Add Ohio Gov.-elect John Kasich to the list of new governors looking to diminish some of the power of public employee unions through changes in collective bargaining laws. Earlier this week the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Kasich "has made it clear that dismantling Ohio's collective bargaining law will be a top priority of his administration." Like Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kasich will target in particular binding arbitration rules often used to settle contract disputes between municipalities and unions, which the governor-elect says are bankrupting Ohio cities. But unlike Christie, the Republican Kasich has a Republican-controlled legislature, which theoretically should make it easier to pass his proposals. Still, Kasich warns not to underestimate the power of public sector unions even over the GOP. So in case the legislature balks at his proposals, Kasich says he's ready to take them to voters via a ballot initiative.
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52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
phone (212) 599-7000 / fax (212) 599-3494
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