Mahoning Democrats offer free ride to Columbus to protest SB5 on Tuesday

February 27, 2011 at 8:06p.m.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Senate’s Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee is expected Tuesday to approve a bill that eliminates most collective bargaining for public employees.

The Mahoning County Democratic Party is offering a free ride Tuesday on a chartered bus to those wanting to protest the bill at the Statehouse in Columbus, where the committee vote will be taken.

The bus will leave at 6:30 a.m. from party headquarters at 3321 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown.

The committee hearing is to start at 9 a.m.

Thousands of protesters have rallied in and outside the Statehouse during the past few weeks, including one Saturday.