Return To Sender on Senate Bill 5
Get the facts is a common statement in the months of October and November elections...But what really are the facts, in particular to Ohio's Senate Bill 5? (A note to all non-Ohioans, this is an important bill facing judgement. Ohio is on pace to lead the direction for the balance of the country regarding the issues listed in this original 400+ page bill.)
Let's face it, facts get misrepresented or contorted depending on which side of the vote you are trying to sway. I want to know the facts before I can make an informed decision.
So, let's get the facts straight about SB 5. First we need to realize that this bill is complicated by the controversial debate on what is right for our schools and more importantly our students and our citizens. It puts many issues on the table that need to be, but with a bill this large we need to realize it becomes inept at being a yes or no issue.
For the purpose of review, this article becomes the (KISS) keep it simple review that will lay out what, we the people, are voting on. Who will the bill affect directly? This bill is directed toward public workers....including, but not limited to teachers, fire fighters and police officers, which will directly affect our communities.The bill is designed to cut costs and balance a budget that needs tending to.
What gets cut in the SB 5 bill? First item: No striking along with no collective bargaining in unions, which would include charter schools. Unions are the 3rd party negotiators for workers such as teachers, to ensure proper or fair and appropriate working conditions.
Currently on the table are benefits discussions. The bill introduces a flat 15% payout by these employee's in regards to their health benefits. It would be a mandated changed for public employees. Many teachers have already accepted, as a result of collective bargaining, this proposed increase. Teachers recognized that there was a need to cut spending and they accepted the increase. There is a wide range of what percent is being paid by employee's, currently, but on average it will increase from 8% to 15% of their pay. Some might represent this as a 50% increase, which it is in some cases, but going from 8 to 15% is not a bad solution to help cut the budget. Most of us have seen these increases passed down to us already. Why should these employee's get a cheaper rate? We are all living in defunk economic times, so cuts need to be made. This seems like a logical one, which many teachers have already accepted. This would favor a yes vote for me...BUT there is more.....
Continued on the next page
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