An organization committed to opposing Senate Bill 5 is urging Ohio students to vote no on Issue 2 and denouncing the Ohio University Student Senate’s recent stance on the bill.
We are Ohio released a statement today saying students need to take a stand against SB 5.
College students have joined We are Ohio in protesting the controversial bill, passed in March, that limits the collective bargaining rights of public workers. They contributed to the more than 10,000 people who gathered signatures to put Issue 2 on the ballot this November.
If Issue 2 doesn’t pass, Senate Bill 5 will be vetoed.
Last week, Student Senate left a resolution off its agenda that would protest the wording of SB 5 that limits collective bargaining.
The release from We are Ohio included a statement from college students who are against SB 5.
“At Ohio University, the head of the Student Senate is attempting to stifle debate on the issue by refusing to put an anti-Issue 2 resolution on the Senate agenda,” the release states. “He incorrectly said it would have no direct impact on students.”
More than 50 students attended the senate meeting last week to protest senate’s decision, and more than 10 spoke to senate members during the “Student Speakout” session.
Senate’s main reason for removing the resolution from the agenda was a general lack of knowledge of the bill among senate members, Student Senate President Kyle Triplett said.
He added that his comments about SB 5 not directly affecting students were meant to suggest that Student Senate was not the best legislative body to provide a response to SB 5.
“I thought that since this was an issue pertaining to collective bargaining, it would be better vetted within Classified and Faculty senate,” he said. “That’s who is currently affected."
rm279109@ohiou.edu
