Chamber’s endorsement of SB5 garners reaction

Photo

David Betras, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown/ Warren Regional Chamber’s endorsement of Senate Bill 5 has local union members and political figures speaking out.

A news conference is planned for 1 p.m. today at 11 Central Square in Youngstown where T.J. Assion, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 140 of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office, and David Betras, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman, will make comments on the endorsement.

In a news release sent to The Vindicator on Tuesday, Assion said middle-class workers believe that SB5 is “an assault on our way of life, both personally and professionally.”

“The agenda and intent behind Senate Bill 5 will in no way help to balance the current budget deficit faced by the State of Ohio,” he said. “First responders believe that Senate Bill 5 is firmly in place to cripple and eliminate the middle-class, working people of our society and prevent us from doing our jobs professionally.”

Tony Paglia, vice president of government affairs for the chamber, issued a statement Tuesday in response: “SB 5 is a common-sense approach that gives state and local government the flexibility and tools to properly and efficiently manage their dwindling resources and continue to provide services to the public without having to raise taxes considerably,” he said. “Further tax increases would only make Ohio — one of the highest-taxed states in the U.S. already — even less competitive when it comes to attracting jobs and investment.”

Betras said he encourages local businesses to stand up to the chamber and pressure them to withdraw support for SB5.