GOP lawmakers limit union contributions, money for abortion

From John Curry, December 20, 2006

Subject: GOP = Gut Our Power - What the Ohio Senate did today!

Organized educators are in trouble! John

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"In an 11th-hour maneuver, the Senate moved on a bill containing campaign contribution restrictions on labor unions, a primary source of money for Democratic campaigns, if the unions negotiate contracts for public workers.

The legislation, on which the House will vote today, also prohibits union political action committees from giving more than $2,000 to an officeholder with which it has a bargaining agreement.

Democrats attacked the surprise move as an attempt to undercut a key source of their political support.

``For some time this legislature has been trying to figure out how to tie the hands of labor unions,'' Democratic leader Sen. C.J. Prentiss said."

"The Senate approved the measure 23-10 early today before the conclusion of its business for the two-year session."

Posted on Wed, Dec. 20, 2006

GOP lawmakers limit union contributions, money for abortion

By Julie Carr Smyth
Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Republican principles and power were in the spotlight into the wee hours today as GOP lawmakers scrambled to pass abortion and union restrictions and retain as much legislative power as possible before Democrats take Ohio's helm next month.

Lawmakers facing their first Democratic governor in 16 years moved at breakneck speed in what had been expected to be the session's final day to shove a pile of significant bills through committees and floor votes.

As they awaited Senate action that lasted until 4:15 a.m., the House was forced to schedule another session this afternoon.

Among the GOP's priorities was restoring public faith in a party marred by scandal by passing a host of good-government bills, including measures improving access to government records, cracking down on fundraising from state contractors and restricting campaign donations to state officeholders.

Democrats viewed many of the measures as a direct attack on their coming power, and they painted Republicans as vengeful and anti-voter.

In an 11th-hour maneuver, the Senate moved on a bill containing campaign contribution restrictions on labor unions, a primary source of money for Democratic campaigns, if the unions negotiate contracts for public workers.

The legislation, on which the House will vote today, also prohibits union political action committees from giving more than $2,000 to an officeholder with which it has a bargaining agreement.

Democrats attacked the surprise move as an attempt to undercut a key source of their political support.

``For some time this legislature has been trying to figure out how to tie the hands of labor unions,'' Democratic leader Sen. C.J. Prentiss said.

The Senate approved the measure 23-10 early today before the conclusion of its business for the two-year session.

Democrats were also angered by a bill implementing a minimum-wage increase that voters approved in November, which weakens language in the ballot amendment that would have allowed unions -- with employee permission-- to view private payroll records.

Publicly, however, Democrats focussed their concern on the fact that the bill exempts broad categories of workers from the raise and makes it possible for the first time in decades for workers to opt out of being paid the minimum.

GOP lawmakers said operators of church and recreational camps -- where staffers are technically on duty 24 hours a day -- were among those pushing for the exemptions, without which they might not be able to stay afloat.

The Senate approved the minimum wage measure early today, mostly along party lines, sending it to the House.

Republicans backed off of another bill, which would have made it more difficult for the administration of Gov.-elect Ted Strickland to write government rules. The measure, while unspectacular on its surface, would have significant consequences for Strickland in implementing new environmental, health care and education policy where rule-writing is most intense.

At the end of its 14-hour session, the Senate passed a bill along party lines prohibiting the use of state Medicaid funds for abortions. The measure, scheduled for a final vote in the House, also declares childbirth as the state's preferred policy over abortion.