State Representative Jim Buchy...
Working Together to Bring Jobs
Issue 2 is Key to the New Direction 
August  30, 2011 

Lately, I have noticed a few people in the district speaking about Issue 2, collective bargaining reform for government employees, as if they had all the facts.  Unfortunately, the claims made and printed in local newspapers by these individuals are not the facts.  A YES on Issue 2 means jobs, and a NO means status quo. 

Issue 2 will lower the cost of doing business in this state by providing local governments and the state the ability to rein in labor cost which is the highest cost to any government employer.  The other side wants things to stay the way they are.  According to Rich States, Poor States, Ohio is 49th in economic performance rank.  Our tax structure and policies are costing this state economic productivity.  We must make changes to the way we function as a state.  There are two choices: make changes and move forward, or continue down the same path in a rut that causes productive and promising people to flee the state and jobs to leave.  I supported collective bargaining reform in the legislature because I went to Columbus to do a job; I want to turn this state around. 

In the letters to the editor recently, Governor Kasich and the pro-jobs side was accused of being weak by wanting to negotiate with the unions.  Throughout the collective bargaining reform process we have invited the unions to the table.  We want their input and partnership in this opportunity to turn Ohio in the right direction.  The OEA has not come to the table, and many of the unions refused to offer suggestions on how to correct the language.  During the process I held three public forums in the district.  I listened to the residents and government employees, and I then brought those suggestions back to the legislature.  Those suggestions were a key part of making SB 5 a good bill.  It is natural that leaders would remain open to discussion with the unions and avoid a political battle in November that will cost each side 40 million dollars and fill your mailboxes and consume your televisions. 

Issue 2 is about jobs, and bringing this state in the right direction.  I am confident I am on the right side of this issue.  Despite what you may read from the other side, many Ohioans understand the consequences of the status quo.  In November, I will be voting YES for jobs, YES for Issue 2. That is the right direction and that is how we will move Ohio forward.