Repeal, then deal: How labor broke Kasich’s back, pt. 2

Here’s some reaction from today’s press conference in which Governor Kasich offered to meet with labor leaders to discuss a compromise on SB 5.

First, the Governor:

"Just because we talk doesn’t mean we work it all out.” (talk about lowering expectations for a compromise out the gate.)

Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard):

“Governor Kasich and Republicans in the General Assembly have finally admitted that Senate Bill 5 went too far.   If they thought they could destroy collective bargaining in Ohio and get away with it, they have been proven wrong.  More than one million Ohioans have already sent a strong message that Senate Bill 5 should be repealed.

“The time to negotiate was during the legislative process, not 197 days after Senate Bill 5 was first introduced in the Ohio Senate.  Unfortunately, it has taken too long for the Governor and GOP leaders to acknowledge they overreached.”

State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland):

“I am utterly perplexed as to why the Republicans have waited this long to come to the table.  After months of playing politics with peoples’ paychecks, their new-found spirit of compromise seems a bit late. The time for negotiation was in the spring but they refused to take part.  Instead, they jammed Senate Bill 5 through the legislature.  They even ignored the advice of their own Republican members in refusing to compromise as they steamrolled the hard working people of Ohio.  Now, 4 months and 1.3 million signatures later, they see the writing on the wall.” 

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine:

“While the Ohio Republican Party stands solidly behind the reasonable reforms of Senate Bill 5, we urge Ohio labor leaders to join Governor John Kasich and our legislative leadership in heeding the public’s calls for setting aside political differences in our shared desire to guide our state toward prosperity.”  (We stand behind Issue 2…. way behind… like pushing it in front of the bus behind.)

We Are Ohio campaign statement:

“We’re glad that Governor Kasich and the other politicians who passed SB 5 are finally admitting this is a flawed bill,” said Melissa Fazekas, spokeswoman for We Are Ohio. “Just like the bill was flawed this approach to a compromise is flawed as well. Our message is clear. These same politicians who passed this law could repeal it and not thwart the will of the people. They should either repeal the entire bill or support our efforts and encourage a no vote on Issue 2.”

And here’s the response from the Building Better Ohio campaign and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce (which just endorsed Issue 2) and Shannon Jones:

Silence can be deafening.