For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 16, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Contact: Tom Zawistowski,  TomZ@WethePeopleConvention.org

Akron, OH: Today, Tom Zawistowski, President of the TEA Party affiliated We the People Convention and Executive Director of the Portage County TEA Party, called on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted and ALL members of the Ohio House and Senate to immediately have their pay stopped until Ohio workers are back to work. Zawistowski made his demands based on the fact that the actions, and inactions, of the Ohio state government have taken the paychecks away from millions of Ohio workers and hundreds of thousands of Ohio business owners. Those in government responsible have not had to pay their fair share of the costs they say are “required” in order to “save lives” from the coronavirus threat.

Zawistowski said, “It is hard for me to believe that Governor DeWine, Dr. Acton and Lt. Governor Husted would be so callous as to continue to take their paychecks when it is they who have taken the paychecks away from millions of Ohioans. They say in every press briefing that they “know how hard it is for many Ohioans” to do what is being asked of them, but clearly they have no idea whatsoever how hard it is – it’s about time they find out. The Ohio Legislature has been totally AWOL for this entire meltdown and has done nothing to represent the interests of the workers and business owners in their Districts. They should also stop getting a paycheck until those businesses are open and their employees are getting paid once again – and not a day sooner.”

Zawistowski continued by saying, “Our state government gave Ohio restaurant/bar owners and employees six hours notice that they would be out of a paycheck. We the People are giving you the same notice. Stop taking your pay effective tomorrow and do not take a paycheck until the number of Ohioans employed are back to the number employed on March 1, 2020. Perhaps then, instead of doing everything you can to handicap business in Ohio, you will have an incentive to do everything you can to help every business survive this government-made catastrophe and reopen. As the protestors at the state capital chant everyday “No paycheck for us, no paycheck for you!” We call upon all Ohioans to contact the Governor and their Legislators and demand that they show solidarity with Ohio workers and business owners by not taking a paycheck until this mess they created is fixed.”