Local officials criticized the current version of the Ohio budget and Senate Bill 5 yesterday, speaking out against the negative effects they would bring to Athens.
State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92nd; Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl; Athens Police Lt. Randy Gray; and City Law Director Pat Lang defended local public workers against SB5, which could result in pay cuts and job losses for public employees across the state.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s proposed budget was passed with amendments in the Ohio House of Representatives and is being reviewed by the Ohio Senate, Phillips said.
A recent study estimates the current version of the state budget will eliminate 50,000 jobs statewide, she added.
“It’s interesting that it has been named ‘The Jobs Budget,’” Phillips said, “when so many jobs will be lost.”
Phillips, who voted against the budget, said it takes money from local government and education to cover the state’s budgetary issues.
“It’s a sleight of hand,” Phillips said, “to push the state’s budget gap to local governments and education.”
These cuts, which are estimated to be $500,000, would crush Athens’ public employees who keep the city running and are already undervalued, Wiehl said.
“It would just poo-poo them to say they are overpaid right now,” Wiehl said.
Local unions have been willing to compromise during difficult economic times, but Kasich has not attempted to negotiate with local governments, said Lang, who negotiates city contracts with unions.
Lang said the governor wants to “demonize” unions while he defends those that are already comfortable.
“Those aren’t Ohio values,” Lang said, “and they sure as hell aren’t Athens values.”
Gray said the loss of funding and collective bargaining rights would make retaining quality law enforcement very difficult for Athens.
“You don’t want anyone underqualified running around with a gun or police lights flashing,” Gray said.
While efforts to repeal SB5 are well underway, Phillips said the state budget is not subject to a referendum. Instead, individuals should petition their state senators to make changes and save jobs, Phillips said.
“This is an attack against Ohio’s middle class,” Phillips said, “and I am very concerned.”
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