Ohio voters unofficially approve local infrastructure measure Issue 2
According to unofficial results, Ohio voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday allowing the state to borrow $2.5 billion to support public works projects. The proposal, known as Issue 2, renews the State Capital Improvement Program — an initiative that has helped local governments fix roads, bridges, sewers and more since the late 1980s.
This is the fourth time voters have approved a 10-year renewal of the program. To fund projects, the state will issue $2.5 billion in bonds, which is a notable increase from the $2 billion approved in the last renewal.
Lawmakers sent the question to the ballot in the waning days of the previous legislative session, but the idea has not been controversial. A vast array of interest groups representing business, unions, agriculture and local governments all signed on in support. A conservative lawmaker and far-right organizers spoke out against the idea, but there was no organized opposition to the measure.
In a statement the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition thanked Ohio voters for approving the initiative and lawmakers for putting it on the ballot.
“Ohioans understand that our local roads and bridges and other basic infrastructure need ongoing improvement,” Sam Rossi, the coalition’s spokesman said. “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.”
“Thanks to our coalition’s dedicated work across Ohio for the last few months,” he added, “voters have once again said ‘Yes’ to strengthening our local communities by creating jobs and improving local roads and bridges.”
Perhaps the most significant concern supporters faced was voter confusion in a low turnout election.
As early voting was beginning, Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House were polishing off a plan to issue $600 billion in bonds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium. Lawmakers included that provision in their state budget proposal. In the run up to Election Day, Issue 2 supporters were working hard to differentiate their local infrastructure bonds from those supporting the Browns.
It appears voters had little problem discerning one from the other. As of 8:20 p.m., “Yes” votes were surpassing “No” by a nearly 40-point margin, and in Cuyahoga County where the Browns play, “Yes” was winning by a more than 3-to-1 margin.
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