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Politics K-12 kept watch on education policy and politics in the nation’s capital and in the states. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: Federal, States.

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Unions Win Big in Ohio, but Democrats Should Still Be Worried

By Michele McNeil — November 09, 2011 1 min read
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Voters in Ohio gave Senate Bill 5, which stripped teachers and other public workers of many collective bargaining rights, a “smashing rebuke” in the words of one local newspaper reporter.

This resounding defeat, even in Republican counties in Ohio, is detailed over at State EdWatch.

This morning, a post-game analysis is being conducted in Ohio with AEI and EdWeek blogger Rick Hess, NEA vice president Lily Eskelsen, and Columbus Distpach reporter Joe Hallet (who gave us the “smashing rebuke” line).

Hess’ take? This issue is not dead. The elements of Senate Bill 5 will be back in states across the country, but repackaged and re-envisioned.

Eskelsen’s take? This was a historic vote, with the public telling policymakers to leave public employees alone—that there are other ways to raise revenue than making them pay more towards their pensions.

Hallet’s take? Ohio voters also overwhelmingly voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that would require Ohio to opt-out of the individual health care mandate that is part of President Obama’s health care package. This was a smackdown of President Obama—and in fact, more people voted to opt out of the health care plan than voted to repeal Senate Bill 5. So this election was by no means a win for Democrats, or for the president as he faces re-election.

Interesting results, wouldn’t you say?

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