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Union tips hat to Ohio House, Senate for passage of S.B. 4; Tell Gov. Taft NOT to veto critical MR/DD legislation

Dec. 4, 2003 - The union that represents the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) employees said today that a bill (Senate Bill 4) passed Tuesday by the Ohio House and Senate will improve protections for clients and provide (by way of a closure commission) a better approach to the process of closing state-run MR/DD facilities.

However, OCSEA is concerned with threats by the governor to veto this bill.

"It would be irresponsible of the governor to veto this legislation that would protect Ohio's most vulnerable citizens," said Blanton.

>> TAKE ACTION NOW - Tell Gov. Taft not to veto SB 4.

The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association has been a long-standing supporter of legislation, long before the creation of S.B. 4, to protect the rights of individuals with MR/DD. Since Gov. Taft announced last year that two Developmental Centers would close, OCSEA also has actively been supporting efforts to create a commission that would look at all the facts before closing any MR/DD facility.

"The Taft Administration continues to say that the current proposed closures of Apple Creek and Springview DCs are the result of budgetary shortfalls, but this can't be the case as the two are not even slated to close until after 2005, the next fiscal year," said OCSEA MH/MR/OVH Assembly President Monty Blanton.

"Only a closure commission could put all the cards on the table to look at the finances of it all and to determine how or if a closure would affect the safety, health, well being and lifestyle of the center's residents and their families, among other issues," said Blanton.

"It is clear that the legislature, as the creating authority, has the power to determine what, if any, institutions should be closed," said Ohio Civil Service Employees Association President Ron Alexander. "It is our interpretation that the passage of Senate Bill 4 represents an effort by the legislature to offer an olive branch to the governor and provide a final opportunity to work together on institutional closings."

OCSEA represents over 37,000 Ohio state employees, including 3,000 in MR/DD.

>> TAKE ACTION NOW - Tell Gov. Taft not to veto SB 4.

>> TELL-A-FRIEND - Spread the Word. Time is short. Tell your friends to contact Taft now.

>> S.B. 4 - Read full text of the bill

>> NEED MORE INFO? Contact Deirdre O'Neill-Wedig, 614-865-2604, or email doneill@ocsea.org