Latest news with #StrongOhioCommunitiesCoalition
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Ohio voters approve ballot issue authorizing $2.5 billion in bonds over 10 years for infrastructure
Ohio voters voted on Tuesday to reauthorize a program that will provide $2.5 billion for roads, bridges and other needed local infrastructure projects over the next decade. State Issue 2 called for the renewal of the Ohio Capital Improvement Program, which was first authorized in 1987. Administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission, it relies on existing state revenues as opposed to raising taxes. Under the measure, up to $250 million of the total general obligation bonds authorized can be issued each year over 10 years, creating an estimated 35,000 construction jobs. The Strong Ohio Communities Coalition, a gathering of business, labor, agriculture and civic organizations, supported the measure, which attracted no significant opposition. Coalition spokesperson Sam Rossi thanked voters and the Ohio General Assembly, which placed the measure on the ballot. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce said in a statement that it looks forward to witnessing all the improvements roll out and the jobs they create, saying voters recognized "the importance of modern, reliable infrastructure to Ohio's quality of life and its economic outlook." Though it was listed on the ballot as Issue 2, Tuesday's ballot measure was the first and only statewide issue to appear. That's the result of a new numbering system approved by state lawmakers after the elections of 2023 and 2024 featured several ballot issues timed close together and called either Issue 1 or Issue 2. Ohio's next statewide ballot question will be labeled Issue 3.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio voters approve Issue 2, allowing state to borrow $2.5B for infrastructure
May 6—Ohio voters approved a state constitutional amendment Tuesday to allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds for infrastructure improvements. The Associated Press declared Issue 2 victorious before 9 p.m. Tuesday. As of 8:48 p.m. the measure was passing with 67.5% of the vote and over 30% of statewide precincts reporting, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's office. "Ohioans understand that our local roads and bridges and other basic infrastructure need ongoing improvement," said Sam Rossi, spokesman for pro-Issue 2 campaign the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition. "Our campaign was bolstered by strong bipartisan support from Ohio's elected lawmakers and a broad nonpartisan coalition that included leaders on behalf of business, labor, agriculture, transportation, public safety and local governments. There was no formal opposition to Issue 2. Issue 2 is a request from the state in the form of a constitutional amendment to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds to help pay for local infrastructure projects over the next decade. Approval on May 6 would amend the Ohio Constitution, as the state generally needs constitutional approval in order to go into large amounts of debt. The bonds, if approved by a simple majority of voters, would go toward the State Capital Improvement Program and could only be used on roads, bridges, water treatment and supply systems and solid waste disposal facilities, according to the legislature's nonpartisan analysis. The state first issued a lump sum of general obligation bonds to fund SCIP in 1987. The approach has been approved by voters thrice since. The pending approval would be the biggest in state history, which lawmakers said was necessary due to inflation driving up the cost of projects. According to Ohio Public Works Commission Director Linda Bailiff, this bond approach has proven to be a successful, responsive way for local governments to make headway on infrastructure projects. "About 18,860 projects have been funded since the program's inception," Bailiff told lawmakers late last year. "Depending on the year, for every $1 of program funds another $2 to $3 is leveraged in other local, state, and federal sources." The state government has gone back to voters three times for permission to issue more general obligation bonds, most recently in 2014, says information from the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. Supporters say the state capital improvements program does not increase taxes, generally has bipartisan approval and reduces pressure on local jurisdictions to raise taxes for infrastructure improvements. The AP says that under the measure, up to $250 million of the total general obligation bonds authorized can be issued each year over 10 years, creating an estimated 35,000 construction jobs.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What yes or no vote really means for Ohio Issue 2 in May election
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans voting in the May 6 primary and special election will be deciding whether to pass Issue 2, a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing $2.5 billion in infrastructure funding. If passed, Issue 2 would allow the state to give out up to $250 million in bonds annually, or $2.5 billion over the next decade, to fund local infrastructure projects, like building roads, bridges, landfills, water supply systems and more. It's a funding program dating back to 1987, and Ohio voters have renewed it three times since — in 1995 with 62% of the vote, in 2005 with 54%, and in 2014 with 65%. Some Ohioans say proposed ban of phones in schools violates parents' rights The amendment's passage would mark an increase in the program's spending, as the current cycle is capped at issuing $200 million annually. However, because the amendment is a bond program, it's repaid using existing revenue and will not raise taxes. A 'yes' vote would be in support of the program and extending it for another 10 years, while a 'no' vote would be in favor of ending the program after the current cycle's projects wrap up. Issue 2 has bipartisan support from most Statehouse lawmakers and is backed by the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition, a group of stakeholders like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Contractors Association. The coalition noted that the program has funded more than 19,000 projects since 1987, and its renewal would create an estimated 35,000 construction jobs. Annual Buckeye pinwheel planting celebrates, brings awareness to organ donations '[The program] has a long and proven track record of success — funding vital roadway improvements and critical water safety projects across all 88 counties,' said Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman. 'Issue 2's broad support from local elected officials, business leaders, and labor groups mirrors the nearly unanimous bipartisan support the General Assembly gave inagreeing to place the renewal issue before voters on the May 6 ballot.' A few Republican legislators said they are voting against Issue 2, and those opponents are backed by The Grassroots Freedom Initiative. One of those lawmakers is Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), who argues not all Ohio communities are benefiting from the program and that the state needs to find a better way to fund these infrastructure projects. 'I do think it's outdated, and it continues to grow,' Ferguson previously told NBC4. 'We're in this time where we should be making tax dollars stretch as far as possible to provide as many good, solid services for people as possible and I don't think this is the most efficient way to do that.' Those in Ohio wishing to use mail-in voting must first submit a request form for an absentee ballot, available here, and return it by mail or in person to their county board of elections. While Ohio began mailing absentee ballots on April 8 to those who submitted a request, the deadline to request a ballot is seven days before the election on April 29. Sheriff speaks about finding dead dogs at Madison County home After receiving and completing their ballot, Ohioans must ensure their ballot is postmarked by the day before the election, May 5, in order to be counted. Voters can also return their absentee ballot in person to their county board of elections before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on May 6. Early in-person voting started on April 8. Voters can cast ballots at county boards of elections most days leading up to the weekend before special election day, so long as they come with photo identification. Here's when you can vote early: April 14-18: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-25: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 29: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 30 – May 2: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 3: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ohio requires in-person voters to have a form of photo identification in order to vote. That includes an Ohio driver's license, an Ohio ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID, or an Ohio National Guard ID. All identification must have an expiration date that has not passed, a photograph of the voter, and the voter's name, which must substantially conform to the voter's name as it appears in the poll list. There are many resources on the Secretary of State's website, that will make your trip to the polls easier: View your sample ballot here. Find your May 6 polling location here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
