Ohio Voters Greenlight $2.5B Bond Plan for Local Road & Bridge Upgrades

COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Tuesday, voters in Ohio ratified a constitutional amendment that permits $2.5 billion in state-issued bonds aimed at assisting local administrations with repairing and constructing roads, bridges, and additional infrastructural elements, according to preliminary voting counts.

The approval of Issue 2 represents the fifth occasion within the last 38 years that the state's electorate has allocated public funds to the State Capital Improvement Program. This program disseminates the resources through grants and interest-free loans to various local entities such as villages, townships, cities, counties, and water and sewer districts across Ohio.

Bonds will be distributed over a decade, and the liability will be settled using funds from state taxpayers.

As of 11:45 p.m., 587,201 voters (67.75%) had cast ballots in favor of Issue 2 compared with 279,550 against it (32.25%).

"We want to express our gratitude to the voters of Ohio for endorsing the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) with their 'yes' vote today," stated Sam Rossi, a spokesperson for the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition. He also acknowledged the role of the Ohio General Assembly in putting Issue 2 up for voting on the May ballot. " Ohio residents recognize that our community roads and bridges along with other essential infrastructures require continuous enhancement. Our campaign gained momentum through robust support from both sides of the political aisle provided by Ohio’s elected officials and a wide-ranging alliance devoid of party bias. This coalition encompassed representatives from various sectors including commerce, trade unions, farming communities, transport networks, public protection agencies, and municipal administrations.

The bond initiative garnered extensive backing, with various business associations, municipal leaders, trade unions, and most legislators from both major political parties rallying in favor of it. Advocates for the bond measure argue that it assists local administrations in financing crucial infrastructure developments they would be unable to pay for otherwise, noting that these funds constitute a substantial part of numerous city’s yearly capital expenditures.

The Ohio Chamber is delighted to observe that voters acknowledge the significance of contemporary, dependable infrastructure for enhancing both the standard of living and the economic prospects in Ohio," stated Ohio Chamber President & CEO Steve Stivers. "Through their votes, Ohio residents have chosen to support the future development of our state by endorsing funding aimed at repairing highways, bridges, sewer systems, water pipelines, and other essential public utilities across all distinct counties.

Nevertheless, prior to Tuesday, there were doubts regarding the passage of Issue 2, considering voters' hesitance to endorse a spending proposal amid the prevailing political and economic conditions.

Critics of the measure, which included a loose network of conservative grassroots activists, argued that issuing bonds that have to be repaid with interest is a wasteful way to help local projects. Over the past five years, bond interest payments have averaged about $78.4 million per year, according to statistics provided by the Ohio Public Works Commission.

Some voters mistakenly conflated the state infrastructure bond program with a separate legislative budget plan aimed at issuing $600 million in bonds to fund a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park suburb.

Approximately 10% of Ohio's nearly 8.2 million eligible voters submitted their ballots, which isn't unexpected during an off-year primary election focusing mainly on local contests and tax levy measures, areas where few candidates often run. In Cuyahoga County, merely 6% of registered voters took part in the voting process.

The wording of Issue 2 offered a specific list of the kinds of infrastructure projects the bond money can support, including roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, and storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities.

It’s up to 19 regional Public Works District Integrating Committees, each of which is composed of members appointed by local officials, to decide which projects to fund. The bond money can be used to cover up to 50% of new or expansion projects and up to 90% of repair or replacement work.

Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

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