The Mahoning County Republican Party is encouraging support from its members during a rally before a chamber event featuring Gov. John Kasich Thursday.
The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber luncheon, originally set for Leo's in Howland, was moved to a hangar in the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport due to security and traffic issues this week.
A notification from the Mahoning County GOP Wednesday encourages its members to attend a rally beforehand and "dress warmly and bring your homemade signs of support."
The state is in the midst of a battle between union workers and supporters of Senate Bill 5, which would wipe out collective bargaining for many public workers.
Demonstrations on the bill have drawn tens of thousands to the Statehouse over the two weeks.
Kasich has expressed his support for the bill in concept, but he also has signaled he might offer his own plan that could go even further, including banning public employee strikes.
The notice Wednesday said the new rules are being proposed to "help reign in the growth of government and deal with deficits facing our state and local officials. The new rules included in Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), are designed to give our elected officials who represent you, the taxpayer, more latitude in dealing with public employee unions."
The notice said local Democrats are planning to turn out anti-Kasich protesters at the event.
To prepare, the notice said there will be a sign-making party at the Mahoning County Republican Headquarters in Boardman 7 p.m. Wednesday. It's encouraging attendees to bring their signs Thursday.
There were originally 400 tickets sold for the actual chamber event. It's not clear if more are available due to the venue change.
"Remember, this is not about the good work done by public employees," the notice states. "It is about giving our local and state officials the tools they need to manage budgets and control government spending."
