Seeking a middle ground

Seeking a middle ground

Dayton Daily News: If the debate about collective bargaining is about fixing problems — not about winning political advantage or engaging in payback — there is a middle ground.

Some public employee contracts in Ohio are too expensive and invariably too restrictive. State and local government officials and school board members have cuts deals that seemed affordable at the time, but aren’t any more.

Republicans deserve credit for tackling the cost of government. They have plenty of practices that they can point to that make no sense. But they have to fix those problems thoughtfully and fairly.

When they’ve made their decisions, the people of Ohio will still need good people policing their streets, teaching their children, testing their water, inspecting nursing homes and more. Public service can be affordable and attractive.