Let's put taxpayers in charge

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A “yes” vote on Issue 2 gives citizens a voice in public-sector labor negotiations

Cleveland, Ohio—The Greater Cleveland Partnership is urging a “yes” vote on Issue 2 to give taxpayers more of a voice in how their tax dollars are spent.

When it comes to paying public-sector employees, taxpayers, who are paying their governments' bills, don’t have a say in how their money is spent. State Representative Bill Hayes, who represents Ohio’s 91st district in southern Ohio, points out in an Opinion piece in the Zanesville Times Recorder that “There seems to be a disconnect between the people bargaining for more benefits and private citizens -- the people actually funding the system.

“It is important for everyone to understand that, during the negotiating process, unions bargain for taxpayer money, which was earned in the private sector. The existence of government acting as a buffer zone between government unions and taxpayers makes the process even less transparent...not only does the public not have a say in how this money is being spent, but many times, it doesn't even know when these negotiations are happening.”

Issue 2 will change that.

For example, eliminating binding arbitration will give taxpayers a say in how labor contract decisions are made because elected government officials—not private, often out-of-state arbitrators—will sign off on those agreements. And, they’ll do it in public, not in secret the way it’s done now.

  • Watch our video to learn more.
  • Click here to get the facts about Issue 2.

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As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region. http://www.gcpartnership.com

 

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