COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 30, 2011) After the Ohio House of Representatives today passed legislation that weakens collective bargaining rights for public workers, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Right now, Ohio needs a jobs plan that will put people back to work and revitalize the state’s middle class. But instead of focusing on job creation, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation that will take a wrecking ball to the rights of public workers.

“This legislation won’t create a single job. It won’t solve the state’s budget woes. Its only purpose is to distract from the real problem in Columbus: there is no plan to create good jobs for Ohioans.

“Last month, the BlueGreen Alliance launched Jobs21! — a campaign for creating good jobs to lead the 21st century economy. This grassroots campaign in nine states, including Ohio, is calling for a jobs plan that revitalizes the American economy, puts people back to work, ensures the health and safety of workers and communities, secures our nation’s energy future, and makes America competitive in the global 21st century economy.

“This is the kind of action we need in Ohio and around the country. We need business incentives and public-private partnerships that create good jobs and make America and Ohio innovative leaders in the 21st century clean energy economy.”