The group that wants to put the issue on the fall ballot needs more than 231,000 valid petition signatures.  To the sound of applause, "We are Ohio" spokeswoman Melissa Fazekas said this morning that the group already has more than three times that amount.

"We have surpassed our signature goal by collecting a staggering 714,137 total signatures."

The group has more than a week before it must to turn in the petition signatures.  Fazekas says that signature gathering continues.  Organizers of the effort to stop S.B. 5 from taking effect hope to have a million signatures by the deadline.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of the controversial collective bargaining law, Republican Sen. Shannon Jones, says she’s not surprised those who oppose it are doing so well with petition gathering efforts.

"It’s not uncommon that the 350,000 public employees and their family members would be engaged in this issue.  I mean, as a practical matter, if I was in their shoes, I might be exercised about it too."

Jones says she expects the campaign to support S.B. 5 will be launched sometime around Labor Day. Supporters already are collecting money.