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Video courtesy of TV2.

Tension filled the air as students settled into their seats in the Kiva, and the Kent State College Democrats and Kent State College Republicans prepared to begin a heated debate about Issues 2 and 3.

The Kent Political Union hosted the debate Tuesday night. Roughly 125 attendees showed up to hear the two sides discuss how these issues, which will be on the ballot next Tuesday, will affect Ohioans.

Both sides had the opportunity to express its thoughts on Issues 2 and 3 through a traditional debate forum, which was mediated by Richard Stanislaw, assistant political science professor.

Participants remained respectful of one another throughout the event, but as the debate wore on, each side showed its disapproval of the other.

The following are the College Democrats and College Republicans views on Issues 2 and 3.

Issue 2

This involves the public sector’s right to collectively bargain and deals with how teachers will be awarded tenure. The public sector includes police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors and teachers.

Republicans:

Voting YES

“This is a common sense reform,” said Dimitri Savelieff, vice president of the College Republicans. “Employees can bargain for equipment and wages.”

“Teachers will be paid with merit pay,” said Greg Allison, president of the College Republicans. “Merit pay will depend from school to school.”

“We should be a right to work state,” said Chris Conrad, treasurer of the College Republicans. “Texas is doing it right.”

Democrats:

Voting NO

“This hurts everyone,” said Bryan Staul, president of the College Democrats. “It changes collective bargaining to collective begging. It will remove the financial backbone of bargaining.”

“Issue 2 is a blatant attack against public workers,” said Erik Clarke, political director for the College Democrats. “It eliminates collective bargaining and affects teachers’ class sizes … Teachers should have the ability to negotiate class sizes.”

“We’re not a right-to-work state,” Staul said. “[Issue 2] will continue to shrink the middle class … Ohio is union and proud.”

Issue 3

This issue deals with the health care that was implemented by President Barack Obama. It would exempt Ohioans from parts of the current federal health care law.

Republicans:

Voting YES

“It is forcing everyone in the nation to pay into a government program,” Conrad said. “It wastes money.”

“This is Ohio’s way of fighting back against the mandate,” Allison said. “[Americans] reserve freedoms to get health care. You can choose to get health care or not.”

“Charities can help those who can’t afford health insurance,” Conrad said.

Democrats:

Voting NO

“But Obama does care!” Staul said. “It is a basic human right. Stop using the Constitution as a political point to prevent citizens from getting what they need.”

“Obamacare insures over 30 million Americans,” Clarke said. “We’ve ignored health care for decades now, and it’s about time that changed.”

“There aren’t enough charities to help 50 million people,” Staul said.

Contact Megan Tomkins at [email protected].