Site of Kasich, Issue 2 supporters meeting moved again

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's meeting with Issue 2 supporters has moved to accommodate a bigger crowd. The governor is expected to be joined at the pro-Issue 2 rally by Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Republican state Senator Mark Wagoner of Ottawa Hills.

The location of Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s meeting Thursday night in Toledo with Issue 2 supporters has moved again, to handle a bigger crowd.

A spokesman for the governor said the tickets-only event will be at the Omni Midwest banquet hall at 2567 Bancroft St. rather than either of the two near-downtown Tony Packo’s restaurants, as previously announced.

The governor is expected to be joined at the pro-Issue 2 rally by Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Republican state Senator Mark Wagoner of Ottawa Hills.

Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party, said at least 150 tickets have been distributed for the event, now set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Issue 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot will decide whether the new Ohio collective bargaining law takes effect. Opponents raised enough signatures to have the GOP-backed legislation put on the ballot.

The governor is waging an uphill battle to maintain Senate Bill 5 as state law, judging from a recent opinion poll. The Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said that 38 percent of likely voters support the law, while 51 percent said they would vote for repeal, although the gap has narrowed since July.

The measure bans strikes and restricts the issues that public employees can bargain over. It would require public employees to pay at least 15 percent of their health care premiums and 10 percent toward their pensions, substitute a performance-pay system for automatic salary increases based on longevity, and eliminate seniority as the sole factor in determining the order of layoffs.

A group called We Are Ohio, led largely by organized labor and Democrats, is urging a no vote, saying the law is an attack on middle class families and organized labor. Issue 2 opponents have vowed to picket the governor’s appearance. Supporters say the changes are needed to give local governments flexibility to lower operating costs and to bring public employee benefits in line with those of private-sector workers.