Ohio House panel plans possible vote on SB5

COLUMBUS (AP) — A legislative panel that’s considering a bill to restrict collective bargaining in Ohio could vote on the measure next week.

The chairman of the Ohio House labor committee has set a possible vote on the legislation for Tuesday. Chairman Joseph Uecker is also calling for any amendments to the bill to be handed into his office by the end of Monday.

The legislation would ban strikes and limit the collective-bargaining rights of 350,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees.

It passed the Republican-led state Senate on March 2 but has been in a holding pattern in the GOP-controlled House.

Uecker says leadership wants to be sure any changes to the bill could pass the Senate. That chamber narrowly approved the bill on a 17-16 vote.