Shaming Works
A new study showed that when OSHA provided press releases naming violators it deterred misbehavior and saved lives.

In 2009, OSHA initiated a new policy: If an inspection found serious workplace safety violations (fine of at least $40,000), it would issue a press release, identifying the violator. According to David Michaels, the OSHA administrator at the time, press releases would be a form of “regulation of shaming.” Michaels’s hope was that the releases would have “educational and deterrent purposes for other companies in the same industry and geographic area.”

Duke University economist Matthew Johnson completed a study to determine if the “shaming press release” policy had an impact. Studies show a press release produced a 73 percent reduction in violations at similar workplaces within a three-mile radius. For workplaces within a six mile radius, the reduction was roughly 36 percent and remained around 30 percent for workplaces within a radius of 30 miles.

The study also found that to produce a similar result, OSHA would have had to conduct 210 inspections. The press release accomplishes as much as increased inspections.

Johnson also found labor unions play an important role. The major deterrent effect of press releases can be found in facilities having unions where they respond by making safety-related demands on the employers.

The deterrent effect of a press releases is boosted when there is significant local news coverage. Businesses receive a loud warning that if they violate the law, they will find themselves on the receiving end of bad publicity which forces them to take strong steps to comply.

Unfortunately, the administration of President Donald Trump discontinued OSHA’s press-release policy in 2017. We wouldn’t want to do anything to impact profits of these bad actors or hold them accountable, right?

Whether the issue involves bad contractors, crime, food safety, air pollution or civil rights, press releases do a great deal of good and are an inexpensive way to increase compliance with the law and potentially save lives. It is too bad Trump has shut them down.

MAYOR LUCAS TURNED AWAY AT VOTING BOOTH
So you think there is no suppression in voters rights? Check this out, last week after filming a message urging citizens to go out and vote in the March 10th primary, Mayor Quinton Lucas was denied an opportunity to vote at his traditional polling place, despite having voted at that exact location for the past 11 years. Hell he has voted for himself their eight times!

Not sure what happened, but they literally told him that he was not on the rolls to vote there. I’m sorry but if it can happen to the Mayor it can happen to anyone. We are guaranteed the right to vote and anyone who attempts to deny that right should be dealt with appropriately. I will let you decide what appropriately is.

NEW MINORITY LEADER IN SENATE
Senator Gina Walsh of Bellefontaine Neighbors, a union member and a great friend to labor, stepped down from her role of Senate Majority leader on March 3rd. Walsh, who had served in that role since June of 2016, will serve the remainder of her Senate term which runs out at the end of this year.

Senator John Rizzo who served 4-years in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2016 will take Walshs place as Senate Minority leader. Rizzo, who is up for reelection in 2020 has been a good friend to labor as well. He comes from a political family as his father, Henry Rizzo was a state representative as well before serving on the Jackson County legislature.

J.J. as he is known to his friends, represents much of northern Jackson County. Walsh can not run again due to term limits will leave the Legislature after 16 years equally split between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

As a note of fact, Gina Walsh’s maiden name is O’Neill. How can you not like this woman?