Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Ohio’s special election in August. Burga also talked about the coalition working to educate Ohio citizens on the ballot issue and the updated state budget.
State Issue 1 is on the minds of labor leaders throughout the state, and Tim Burga is no different. Burga gave his opinions on the bill and called it a direct attack on Ohioans’ democratic process. He warned that voters need to be aware that they must provide proper identification when going to the polls. Early voting has started today, July 11, and will continue until August 6. For more information, please visit unionstrongohio.com.
The Ohio AFL-CIO is part of a bi-partisan coalition consisting of 250 labor organizations, businesses and corporate interest groups, along with four former Ohio governors and five former state Attorney Generals that are opposing the bill. The coalition’s focus is to ensure as many citizens as possible are knowledgeable about the election. If the bill passes, Ohio’s political landscape will never be the same, Burga said. He believes that Ohioans will rally around the passion for the democratic process and get out to the polls in force.
After negotiations between the State’s Senate and the House, Ohio has a new state budget. The budget took a lot of work, as both sides wanted different items included. Gov. Mike DeWine had to get involved during the negotiations. With the work of Governor DeWine, there is now a state budget that neither side loves, yet neither side entirely opposes, Burga said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.