Why the sudden opposition to letting Ohio voters decide?

By Maggie Thurber | for Ohio Watchdog

For decades, Ohio county commissioners have been eager to put property tax levies on the ballot to “let the voters decide.” But why are they suddenly opposed to this concept when it applies to unions?

Lucas County commissioners recently passed a resolution opposing the Workplace Freedom Amendment, also known as a right-to-work amendment. The vote from the three Democrats was unanimous.

But in 2012, they voted to place five property tax levies on the ballot, including a 45 percent increase for the library, a 67 percent increase for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Boardand an 85 percent increase for the Children Services Board.

When challenged about the huge increases, the general comments were that putting the measures on the ballot would allow the voters to decide whether these organizations should get the additional funds.

There is a certain logic in that approach.

But if this is the logic for tax increases, why are the people so trusted with such a decision suddenly bereft of enough judgment to vote on a straight forward right-to-work measure and decide for themselves whether they want to be in a union?

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