Dear Governor Strickland,

On behalf of Ohio families, workers and businesses we are writing to urge you to end your attempts to place mandatory sick leave into Ohio law. Any such attempt is not a compromise. It is capitulation to the divisive agenda of the SEIU and their Washington DC based allies.

We respectfully remind you Governor, that this debate has unprecedented constitutional ramifications for every Ohioan. Never before has the state assumed the authority to strip workers and businesses of their basic right of negotiating the best sick leave and paid leave benefits in the workplace. Ohio would be the only state in the Union to seize control over these basic rights and thus would be the focus of substantive litigation for years to come.

Leadership in the critical situation our state faces does not consist of an ambivalent call for "compromise." It consists instead of using the power of your office to protect the people of Ohio from a bad idea that will cause our state to lead the nation—not in job creation, but in the perception that Ohio is anti-business at exactly the time we need more jobs.

The process suggested in your letter mailed to 500 Ohio business leaders is unfortunately flawed. There are far more than 500 "shareholders" in this debate. The negative ramifications of the state taking over all sick leave negotiations will impact every Ohioan. Therefore every Ohioan has the right to full representation and debate on this issue. Furthermore, suggesting this measure can be rammed through the legislative process by September 6th is not fair to the millions of people whose lives will be changed by this major shift in law.

Governor, the state awaits your leadership. Families, companies, labor and management all oppose this mandatory sick leave proposal. Your administration clearly has problems with the proposed initiative as well. There is a tidal wave of support to defeat this measure that will rally to your side. The people of Ohio can solve the need for sick leave in the workplace without the heavy-hand of state dictates.

This is the time that all public officials face when they are tested by political allies making extreme demands. For the sake of all Ohioans, please lead. Step forward and speak the truth you have repeatedly hinted at. Label the SEIU's proposal for what it is: an extreme and ill-advised idea that will seriously harm the job climate of our state.

Sincerely,
David Zanotti
President/CEO
The American Policy Roundtable
The Ohio Roundtable

ACTION NEEDED:
Have you called Governor Strickland?
614-466-3555
Tell the Governor no deal on mandatory paid sick leave.