Explaining Ohio Issue 2, a $2.5B infrastructure program
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Local voters will consider several issues and candidates in the May 6 primary, but there's also one item that will be put before every Ohio voter: State Issue 2.
Why it matters: If approved, it will authorize the state to allocate $2.5 billion over 10 years to fund public infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, sewers and water lines.
- The State Capital Improvement Program first started in 1987 and voters have renewed it about every decade since then, most recently in 2014.
How it works: The program is funded with bonds, meaning your property tax bill won't change regardless of the result.
- Local governments request grants and a committee of local officials reviews them. Approved projects are then sent to the Ohio Public Works Commission, which administers the program.
- Grants can fund a portion of a local project or nearly the entire thing, and the commission also offers zero-interest loans.
Follow the money: The program currently disperses up to $200 million annually. A successful Issue 2 would up the yearly amount to $250 million.
- "Even at $250 million, there will still be projects left on the table" due to the demand, commission director Linda Bailiff tells Axios.
Zoom in: The State Capital Improvement Program has supported nearly 4,500 projects over the past 10 years in all 88 counties.
- Some examples in Franklin County: Widening Hamilton Road (a nearly $4 million grant), adding curb ramps to Columbus intersections (over $1.1 million) and repairing the Hayden Run Road bridge over the Scioto River (over $400,000).
- In Cuyahoga County, top projects have included replacing Pleasant Valley Road bridges in Independence ($6.2 million) and working on a new Lakewood treatment plant ($3 million).
Between the lines: After authorizing the ballot item, lawmakers also allocated $15 million to reimburse county boards of elections for the costs of hosting the special election.
- After approving the State Capital Improvement Program in 1987 with a 71% vote, voters have renewed it with 62%, 54% and 65% support.
What's next: Monday is the last day to register to vote. Early voting begins Tuesday.
- View the schedule and your sample ballot.
Go deeper: View the local issues on the May primary ballot.
🤔 Where's Issue 1?
You might be wondering what Issue 1 is after learning about Issue 2.
Yes, but: There isn't one this year, and there won't be one again for a long time.
Catch up quick: Last year, the state legislature changed the statewide ballot numbering system.
- The numbers previously reset every year.
- Issues will now be numbered sequentially until we reach Issue 500. Then they'll reset back to Issue 1.
Between the lines: This should relieve campaign confusion and make it easier for voters to research the issues.
Case in point: We've recently covered particularly contentious proposals all dubbed Issue 1, concerning reproductive health care rights, gerrymandering and requirements to pass a constitutional amendment.
The bottom line: It'll be quite a while before the counter resets. Ohioans have voted on just 41 statewide issues since 2000, per the Secretary of State's Office.