Group has 214K signatures in Ohio union law fight

COLUMBUS (AP) — Opponents of Ohio’s new collective-bargaining law say they’re nearly halfway to their goal as they gather petition signatures toward putting a referendum on the fall ballot.

The group We Are Ohio said today it has collected more than 214,000 signatures so far. It’s shooting for more than 450,000, to be certain of meeting the state threshold.

Those seeking to repeal the law need more than 231,000 valid signatures by June 30 to get the measure before voters. The signatures have to be from at least 44 of the 88 counties.

The law signed by Gov. John Kasich in late March bans public employee strikes and restricts collective bargaining rights for more than 350,000 teachers, police officers and others.