Several central Ohio labor groups joined together Thursday to criticize U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, of Columbus, for his vote in favor of the massive tax cut and spending law signed by President Donald Trump last week.
Carey was one of the 218 Republicans in the House and 50 in the U.S. Senate to vote in favor of Trump's bill, while all Democrats and very few Republicans opposed it. The bill will maintain Trump's 2017 tax cuts while cutting Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The labor groups for construction workers, nurses, and public school and local government employees say the budget law will only benefit the rich while hurting working families and potentially closing rural hospitals. Labor group members held a press conference on the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus near the Labor and Workers Memorial.
Dorsey Hager, executive secretary/treasurer of the Columbus and Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, said Carey voted to kill 1.75 million construction jobs across the country, including positions in central Ohio.
"This is the largest redistribution of wealth in the history of our country. That's the real story behind this vote. Working people are being asked to pay the price again, while the wealthiest get more," Hager said.
The group held up a fake large check for $4.5 trillion to be paid to the order of "billionaires" to be used for yachts, jets and vacation homes. The check said it was from working families, children, veterans and retirees.
Lois Carson, president of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, said the unions will start educating people on how Carey's vote will impact them.
"We plan to bug the heck out of the little people, the everyday working Americans to understand that you think it's not going to impact you? Wait till your school district shuts down because it's small in a rural community. Wait till that hospital shuts down," Carson said.
Carey's office declined to comment. After its passage, Carey praised the bill on social media and in statements for increasing the child tax credit and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
“Our reconciliation package reinvigorates the American Dream by cutting taxes for families, workers, seniors, small businesses, and farmers. It also provides critical funding to ensure continued security at the border, offers resources for affordable housing, and works to unshackle our economy,” Carey said in a statement last week.
Carey appeared on conservative radio station WTVN this week after his office routinely declined interview requests with WOSU for months. The host didn't question Carey on the bill's potential effects, but instead overtly offered his support for the bill.
