Thomas Niehaus Iohn Kasich William Batchelder President of the Senate Governor of Ohio Speaker ofthe House Wednesday, August 17, 2010 TO THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE UNION LEADERS OF WE ARE OHIO: Without a doubt, Ohioans have made it clear they believe our state is headed in the wrong direction. The status quo has failed us, and certain policies of the past have led only to unprecedented fiscal shortfalls, historic double-digit unemployment rates and economic recession. Making the challenge greater, the demand for government services in the face of a very difficult economy continues to grow. Our communities, like too many families across Ohio, are struggling to pay the bills. They need reform and relief. Two years ago, Governor Ted Strickland asked a bipartisan commission to study this emerging fiscal crisis and make key policy recommendations to address the fundamental problems that got us to this point. Among other proposals, the report reflected a growing consensus that reform of Ohio's 1983 law regulating government employment policies was "long overdue," and so began the process of drafting what would become Senate Bill 5. The need for reasonable reform is clear and well documented. While much has been debated about the legislative process that led to the bill's passage, the intent of this letter is not to rehash the past, or to affix blame, but to refocus on Ohio's future. ln a matter of days Ohioans will be thrust into a costly political battle that will likely result in lasting scars and bitter divisions at one of the most fragile moments in our state's history. Outside observers, including Ohio's two largest newspapers, have asked whether that recourse is our only option. lt is not. They have called on us to "look for common ground, not battlegrounds" and to make a "serious effort to determine if compromise is possible." While we passionately believe in the reforms of Senate Bill 5 and stand ready to vigorously - and successfully - defend them, we ask you to consider this option and join us in working with determination toward a compromise for the benefit of the taxpayers we all serve. We believe Ohioans are willing to support the reasonable reforms of Issue 2, and we are committed to providing these critical, cost-saving alternatives to our communities. They will SAVE the jobs of many teachers, firefighters, police officers and other essential government workers. We've already seen that in collective bargaining agreements signed in the last three months that have incorporated some of these reforms. Independent polling shows Ohioans overwhelmingly support key provisions in the bill, providing a framework for a potential agreement to "meet in the middle" and avoid the bitter political warfare that so many have come to detest. The eyes of the nation have been fixated on Washington in recent weeks, watching with frustration and sometimes fear as a downgrade of the federal government's credit rating sent our economy into turmoil. The ratings agency issuing the downgrade cited, in part, a growing concern about the "political brinksmanship" that has consumed our national political debate. We have a fleeting opportunity in Ohio to take the higher road. We are prepared to move forward immediately with legislative action to implement any agreement on changes we are able to reach together. Toward that end, we invite a delegation of ten leaders of your public employee union members, empowered by We Are Ohio with decision making authority, to meet with us at 10 a.m. Friday, August 19, in Room South A on the 315? floor of the Riffe Center. Let us set aside political agendas, past offenses and personal differences, and come together for the good of Ohio to talk about our shared interest in making our state a better place to live, work and raise a family. We look forward to this opportunity to talk with you. Please have a delegation representative confirm your participation and attendance by contacting Mindy McLaughlin in the Office of the Governor at (614) 644-0795 by close of business on Thursday. Sincerely, Thomas Niehaus asich William Ba?gge President ofthe Senate rnor of Ohio Speaker of the House