Ohio Set to Vote on Ending Public Union Rights
Ohio lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill Thursday that would end collective bargaining for public-sector workers, including firefighters and police officers. The Republicans say that the bill is necessary to close budget deficits, but union members and Democrats say that it is an attack on unions. In Wisconsin Governor Walker is expected to announce his budget proposal this afternoon, with an expected cut of $1 billion in state aid over the next two years. The Governor set 4 p.m. as a deadline for the 14 Democratic Senators to return to the state, citing losses and layoffs if they do not return. The Senators say that they are not coming back today, and that the Governor's bill, which would cut most collective bargaining rights for public sector workers includes other objectionable provisions, such as health care cuts and a clause giving the Governor the power to sell state-owned power plants to whomever he chooses. Protesters remain at the capitols of Ohio and Wisconsin to protest the bills.
See "Ohio Set to Vote on Ending Public Union Rights", Sabrina Tavernise and Richard A. Oppel Jr., The New York Times, February 28, 2011