real estate valuations have plummeted. Our public employees must understand that their salaries come from taxpayers and tax payers are under tremendous strain. Food prices are going up, as is gas, clothing, etc. We have to endure higher prices with less money – and we just do not have additional money to ensure the same benfit levels to public employees – no matter how good at their jobs they may be.
We need to unharness collective bargaining which has saddled the local school districts for far too long. They need flexability to make necessary adjustments that will ensure a sustainable future.
Hello John,
I have to say that my wife, who is a 7th grade language arts teacher, is very concerned about this bill. She thinks her salary is going to be cut in half which will tear our family apart financially. I am a full time minister and we do not make much off our salary and with the economy the way it is, I am on partial pay. My wife says their are many teachers who are talking about getting out of teaching because of this bill. Do we really want to lose great teachers because it is going to affect their long term goals in retirement? Please consider other options for teachers. It just doesn’t seem fair. Don’t let teachers retire and rehire and double dip the system. That alone will save the state a ton.
John, I have always appreciated you. Love your show on Fox. I voted for you. I will trust you but I certainly hope you don’t destroy my family and our future we have worked so hard to achieve.
Larry Butt
Dear Sir,
My wife of 17 years is a dedicated school teacher in our area. I am standing stong with my wife in opppostion of this bill. Taking this action will not benefit the students of Ohio but will unnecessarily place more of the financial burden on the middle class. You have given your cabinet a raise and ask my wife and her colleaques to not only work harder but for less money! How dare you! Would you ask a dentist to get his pay based on patient’s flossing? Sound ridiculous! It does to me too! Perhaps more money could be made for Ohio if Senators and you took a pay cut or volunteered time or paid all thier own benefits, or bought their own supplies for their job and the ones working for them as well! My wife certain can not afford to pay Ohio’s bills. Teachers are not paid enough now!
Please Don’t hurt the firefigthers that have tried so hard to help ( & i voted for you!
Dear Govenor Kasich, I live in a small rural area. But I have something that irk’s me. We have several elected officials that has retired. Drawing there pension and then still working. We used to call this double dipping. But I think that if you retire you should stay retired and let someone younger have the job. As far a bill5 I don’t understand it all. But government needs to tighten the belt as all us regular people do with our own budgets. Best of Luck and hope you are able to get Ohio Jobs!!
Ohio Is in Deep trouble, And I fully support Gov. Kasich. I thank Him for His leadership and courage to deal with our Debt, and to create Jobs, and returning Ohio to the greatness we once had. He helped balance our National Budget in the 90′s as a congressman, And I have faith that the same principals He used then will work now. Stand strong Gov. Kasich The people are with you Sir !
Dear Governor Kasich,
I was the Legislative chair for Ohio for the Child Nutrition delegation for 18 yrs. that came to DC every year to visit our senators and congressmen. You were in congress at that time. I remember you well and was impressed . I campaigned
hard for you among many groups and of course voted for you.
I have object to SB5 having also been a former teacher and have son that is teacher who won Teacher of the year. Unless people are in the shoes of teachers they do not understand. They are tax payers. They contribute a lot to their health care and their retirement. People say they have it easy and I say no way. Please don’t balance the budget on their backs or the backs of firemen and police etc..I am a Rebublican but this bill is just not right. There has to be more ways to balance the budget than this Do you or someone on your staff answer these comments.?
Please restore my faith and all the others I convinced to vote for you.
Sincerely,
Rene Weber
Cleveland,Ohio
I am a public employee of 17 yrs. . I am also very fiscally consevative. I am a classified employee and make half as much as most teachers in my district. I liked SB 5 in it’s original form. I thought I could use the union dues to offset some of the healthcare costs that are coming. I feel classified employees are really really going to be hurting. Cafeteria, custodians, bus drivers etc. are going to pay 20% along with the teachers? How is that fair? Please fight for us to pay a little less than teachers or many of us will be forced to find other jobs.
Governor, I wish to respectfully suggest that collective bargaining is not the sole cause of our state’s financial woes. Collective bargaining did not create the bloated upper management and exempt positions in various departments. Start trimming positions that are truly unnecessary, as opposed to trying to paint all state employees as leaches on the backs of the hard working citizens of Ohio. I am a state employee, I work hard, and I pay taxes,too.
I did not vote for you personally, but I like your style & I think you are heading in the RIGHT direction. I am a college educated, single woman who lost an excellent paying job when Chrysler pulled out of Twinsburg. I had my life turned upside down, having to sell my beautiful house at a loss. I was proud of the UAW, but the local leadership was garbage. I am all for unions, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. PEOPLE SHOULD BE PAID WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS PAYING WITH COMPARABLE BENEFITS. PERIOD!!!! Why is it that the municipalities rely on property taxes to support the schools, which the State has declared unconstitional 3 times & property values continue to decline, but the taxes don’t. When I lived in Stow, the Stow-Munroe Falls district spent 84% of its tax dollars on SALARY & BENEFITS. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS & people had no problem bashing the autoworkers, but I GUARANTEE YOU, THAT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS & LABOR INTENSIVE JOB. I really like the Governor’s business ideas & as much as I approve of unions, there must be a limit, especially where precious tax dollars are concerned.
Governor,
I was a State Of Ohio employee for 30 years and have been in the GOP since I was 18 years old.
I voted for you and I won’t do that again. I’m sorry you think this bill is going to balance the budget by take pay and benfits away from us. These state employees that work for you and this state also pay taxes and vote. I’m sorry but this is wrong on so many levels. You are opening a big can and you will see no more results from this for your own gain. I will make it a point to change any no I know not to vote for you again. You have just lost my vote. You should have cut your pay and health benfits first. We pay to park where you park for free. I pray you get some wisdom.
Dear Gov. Kasich, thank you for this opportunity to express how I feel,. “FORTUNATELY’ I do have a son that teaches in the state and my daughter is in college heading for a degree in special education. I feel that what you are doing is totally wrong. Where do you think everyone in the country received their education from, where would YOU or anyone else be without an education? I’m sure you wouldn’t be sitting in the Governor seat!!!
These poor teachers are already under paid for the amount it costs to put yourself through college. My daughter hopes to be a Special Education teacher and to me that takes a special type of person to deal with these children that do need extra help. I hope that my efforts do not get shoved aside. I think the cuts in spending need to begin the State officials and their employees. After all, HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE AND
RETIREMENT.
It’s so ironic. My teacher/daughter was forced to grow up pretty poor (father left, no money) but through a calling from God, she put herself through college (no help, paid for by herself) and got her dream and finally an income that afforded her to have a little better life. She has no husband/children or any family. When I’m gone, she’s totally alone. She advised me yesterday her income is going to come crashing down after she spent like $85,000.00 for her education. She worked all through college but was the only one in our family who went to college.
My question? I know money has to be found – but why should people go to college and strive for a better life when it will be ripped from you? In business today, if a boss (private sector) doesn’t like the way you part your hair, he can fire you in a heartbeat, so although I never worked for a union company, I can see the need against tyrant employers. I also think the thing to do is not allow the unions to contribute to politics. Those dues should be used for the pension and medical plans no?
I am satisfied that you are working to control unions in Ohio. I think the impact GMunions had on Ohio was way out of control, k-12 teachers need controlled now! Higher ed is a different story, especially nurse educators. Please reconsider nurse educators in higher ed. My mom is a nurse educator and I have watched her work 20 hour days to meet professionalo demands, earning advanced degrees (paid out of my inheritance and sadly her retirement),meetig student needs, publishing and community service. She is very deserving of her salary and of her pension. If her health holds out she will be 70 years old before she can retire. That is way too old for her to work. My brother and I (19 & 21) worry about whether we will be able to care for her someday. We also have a 12 year old sister to be concerned for– mom needs the security of the union just to get tenure requirements– her job is so competitive and demanding that I think she’d be better off in a nursing home working because that is where she will end up anyway– esepecially if you don’t protect nurse educators. There are not enough of them and they work really hard AND they are trying to teach people to care for a large and growing number of citizens. To talke money and security from them sends a wrong message. Please reconsider nurse educators in higher ed.
Governor,
Taking away collective bargaining is like taking away the right to assemble or vote for representatives. I’m not a Big Union Guy, I’m a lifelong Republican, former municipal policeman, an now a small business owner. My experience shows me that the problem is with the local politicians you are attempting to bail out…they sell out their support for union contracts in return for union support. They are the ones with the selfish agenda. Citizens are not getting the full story on Public Employees. It’s not all that lucrative of a career. In fact we would love to get the benefits politicians get! Remember…most Republicians are blue collar working class people…that includes teachers, policemen, firemen, 911 dispatchers, snow plow operators.
PLEASE PLEASE MR. KASICH GIVE ME A CHOICE TO NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE UNION!!!
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE UNION DUES STOLEN FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS WHEN THEY DON’T WANT TO BE A MEMBER?
DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT THAT?
DOES ANYONE SEE HOW UNCONSTITUTIONAL THIS IS?
I WANT A CHOICE!!!
Governor Kasich,
I am a teacher who has just lost my teaching job as an intervention reading specialist for elementary students. My position was eliminated due to financial constraints that exsist in my district. I am crushed, but understand the need to work within a budget. I support you and SB5. Stay the ground.
Susan, Delaware, Ohio
Gov.
Stop collecting union dues from State Union employees.Let the unions collect their own monies.
Lets see how supportive the members are then.
Thank you for your stand against the old school way of doing things. Obviously it did not work so something new needs to happen. Do not compromise when the whiners arise. I worked for the county for 22 yrs and found many ways money was wasted. Under the current director lots of money saving things took place. Unfortunately too many people look to big government to take care of their problems instead of looking to their own talents. Be sure we as a family are praying for you and your family as you serve our great state.
I did vote for you and did support your campaign financially. I want to live in a Right to Work state. I think that is a clear message.
My mom has worked for the State of Ohio for 25 years, and the only raises that she gets is union raises. So to get rid of the union would not help her. Merit raises are already at her agency because its who you know not the good work that she does. She has a supervisor that can’t and will not ever know how to do her job. She’s had other people promoted around her and they do less work because shes not a favorite. My mom is a great hard dedicated employee that always puts her job first and never gets no rewards. By the way her agency is very top heavy and too many supervisors and not enough workers. Several supervisors to one or two employee ratio. Why do state workers when administrations change do we get rid of one making good salary and bring in the new adminstration even making more money if were broke????
Like most politicians, most don’t know where the truth began, and the lies end. I want to see good things come to those, like myself work for it. I graduated in 2000 as a Paralegal, and yet I can not find a job. I still have to finish paying my student loans on a degree, I can’t use. I work in retail part time, at 8 to 12 hours a week. How am I suppose to live? I am not living with my parents, I have no family to go to, and I struggle everyday to keep from living on the street. Yes, I need a good paying job. But, I am not getting any younger, and I can’t wait forever. Thank You for your time.
Sincerely,
Connie S. Adams
Govenor Kasich,
Thank you for standing up for the average Ohioan and supporting the middle class. The public unions are not the middle class and unfortunately they have caused a rift between the public and the private sector. Thank you for facing this problem head on. Stand strong and keep up the good work.
I am a school employee in the OAPSE union . I am an aide in a special ed class for 11 years. My income is only $19,000 a year and out of that I pay my fair share for insurance, union and state dues, and taxes. That doesn’t leave much for paying bills or for food for that matter. Every year I come back to work for less money because my yearly wage increase is only 20 cents an hour and my insurance rates increase more than my pay increase. So if SB5 passes I will be working solely for the purpose of having health insurance. I guess I will have to get a 2nd and 3rd job so I don’t lose my home and wind up homeless. If you think my small wage will balance the budget then I think you need to look higher up the tree. Like maybe Mr. Kasich’s pocket
SB5 is not the answer. My sister has been in education for many years, with credentials to match. If it passes, she stands to lose 50% of her income. Tell me how that is fair?
Tax payers need to fully understand how bad this is going to be for our schools. Education as we know it today will not exist.
There are no statistics that support the aboliton of collective bargaining. In fact, there are statistics that show that states without collective bargaining preform consistently worse than other states in budget balancing, education, and job creation. Please come to some sort of compromise with SB5. Leave your ego at home and think of ALL citizens of Ohio
What I want to know is when are you, and all the elected officials in this country who scream about balancing the budget, going to take a heafty cut in pay? Why should we pay for your pensions and healthcare? You need to eliminate all of your government perks as well. Then we can talk about what the Middle class needs to give up. As I see it, this country would do fine if we got rid of all of you blithering idiots.
Please don’t give up on your position on collective bargaining. The current status quo with respect to public sector unions has significantly contributed to our state’s sorry financial condition. This administration was elected on it’s promise to solve budget problems. This is would be a good place to start.
Dear Governor Kasich,
I thank you for keeping your word and getting Ohio back on track.
everybody needs to stop the sniffling and crying you’re either qualified or not. People need to get off the racism wagon, where I come from you work hard you get what you deserve. I believe people sound like such morons when all I hear is “oh, he doesn’t respect diversity” so yeah let’s make them hiring somebody not qualified and get nothing done but bickering all the time. Everyone takes being turned sown to personal it’s a job not your life. Money and fame is nothing, especially if you end up being all alone because of how you got there
Also while I’m on my soap box, it’s not the governments job to make sure we have jobs. It’s their job to make sure we have assistance between them. I don’t know about you but I’m not crazy about the government saying, yeah let’s create jobs because, this is what happens what ever happened to a person trying to make something out of nothing. It just seems like most of everyone is just waiting on a hand out.
Hope you will make necessary adjustments if SB5 passes. Get rid of requiring a Masters Degree and requiring teachers to pay the many thousands of dollars for the need college courses to renew their license. Have the State pay for all the supplies and books that teachers pay for out of their pockets? Is the State going to pay overtime to all the teachers that spend hours beyond the scheduled work day in order to be better in the classroom and get papers returned in a timely manner??
What are you giving up (salary and benefits) to help the State of Ohio?
All of you who are so unhappy with teachers and their salary and benefits need to take over a classroom for at least a week to see what it requires to teach your children.
Everyone had and has the right to decide their own profession. If it requires schooling you could have gone. I paid for my own schooling and my children paid for their schooling and worked while getting their education.
Teachers and other public employees are tax payers.
I know there are some things that need to be changed but please do it correctly and respectfully.
Gov. Kasich- I did vote for you, but I am so disappointed with what is happening with your push to pass senate bill 5. I have taught first grade for 30 years and love my job. I’ve had 11 years of college, have a master degree plus over 200 hours of continuing education. It took thirty years to reach my salary of $65,000. That is a starting salary for many in the private sector who have much less education than I have. I put every bit of 12 hours a day into my job. And I am not alone. Most teachers are hard working dedicated people who care deeply about the children they teach. You do not seem to care about how you are hurting honest, hard working people. But, please consider that your decisions will negatively affect the future of thousands of young children.
DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO IF ELECTED. THAT IS WHY I VOTED FOR YOU.
don”t give up .
Gov Kasich, I am a public employee w/>20 yrs service. I am directly affected by this legislation. But, I am a taxpayer and a parent first and foremost. I want to be able to leave to my children the same wonderful country that I have been able to enjoy for over 55yrs. I believe that we all have to sacrifice and we do need to attract business to our great state. My children could not find jobs locally and have moved away due to the economy here. Please keep up the fight for our future. Make sure that they pass the legislation so that we have future to pass on to future generations.
I would be glad to give a donation. But it seems like every year I get taxed more and more. Gas goes up,costs go up,everything goes up but my wages.Maybe if you could somehow lower my taxes I would have some extra money to donate to you.
I support you with SB5. We have to get the union leadership under control. I pray that God will show you the way and I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless You.
Please oppose SB 5. I have taught for 21 years (19 in Ohio), and have consistently earned less in my position as teacher than those working in other fields with comparable levels of education. I very much appreciate the ability to negotiate for benefits as a result. Please, consider the negative impact SB 5 will have on those who work for the public. Consider please what types of people will be attracted to the positions of fire fighter, police officer, or teacher with no ability to negotiate benefits, and consistently lower pay. NOT the quality individuals we want to protect us and instruct our children. Certainly not the quality we now have. Not only will many dedicated quality individuals leave Ohio for betting paying jobs, but those in college here will be reluctant to pursue careers in such low paying positions. Please oppose SB 5.
We as teachers have to, by law in the state of Ohio,continue our education. This is to the song of thousands of dollar out of our pockets to keep our licensure. I love the students I am able to help on a daily basis as a special education teacher. I am their advocate even when they don’t have one at home. I do MY job! Until you have walked in our shoes how can you put a value on what I do? Unions should be fairly reformed, not demolished. I will not be contributing to your fund until you acknowledge that your teachers do their best for the future of our society. We are not the enemy.
Thank you for your time,
Jacque and Tiffany
Governor Kasich,
I support your actions in Senate Bill 5. I am a federal government employee. We are not supported by a Union. We also pay 33% of our insurance health care cost, contribute to our retirement plans to get a matching 3% and do not have union protections. You are doing the right thing and this should just be the start. We need to tackle entitlement reform next. We also need to look at making government more cost effective by eliminating duplication and reducing regulations. This needs to be done on the federal level as well. If I am a victim of such cuts, so be it. You move on. I would favor the idea of making the arbitration idea a phase in process over time. This would give those people that it will effect time to make a career decision. No one is forcing anyone to be a teacher, or a firefighter. You have a choice. If you can find a better deal go get it. That is what the free market is all about. There will be ten people waiting to take you job. We have this attitude in this country that we are entitled to everything. It’s time to GET REAL.
Jim Greve
Anna, Ohio
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Governor Kasich for everything you are doing to revive Ohio and get us back on track. Here is an email I just sent my state senator, Senator Kevin Bacon:
Dear Senator Bacon,
I attended the 2 hearings last week on Senate Bill 5 and appreciate very much the skill with which you are conducting these hearings.
I am writing this letter partly because I know that you are under tremendous pressure from the opponents of this bill to cave in to their demands that this bill be derailed somehow.
I want you to know that there are thousands and thousands and thousands of ordinary Ohioans like me who understand that these changes to collective bargaining with public sector unions are DESPERATELY NEEDED BY THIS STATE!!!!
Indeed, I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that the very survival of Ohio and its economy may hang in the balance. If this bill (in some form, with most of its most important provisions) is passed, the way is clear in Ohio to a bright, prosperous, competitive, and free future. If this bill is not passed, then the future of Ohio is very, very bleak indeed – businesses will fail and/or leave the state, the economy will stagnate and perhaps even collapse, taxes will rise, the standard of living FOR ALL OHIOANS will plummet – in short, IF THIS BILL IS NOT PASSED, IT WILL BE A DISASTER FOR THE STATE OF OHIO!!
I could list here for you all of the many, many reasons why this state needs this bill desperately, but I’m sure you know them all. I am just writing this letter to say emphatically – the reasons why this state needs this bill are real, they are myriad, they are monumental, they are urgent, and they are decisive.
Pleeeeeeeeease support this bill in EVERY way that you can. Our state needs it. The stakes are literally beyond expressing, even beyond conceiving.
You can be a part of literally saving the future of our great state. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you and the other Senators and Representatives of Ohio to be great statesmen (and stateswomen) and to make history by leading our state into a bright future. We MUST have Senate Bill 5!
I have worked for a school system for 15 yrs. and have seen major abuse of union greed and unnecessary sick days that are taken because men and women feel they deserve them. Since I have been forced to join the union, I have worked 4 yrs. without a raise and whe we did get one EVERYONE got the same. Even the people that call off every Monday and Friday and their job performances were less than adequate. The unions protect the LAZY. Now we have to deal with the LAZY’S every day, while our school system pays $80 a day for a sub
I really feel Mr. Kasich that you do not have the right information on some of the state workers. I do believe there is some abuse, but I also believe that there are alot of us not making the teachers’s wages and other higher positions that have finally through collective bargaing have finally made it to a decent living wage. Through the bargaining I have an adaquate retirement, not lavish,unless you think $900.00 a month minus health care and taxes is elaborate.It has taken me 27 years to achieve that much. Please find a way to make changes that will not destroy my hope for the future. I am sure there are many other wasteful practices and projects that will not hurt the lower paid state workers that could be looked into. Perhaps this bill could be adjusted to not effect those in a lower income bracket?
When I worked for private non-profit agencies and scrounged for every penny, it was difficult. I took a job with the state, and was so shocked to get three pay raises every year!! A longevity raise, a cost of living raise, and a step pay raise. This occurred for several years before I would only receive the cost of living pay raise. I was so surprised by all of this change. I’ve been trying to reach you and Ms. Taylor prior to the election, but noone has reached out to me. I had a list of issues that I felt you might need to be made aware of with budgetary issues. Not that you need my help, but after 10+ yrs with state gov’t I do have some insight. Thank you for your time, and I do believe that our first responders, law enforcement, etc should be exempt from bargaining issues on 5.
Governor Kasich,
I have supported financially (through this link) your campaign and I voted for you. I STILL support you. My wife is a teacher and will see the effects of your initiatives and SB 5. Please seriously look at two issues we are deeply concerned about. 1. Merit pay. Conceptually it is a great idea; pay for performance. The question is, what are the parameters? There are kids with developmental issues, language barriers and poor parenting and home support. Will this be taken into consideration with regard to “scores.” Classes year to year can change drastically as kids come in with different issues.
2.My wife has worked extremely hard trying to finish her masters, working long hours and raising our kids with me. The reason she sought her masters is for her effectiveness as a teacher and an increase in pay. If the state is trying to encourage performance and pay for it, why should teachers like this be at risk of her salary being cut severely. That is a contradictory to the initiatives. Please TALK with reasonable minded, conservative teachers to get their feed back. We will be more than willing to volunteer our time Thanks,
Stay the course, Governor. We need this change! We will have to sell our house if our school district passes another levy so teachers can get their raises every year. They only work 8 months out of the year if you total all their time off – 2 weeks at Christmas, spring break, Thanksgiving and other Holidays. A fourth grade teacher in our district is making $82,000 a year (8 months). I am a state lawyer making $67,000 with the same number of years as a lawyer as she is a teacher. The difference? I am not in a union. She is making $15,000 more a year and spends all summer at her lake house when I have to go to work during the summer. What about snow days? Why don’t teachers have to report to work like other tax paid workers? They should have to put in classroom time and sit in traffic like the rest of us. Teachers work hard – for 8 months – but so do the rest of us – for 12 months! They are picketing because they have a lot to lose. Stay the course, John! I support you.
I did not vote you into office for you to attack the jobs of the backbone of our state, the police, the firemen, and the teachers. I am totally against Senate Bill 5 and if you continue to support it, I will be one of the thousands of voters who will work at voting you out. I, a diehard Republican ever since I could vote, am deeply saddened and shamed by your actions and attitude of disrespect toward these professional people who have worked diligently to making Ohio a better and safer place to live.
My wife is an Intervention Specialist who has taught developmentally handicapped students at the primary level for over 25 years. She spends 8-9 hours at school each day, then brings home more work to be done in the evening and on weekends. She has been bit, spit on, cursed at, and injured by students to the point where physical therapy was required. She is paid a below average wage (Economic Policy Institute) based on her education. Now the same politicians that have been using Lottery money to replace Education Dept. funding so they can spend the money that it replaces and pass laws that make her job more and more difficult, have decided to take away the only way she and her colleagues have to keep the benefits they have worked for intact. Please send me the list of the Legislators that vote “For” this Bill and I will do everything I can to make sure they are NOT re-elected.
This isn’t a popularity contest…you have a job to do, and some people will never get it that our state is broke, and everyone must make concessions. Hold fast to your goal of bringing this state out of the mess it is in thanks to years of handouts and spending. Nobody said this would be easy.
Why is it that in an economic crunch our “leaders” attack those of us who are the productive, educated and already “underpaid” (relative to other educated members of the private sector) members of the society. At the same time, we continue to extend a “helping hand” to anyone who ‘cant find work,’ and/or is contributing nothing to the system.
Additionally, considering the prowess that consumers spending has with respect to the economy as a whole, does it seem intelligent to undercut such a large portion of the population that has a “stable” job? What sort of downward cycle are our leaders attempting to create? Isn’t it possible to demand, through policy change, that our parasitic members get off the bench and start pulling THEIR weight? Yet I’ve seen nothing suggested on reducing “entitlement” programs whatsoever!
As an educator, I have little leverage with students on “selling” them on investing into their own education; however, I always insist that the following equation applies – MORE EDUCATION = MORE MONEY. Apparently this doesn’t apply to those who do the educating.
The message sent with the proposal to end collective bargaining has little to do with partisanship, but rather sends a loud cry philosophically that our government does not respect/value the strong, productive, contributing, producers in our society. Further, they seem to be oblivious to the critical, prerequisite, role that we play to sustaining the civilization to begin with!
Stand strong Gov. Kasich. I voted for you because We, Ohio, needed someone to make the hard decisions, you sir are our only hope.
At least most (probably the same percentage as private sector) public employees do perform work. If you aree going to essentially cut the wages and benefits of working people what about the “wages” and benefits of welfare recepients. We all see our tax dollars wasted on a daily basis on people that will not work, will not parent their children, and practice terrible lifestyle and health habits that all taxpayers (including public employees) pay for. CUT WELFARE and force people to be responsible citizens.
Gov. K. I urge you to continue your efforts to make changes to collective bargaining. The ability of schools and local government to manage has been eroded over time and most of the problem lies with current rules that are restrictive to local leaders trying to balance budgets. Management needs the rules to give them the ability to manage. Your efforts in this area are a move in the right direction.
Please stand by the abused taxpayer. We have no union to bargain for us. I believe that no public worker should have a union. You are hired to do a service. What makes you think that you are better than the rest of us? Why do you have a seperate pension and not Social Security? Unions where first established to balance the industrial abuse of workers by company”s. not for government jobs. as far as teachers go I know that your job is important but this is a basic part time job. your salary is for 180 days of work. Most people don’t make what you do for 6 mos. in three years.
Please proceed with SB5 as drafted. Why should state employee unions be treated differently or have greater power and benefits than federal employee unions? State employees don’t “have a right” to better benefits than federal employees. I am a retired federal employee with 34 years of service.
Governor,
Hang in there, we support you. This is a difficult time and I’m sure it will get worse. Keep to your principles and do what you feel i right.
Gov. Kasich keep up the good work. While not in a union I have friends and family who are. I don’t think you are trying to “bust unions”. I was glad to hear you speak FOR THE TAXPAYERS on Oreilly. I don’t know what the national total of public union employees is in America , but I do know we could tax every worker on the planet and still not pay for all the wages and perks.
Our union friends surely must know the Gov. makes nothing and must pay for all of this with confiscated taxes. We appreciate their hard work but they need to brought more in line with the private sector. Thank you again, and stand firm.
Gov. Kasich,
I am a 31 year veteran of teaching, both private and public. I am also very active in the union and believe strongly in collective bargaining,pay and benefits equal to the professional level that is required to be an effective teacher. Without collective bargaining, teachers and other public school employees are at the mercy of school boards who, when they need to cut the budget, will reduce force by laying off veteran teachers who have the most experience but also have a higher cost.
Gov. Kasich, you are opening a Pandora’s box. I don’t think you’re going to like what you see. I voted for you, however I can honestly say I am sorry I did.
.
Govenor Kasich, now is not the time to go weak in the knees. Stand firm and resolute. Honor the committments you made to the voters who elected you. Do not be dissuaded by media coverage of the protesters. Know that we support your effort. Do not compromise on SB5. Restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to our state.
Dear Governor,
First, I’m not a public employee or teacher, but I have a background in education, so I’ll restrict my comments to education. If collective bargaining is abolished, what will prevent boards and/or administrators from arbitrarily laying off older (and thus more expensive) teachers in their schools. What protection will they enjoy?
Second, although merit pay sounds good, who decides who is merit-worthy? All too often, I have seen administrators give preferential treatment to friends and/or coaches. This preference would probably continue under a merit-pay proposal. How will solid educators be protected against capricious actions by adminiustrators?
I was a union member when I worked at AT&T (Ma Bell) back in the ’70s. I didn’t want to be in the union, but they were going to take my money whether I was a member or not. I decided that I would rather have a say in what they did with my money. I was actually a “loyal” member, becoming a steward to represent my fellow members. I learned that there were indeed cases of injustice being done to good workers and I could help get justice done. Although I still don’t agree with unions in principal I can see that they are here to stay and should be dealt with in a fair manner.
I feel that you are doing the Republican party an injustice by being so blunt and unreasonable at least in the reports I have seen in the papers and the news media. I understand that sometimes drastic measures have to be taken to bring parties to a bargaining table, but have you given bargaining and compromise a chance? If not, then how are you as a Republican any better than the Democrats who subjected us all to “ObamaCare” when the majority of the country didn’t want it?
I would rather see union leaders called in to discuss what their members would be willing to give up in order to help dig their state out of the hole it is in instead of trying to just rip things away from them. If a company treats its employees that way the employees can go “next door” and work for another company that will treat them right, union or no union. Where can the state workers and teachers go but to another state? This is not right.
Negotiate now. Work to change laws and bargaining methods later only if it has been shown in public during the negotiations that the unions (and their members) are indeed as greedy, uncaring and underhanded as many say and believe they are. You might be surprised.
You have already succeeded at making a lot of people sorry they voted for you. It seems that the hard working people always get screwed. If you want to get waste to government employees, start at the top. None of the workers you want to hurt get the same kind of benefits as governors and senators, but I don’t see you going after them.
Look in the mirror
Chuck Butler
Gov. Kasich keeps stating that state employees need to do their part to balance the budget by paying more for health insurance and other benefits and be more in line with the what employees in the private sector pay and receive. One problem with that is that state employees are not allowed, by law, to receive anything other than what they receive from the taxpayers of pay and benefits. We cannot receive tips, christmas bonuses, tickets from customers to ball games or free dinners. We can also not accept profit sharing, incentive bonuses and have received two pay cuts for the past two years and pay freezes for too many years to count. I have heard nothing from Gov. Kasich of who else is sacrificing for this “reform package”. Why isn’t anyone making a big stink for the banks and companies who received a bailout…after being the major contributor for the mess we are all in, to be made to pay and sacrifice like the taxpaying government workers? We all should be also protesting to make them pay instead of giving them more money to create jobs.
Don’t attack the workers (they r voters) thats not creating jobs!
Governor Kasich,
In these times of alleged fiscal crisis when the poor and working classes are being asked to make sacrifices, why is it that the wealthy are not asked to make any sacrifices whatsoever. Instead, they are rewarded with tax breaks. Please explain the ethics behind this. Are there any ethics behind this? Do you have any ethics at all?
After reflecting on my previous post, I would like to add the following:
Instead of moving so quickly and aggressively on Senate Bill 5…so quickly there is no time for serious and compromise discussions among all invested parties. Why couldn’t representatives from each section affected by SB5 have a meeting with the government representatives and the governor…after all,we were the people who put them into power. As an officer of our district’s union, I would be glad to speak to the governor and elected officials on how SB5 will affect our district. SB5 is based on the premise that people and jobs are expendable if needed to pass the state budget. We pay taxes just like everyone else. Provide our union officers with the opportunity to be heard.
Dear Sir,
With all due respect, I do not agree with your approach to this problem. Being an engineer, I am not a union man. I have worked in a company which did not have union and currently work in one that does. Workers in the non-union company made about 2/3 of those in the union shop. The non-union company, by the way, is now out of business.
A union can sometimes result in unmotivated workers and other abuses. However, the union is also the only way to prevent some abuses by the company. It is the workers way of negotiating with the employer. An employer, such as you and the other governors who are trying to hamstring the unions, are merely trying to get around an inability to negotiate for salary and benefit reductions.
When I reflect on current events and see the crowds in Madison, Columbus, Egypt, and Libya, I can’t help drawing a picture of similarity where the leadership refuses to really hear the people and have dialog. “Don’t confuse me with facts, my mind’s made up”. You may think you have a mandate because you have a very vocal minority, the Tea Party, pushing you. However, I think there is a larger group of independent thinkers like me who feel that, even though I’m not in a union, I feel workers, publc or private, should be able to belong to one, and negotiate with management without the kind of restrictions you propose. I predict, that if you continue in this direction, the Democrats won’t look so bad. I agree that we must solve the state’s budget problems, but this isn’t the way. Go back and come back with an approach that affects everyone, including the wealthy, not just the working guy.
Governor Kashich,
I DO NOT support SB5. It will do little, if anything, to balance Ohio’s budget, except maybe on paper. The working taxpayers who are the target of this legislation DID NOT create this fiscal mess. Collective Bargaining did not create it either. Press ahead with SB5 and I’ll view it the same way as I viewed the Dems Political Machine cramming Obama Care down our throats. Consider the not-so-distant history when teachers salaries were at such low levels that we couldn’t attract, much less retain, career teachers. Why? The Private Sector took the cream of the crop, and more, with better wages and benefits. Going forward with SB5 without serious debate on long term ramifications to state and national educational goals is, I fear, a serious miscalculation.
I am a public employee and I believe your actions will hurt not help Ohio’s economy.
As a public school teacher, I am astounded that there are so many people that support this bill. I bet no one who agrees with this bill on this whole forum is going to be personally affected by this. Is Ohio is trouble? Of course. Why don’t we start at the top? While our governor is trying to cut my salary in half, he his giving his staffers raises. Trim some of the pork and fat at the state level Governor Kasich. Leave teachers, police, and fire fighters alone!!!!!
How is this bill going to save the state money when people start loosing jobs or getting paid only a fraction of what they should be getting paid, they will than turn to the whole welfare system. now you are picking up more and more people getting free insurance, foodstamps, hud, cash assistance etc.
As a businessperson who works closely with unions in both the public and private sector, I can see there are many well intended, but uniformed citizens. Let me share some facts:
Reducing costs always increases the opportunity for hiring; thus increased employment.
My experience shows that collective bargaining in an environment of binding arbitration where union typically provide the majority of work for arbitrators, is an uneven playing field in favor of the union workers. Therefore it is more of a process of collective arm-twisting by the gov’t unions. I have had arbitrators decide that my union workers must receive pay raises even when their department budget was in the red. Per the arbitrator, “it’s not their (union workers) job to worry about how to pay the bills.”
Government union membership is like having a pizza party and the government workers eat all of the pizza. FACTS from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Jan 21, 2011:
42.3% of local gov’t workers are union members compared to 6.9% of private sector workers.
Median weekly earnings for a gov’t worker in 2010 was $911 compared to $717 for non-union gov’t workers and the union workers received bigger raises from 2009 to 2010.
This is NOT about if the gov’t union workers are good or bad. There are MANY good gov’t union workers. I’m blessed to have them working in my community, but we can no longer afford the outrageously high labor cost of gov’t union workers.
I join with others in supporting the people who are upset with what you are trying to do to the collective bargaining rights of public employees. As a retired teacher, I appreciate the concerns they articulate. I am suspect that this has to do with a power grab and will not create one more job in Ohio. The bargaining rights that you seek to eliminate are those that brought major resolution to many of the issues in Wisconsin. The hypocracy of giving tax breaks to the wealthy and business and solving real budget problems on the”backs” of the middle class is wrong. I worked for 30 years with the best – they worked tirelessly to educate children in a poor socio-economic area. They deserve your support. Our future depends on it. Hopefully you will find a better way to govern and will work as my fellow teachers did – with wisdom and grace.
Gov Kasich. I have been a Republican for 42 years since I have been eligible to vote, and even voted for you everytime you ran for office in washington. However you are scaring me to death! My wife works for the city and is union, I work for a library that isn’t. We took these jobs becasue we liked what we would be doing, not becasue of benefits or the pension. However now that I have paid into the pension for 22 years it seems to me that it is going to be pulled away from us. I also work another job that I pay into SS, I have worked 2 jobs most of my adult life, and I know I will never get out of SS what I put in. You end to heap “governmnet workers” under this umbrella liek we are to be hated because we ruined Ohio. Neither of us had raises for 2 years, we have had furlough days, we have had benefits cut all the same as private sector. I know there is waste but I don’t see it where I am. Please stop attacking us, we pay our taxes and by taking away from State Gov that most people in the state have to support somehow even by state tax, if you cut schools and such they will just pass levies that make it hard on homeowners and in no way spreads the financial burden. I knwo you need to balance the budget but there have to be other options. I know you don’t care, but I wanted my say. Thank you
Lead by example, you want public employees to take cuts but paid your cabinet members more than the previous administration. Model the policies you promote, you and your cabinet should take the same cuts. Be an example for us.