Top Ohio House Republican chimes in on collective-bargaining law

YOUNGSTOWN — A top Ohio House Republican said a bill that restricts collective-bargaining rights for public employees moved through the state Legislature too quickly.

But state Rep. Ron Amstutz of Wooster, R-3rd, chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, said today that delaying approval of the legislation known as SB5 [Senate Bill 5] “wouldn’t have changed anyone’s” vote in this “polarized political climate.”

Amstutz was the keynote speaker at today’s Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s annual legislative luncheon at the Maronite Center.

Amstutz, who voted in favor of SB5, said he would have preferred for the bill to have moved through the Legislature “along a track with the budget.” SB5 was approved by the Ohio House on March 30. The budget was approved last week.

“It isn’t a quick-fix proposal,” he said of SB5. “It isn’t something that will immediately change the [government] cost curve.”

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com