Newspaper: Ohio payroll drops for 2nd year

COLUMBUS (AP) — A newspaper’s analysis finds what Ohio pays its work force has dropped for the second year in a row.

The Columbus Dispatch reports today its computer analysis shows the state’s nonuniversity payroll last year totaled about $3.19 billion, down 1.7 percent from 2009.

The Dispatch says the salary total has fallen 3.2 percent since 2008.

The newspaper’s conclusions are based on Ohio Department of Administrative Services data released in response to a public-records request.

The analysis comes amid a heated debate over union rights for Ohio public employees. Republican Gov. John Kasich is pushing to limit collective bargaining in hopes of cutting costs.

The Dispatch reports the biggest payroll savings have come through a freeze in personal leave time included in labor contracts signed two years ago.