The controversial bill to severely limit collective bargaining for public employees in Ohio passed the legislature and is ready for Gov. John Kasich’s signature.

Kasich is set to sign the bill at 7 p.m. in the Statehouse State room.

The Ohio House of Representatives passed an amended version of the bill yesterday afternoon. The Senate stayed late to pass the new version of SB-5 last night on a 17-16 party line vote.

The clock is now ticking for the unions who have 90 days to collect 230,000 signatures in order to have the bill’s inaction into law stopped. If they can collect the names then the bill will go to the voters of Ohio this Novembers on a referendum ballot.

Kent State’s non-tenure track union president Tracy Laux said in an interview yesterday after the house passed the amended bill that he was sure it would pass, but he was also pretty confident that the SB-5 would lose at referendum in November.

“Quite of the few of the poles that I’ve seen state that the majority of the people in Ohio, as well as the majority of the people in Wisconsin, are aghast at this attack at middle class people in this country,” Laux said.

But Kasich said in an e-mail to supporters that the bill is positive step for Ohio and its budget.

“There is a reason that the union bosses opposed these changes; because it strips power from the union leaders and returns it to the taxpayers and workers,” Kasich said.

-Anna Staver

Kasich’s e-mail to supporters

Supporter,

Last evening was a victory for Ohio taxpayers.

The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 5 and local governments will now have more tools to control their budgets and provide better services to you at a lower cost.

I will sign Senate Bill 5 today.

But this is just one step towards fixing our state and making the necessary reforms to bring jobs to Ohio.

Will you support our ongoing efforts to fight for Ohio taxpayers with a $20, $10 or even $5 contribution today and help us continue to return the balance of power?

There is a reason that the union bosses opposed these changes; because it strips power from the union leaders and returns it to the taxpayers and workers. But make no mistake; we are fighting to save Ohio and need your help.

The nation is watching us in Ohio and we will provide the leadership necessary to become a job creating state and serve as a model for the rest of America.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

John Kasich

Governor of Ohio

P.S. Please forward this email to 10 of your friends so they know we are fighting to empower the taxpayers and create jobs in Ohio.