SB 5 passes, signed by governor
Senate Bill 5 was passed in House Wednesday, 53-44, after hours of debate over the controversial bill that seeks to limit collective bargaining or public employees.
The Republican-introduced has been signed by Gov. John Kasich.
Ohio 86th District Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) told The Highland County Press he voted for the bill.
"I voted yes on Senate Bill 5 today," Rosenberger said. "This was a tough decision that I weighed very heavily. I took the time to reach out and sit down with firefighters, held town halls, and made sure I was being very studious and learned in the decision I was making. I took some of the comments that were made on how we can better the bill, and we made a few amendments."
Rosenberger said that some of the amendments he was in favor of were the allowance of collective bargaining for personal safety equipment for fire employees, elimination of possible jail time for striking, and eliminating ticket quotas being used to determine performance.
"The ultimate decision was, when I look at this bill and say 'What do we need to do and what is the right thing for the state?' We cannot continue to keep kicking the can down the road, politically. I said it many times on my campaign. Ohio's budget problems are significant."
When looking at what is best for Ohio citizens, Rosenberger said it was passing the bill.
"Too many of our neighbors are out of work and the burden on the tax base is too great," he said. "This bill returns balance."
Rosenberger said that there was a tense atmosphere at the Statehouse dealing with the controversy over the bill.
"As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, I recognize the right to voice opinions," he said. "This is a high-intensity situation. When you change something that has been without reform for three decades, people are going to be protective of those rights, and I get that. At the end of the day, we do not have an unlimited pot of money. We have to be able to find the tools to allow local governments to have the ability to really manage their own budget. That's why we cast that vote today."