Kasich, Redfern speak out on Issue 2 defeat
Lead Summary
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Following Ohio voters' rejection of State Issue 2, Collective Bargaining Reform (formerly known as Senate Bill 5), with 66 percent (2,093,239) voting No and 39 percent (1,321,494) voting Yes, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statements:
Gov. Kasich
Though I would have preferred a different outcome tonight, the people of Ohio have spoken and I respect their decision.
I’m grateful to all the volunteers who helped in this effort. You were essential and your work is appreciated. It was also inspiring to meet so many people who share our vision of recreating the jobs-friendly climate Ohio needs.
In just 10 months, we’ve made significant progress towards getting Ohio back on track. We closed a record $8 billion shortfall while cutting taxes by $300 million, we improved Ohio’s credit outlook, we reformed Medicaid to control costs while improving services to the neediest, and we took job-creation efforts out of the hands of bureaucrats and entrusted them to private-sector experts that are already showing significant results.
In fact, in 2011 alone Ohio has fostered more than 190 economic development projects that helped create or save more than 41,000 jobs and $2.4 billion in payroll, while generating $1.9 billion in new capital investments.
I’m proud of our progress, but more work is needed.
Despite tonight’s outcome, it doesn’t change the fact that Ohio's ability to create a jobs-friendly climate is impacted by local governments' ability to reduce their costs. Just as Ohio had to get its fiscal house in order — and make tough choices to do it — local governments must as well. Ohio must find innovative ways to help local governments provide good services and good value.
According to the U.S. Census, local government taxes increased 42 percent between 1999 and 2009, almost twice the rate of inflation. That’s an astonishing increase when, during the same period, Ohio lost more jobs than any other state except California and Michigan, population growth was flat, school test scores didn’t improve and personal income suffered. We can do better and we will.
Ohio’s problems developed over time because too many people cared more about popularity than about making the tough — and sometimes unpopular — choices Ohio needed. Folks should know by now that that’s not my way. We won’t get Ohio back on track in a day, but our lives and our work aren’t sprints, they’re marathons, and we strive for bigger rewards than the fleeting praise of the here and now.
We’ll keep moving forward, mindful of the lessons we learn, and we’ll restore the greatness of our state. I’m grateful for the chance to work with the people of Ohio on this mission. Together, we can do it.
* * *
Chairman Redfern
You did it!
By an overwhelming margin, the people of Ohio have rejected Issue 2 and repealed Senate Bill 5.
Over the past year, we stood together and fought back against John Kasich's assault on the middle class. Supporters like you rallied at the Statehouse in the bitter cold, collected more than a million signatures and spread the word to friends and neighbors.
And tonight, thanks to your incredible effort, we've truly made history.
Our victory would not have been possible without the energy, dedication and commitment of our volunteers. No amount of corporate, special interest money could possibly have overcome the grassroots organization that you helped build.
This was an amazing night for Democrats – but it was an even bigger victory for families across the state.
While we celebrate tonight, you and I know that our work isn’t over. We need to carry forward the momentum from this campaign to make sure we elect leaders up and down the ticket who will stand up for Ohio’s middle class.
Based on the energy and courage I saw today, I know we can keep winning this fight. Thank you again for your support.
* * *
In Highland County, there were 6,306 No votes and 5,063 Yes votes.
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Gov. Kasich
Though I would have preferred a different outcome tonight, the people of Ohio have spoken and I respect their decision.
I’m grateful to all the volunteers who helped in this effort. You were essential and your work is appreciated. It was also inspiring to meet so many people who share our vision of recreating the jobs-friendly climate Ohio needs.
In just 10 months, we’ve made significant progress towards getting Ohio back on track. We closed a record $8 billion shortfall while cutting taxes by $300 million, we improved Ohio’s credit outlook, we reformed Medicaid to control costs while improving services to the neediest, and we took job-creation efforts out of the hands of bureaucrats and entrusted them to private-sector experts that are already showing significant results.
In fact, in 2011 alone Ohio has fostered more than 190 economic development projects that helped create or save more than 41,000 jobs and $2.4 billion in payroll, while generating $1.9 billion in new capital investments.
I’m proud of our progress, but more work is needed.
Despite tonight’s outcome, it doesn’t change the fact that Ohio's ability to create a jobs-friendly climate is impacted by local governments' ability to reduce their costs. Just as Ohio had to get its fiscal house in order — and make tough choices to do it — local governments must as well. Ohio must find innovative ways to help local governments provide good services and good value.
According to the U.S. Census, local government taxes increased 42 percent between 1999 and 2009, almost twice the rate of inflation. That’s an astonishing increase when, during the same period, Ohio lost more jobs than any other state except California and Michigan, population growth was flat, school test scores didn’t improve and personal income suffered. We can do better and we will.
Ohio’s problems developed over time because too many people cared more about popularity than about making the tough — and sometimes unpopular — choices Ohio needed. Folks should know by now that that’s not my way. We won’t get Ohio back on track in a day, but our lives and our work aren’t sprints, they’re marathons, and we strive for bigger rewards than the fleeting praise of the here and now.
We’ll keep moving forward, mindful of the lessons we learn, and we’ll restore the greatness of our state. I’m grateful for the chance to work with the people of Ohio on this mission. Together, we can do it.
* * *
Chairman Redfern
You did it!
By an overwhelming margin, the people of Ohio have rejected Issue 2 and repealed Senate Bill 5.
Over the past year, we stood together and fought back against John Kasich's assault on the middle class. Supporters like you rallied at the Statehouse in the bitter cold, collected more than a million signatures and spread the word to friends and neighbors.
And tonight, thanks to your incredible effort, we've truly made history.
Our victory would not have been possible without the energy, dedication and commitment of our volunteers. No amount of corporate, special interest money could possibly have overcome the grassroots organization that you helped build.
This was an amazing night for Democrats – but it was an even bigger victory for families across the state.
While we celebrate tonight, you and I know that our work isn’t over. We need to carry forward the momentum from this campaign to make sure we elect leaders up and down the ticket who will stand up for Ohio’s middle class.
Based on the energy and courage I saw today, I know we can keep winning this fight. Thank you again for your support.
* * *
In Highland County, there were 6,306 No votes and 5,063 Yes votes.
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