Nearly 70 people turn out to discuss SB 5 during town hall meeting

A state official sought input from his constituents, and Friday night Highland County public workers were vocal, and united, in what they think should be done: "Kill Senate Bill 5."

Ohio 86th District Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) held a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland County Administration Building Friday with the intent to listen to people who had concerns regarding state issues, SB 5 in particular. 

Nearly 70 people turned out for the event. Nearly every person in attendance stated they were a public employee, the vast majority of whom were teachers. There were also firefighters, and workers in various unions. 

There were several elected officials in attendance, including Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink, Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips, Hillsboro City Council member Bill Alexander, Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education member Ken Shull, and Liberty Township fiscal officer Jolene Walker. Hillsboro mayoral candidate Terry Mikkelsen was also in attendance. 

Rosenberger arrived to the event 20 minutes late, saying that he had been at another forum in Clinton County that ran over. Each person in attendance was given an opportunity to speak, and the meeting concluded at approximately 9:10 p.m. Rosenberger said he would stay afterward to answer additional questions. 

Rosenberger was joined by Rep. Pete Beck of Warren County.

Several people brought signs opposing SB 5. 

Only one person spoke out that she was in favor of the bill. 

Many questions were posed to Rosenberger regarding the bill, the state budget, and what it would mean for public employees if the bill is passed. Many of the questions regarded a definition of "merit-based pay," how many jobs SB 5 will create, and whether or not it will really save the state money. 

A few people were in tears as they told personal stories about loving their jobs as educators and still struggling to make ends meet living paycheck to paycheck. 

Rosenberger took notes throughout the meeting and answered some questions. He said he was there mainly to listen and get his constituents' perspectives. At times, he said he did not have the answer. 

Rosenberger said that he had not read SB 5 in its entirety.  

Several people voiced their objections that he had not fully read the bill. 

 Several people asked Rosenberger if he was really listening to their concerns or if he had his mind already made up. 

The event was mostly civil, but there were a few angry outbursts. 

Rosenberger said that he had not made up his mind, because the voters' opinions were important, and that it would go through many changes while it was in the House. Rosenberger said he could not give a yes or no answer on whether or not he supported the bill, because the bill as it exists now is not the bill he will eventually vote on. 

However, as he has previously stated, Rosenberger told the group that he would support collective bargaining reform in some form. 

There were a few outbursts, and some people spoke out of turn. 

At one point, several people said they felt they were wasting their time and that Rosenberger was not listening. 

Others periodically thanked the representative and felt that he was listening to them. 

There was often applause for the individual speakers, and the occasional chant of "Kill the bill."

Rosenberger said that he wanted to hear solutions to how the bill could be improved and how the state could help balance the budget that is an estimated $8 billion short.

Carol Shull, a teacher in the Hillsboro City Schools, offered her thoughts on several possible solutions but received cheers and a round of applause for her final solution.

"I know that we've got to find a way to come up with money. I realize that," Shull said. "But take this bill, rip it up. That's a solution. Go back, come up with another bill that realizes that teachers and public employees weren't the ones who created the problem, that we do live in Ohio, that we do benefit from Ohio, so we are going to do our fair share of coming up with the money. But everybody else who benefits from Ohio needs to do that too, and write that bill. And realize that this bill ... was not a good idea."

Check back to highlandcountypress.com for more from the meeting.