Thursday, We Are Ohio followed up with a letter to Kasich (PDF) outlining their position more fully. The core of that:
We are asking you for a fresh start, and that fresh start must begin with a full repeal of Senate Bill 5.A complete repeal of Senate Bill 5 would go a long way toward creating an environment for compromise, restoring trust in government by the electorate and setting the table for meaningful negotiations about creating jobs, rebuilding Ohio’s economy and moving the state forward.
Under your authority, we ask that you call the Ohio General Assembly into session and repeal Senate Bill 5 in its entirety. With this fresh start, we can begin to build a good faith agreement based on shared values, principles and known facts:
- First, we must recognize the 1.3 million Ohioans who signed the Citizens' Veto because they believe Senate Bill 5 is a flawed law. We will not thwart the will of the people.
- Second, we will not allow Senate Bill 5 to jeopardize the safety of our communities and its citizens.
- Third, we must recognize the shared sacrifices that our public employees have made in service to our state and local communities. In just the last few years, state employees have given back $350 million in the form of wage freezes, furlough days without pay and cuts to healthcare benefits.
So, basically, thank you. We appreciate the gesture of asking for compromise. Make it more than a gesture and we'll be more than happy to talk.
Kasich has an added platform for response this week, as he's giving the weekly Republican address—apparently he'll even be talking about "working together."