* Ohio Gov. John Kasich had a "welcoming committee" when he arrived in Youngstown today.
WKBN:
Upward of 750 ralliers from both sides of the Senate Bill 5 debate steadily flowed to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport Thursday morning to rally before an appearance by Gov. John Kasich.
Protesters lined both sides of state Route 193 in front of the hangar where a Youngstown-Warren Chamber of Commerce luncheon was taking place. Local steel workers, electricians, sheet metal workers and firefighters waved signs and chanted to "kill the bill."
Several local officials like state representatives Bob Hagan and Joe Schiavoni along with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and Mahoning County Democratic Chairman Dave Betras were also among the crowds....
Then Kasich had to go to an airport hangar for a private gathering of his supporters.
* How many times has Kasich talked to Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker today? What other devious plans do they have in store next in their assaults on their citizens?
* Republicans in the Ohio House have come up with another way to mess with working people ---- an anti-overtime bill.
ProgressOhio:
State Representative Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and other House Democratic members were joined at the Statehouse today by opponents of House Bill 61 (HB 61), legislation which will significantly impact workers' rights to receive overtime compensation....
....The bill permits private employers to give their employees compensatory time off rather than monetary overtime compensation. It also requires that compensatory time be accrued at a one hour to one hour ratio, unlike overtime which allows employees to receive one hour to 1.5 hours of pay. The bill also limits the total number of compensatory hours which can be accrued during a one year time period and can only be used at the discretion of the employer. Also, under the bill as written, employers would be required to let employees use compensatory time within a "reasonable" period from when it was earned unless it "disrupt[s] the operations of the employers."
....Overtime is the most widely accepted method of compensating workers for extra time on the job. Changing the current system, without adequate safeguards for workers, could result in unfair practices and unjust treatment of workers. Benefits such as workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, Social Security and pensions are all based on weekly or yearly earnings, not compensatory time....
Why do Republicans hate middle class working people?
* The dcstreetsblog reported that Republicans in charge in the House brought the Congressional Field Hearing on Transportation to Columbus. The Republicans, who continue to be backward thinking, are still promoting road construction. Republican Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15), a former bank lobbyist, attended the hearings. With gas prices predicted to exceed $4/gallon because of unrest in Egypt and Libya, it is important to know that Republicans continue to support gas powered auto transportation instead of high speed rail.
* Republicans are targeting Planned Parenthood funding. Planned Parenthood provides gynecological services, including pap smears, exams, family planning counseling, mammograms, and help for women. The GOP and their far right supporters are involved in attempting to prevent all funding to Planned Parenthood, and thereby eliminate gynecological services for poor women. Can you provide a contribution to show your support for Planned Parenthood?