Ohioans to vote in May on $2.5B infrastructure bond issue

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Ballot Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve ballot language for state Issue 2, which would provide billions of dollars for local government projects.

The bipartisan board led by Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose signed off on the language describing the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to issue $2.5 billion in state bonds over the next 10 years.

The language will appear on the May 6 primary election ballots.

The money would help local governments repair and build roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Tax revenues would be used to repay the bonds for the building effort, called the State Capital Improvement Program.

During Tuesday’s brief meeting, which featured no debate, Ballot Board members also unanimously approved an explanation of the borrowing and arguments in opposition to it.

The explanation was written by a committee of state lawmakers, LaRose said. The opposition argument was written by the Ballot Board, which is required under state law to provide an opposing argument when no formal opposition exists.

The last time the state asked voters to sell bonds for the Capital Improvement Program was in 2014, when voters approved $1.85 billion.

A coalition of stakeholders known as Strong Ohio Communities is supporting Issue 2. The group includes construction companies, engineering professional organizations, trade unions, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, the Ohio Mayors Alliance and the Ohio Municipal League.

“A ‘Yes’ vote on Issue 2 is a vote to strengthen the future of our state and its communities,” said Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman, on behalf of Strong Ohio Communities, in a statement. “The State Capital Improvement Program has a long and proven track record of success — funding vital roadway improvements and critical water safety projects across all 88 counties.”

Ohioans first approved the State Capital Improvement Program in 1987. Since then, it has paid for over 19,000 infrastructure projects and upgrades to local roads, bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, and other projects.