Union bill sponsor joins Ohio public pension panel

COLUMBUS (AP) — The sponsor of an Ohio measure aimed at curbing the collective bargaining rights of public workers has been named to a panel that oversees the health of the state’s public pension funds.

Republican state Sen. Shannon Jones sponsored the 2011 law known as Senate Bill 5, which voters overwhelming rejected.

Senate President Keith Faber appointed Jones to the Ohio Retirement Study Council last week. The 14-member panel advises the Legislature on the five statewide retirement systems.

Senate Republican spokesman John McClelland called Jones “one of the most knowledgeable and experienced” senators on pension issues.

Groups that opposed the union restrictions have criticized Jones’ appointment. A spokesman for the We Are Ohio coalition called her a “poor choice.”

Other Republicans on the bipartisan panel also had supported the union-limiting law.