At the May 6 primary election, Ohioans will be asked to renew Issue 2, a state bond program which has been in place since the 1980s, and provides funds to local governments to pay for infrastructure improvements including roads and bridges, wastewater and drinking water improvements, solid waste facilities and stormwater drains.
I believe it is a commonsense program.
Known as House Joint Resolution 8, it seeks to extend a program that Ohio voters first approved in 1987 and subsequently renewed in 1995, 2005 and 2014.
If voters approve Issue 2, the amendment adding section 2 to the Ohio Constitution’s existing Article VIII would take effect immediately.
In addition to providing funds to improve the state’s infrastructure, the issue is expected to create 35,000 construction jobs statewide while relying on existing state revenues. It provides needed funding to local governments for fixing and maintaining local infrastructure without raising taxes.
Issue 2 is supported by a broad-based coalition that includes the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio; Associated General Contractors of Ohio; Ohio Construction Association; and statewide associations of Ohio’s county, city, village and township governments, including the County Engineers Association of Ohio.
According to the Ohio Public Works Commission, the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) has supported over its nearly 40year history, more than $7 billion for 19,000 projects across the state, and supported projects in all 88 counties.
Issue 2, like its predecessors, empowers a community’s leaders to make decisions about local needs, as opposed to decisions being made in Columbus.
Communities in Lucas County have benefited from the SCIP, receiving approximately $231.8 million in grant funds and zero-interest loans for projects, which I believe have improved the quality of life for county residents.
This infrastructure investment encourages economic development, creates and maintains business, contributes to public health and safety, creates construction jobs, and keeps Ohio and Lucas County economically competitive.
As it has been for almost 40 years, State Issue 2 serves Ohio communities, their taxpayers, and local officials striving to address needs for facilities that boost communities’ safety, health, trafficflow and sanitation.
Issue 2 also supports infrastructure projects without raising taxes. I plan to support Issue 2.
Mike Pniewski, P.E., P.S.
Lucas County Engineer
