Voting is a right and the ultimate expression of our freedom. As the voice of the business community, the Greater Akron Chamber encourages our members to promote the importance of voting to their employees and to educate them on the ballot issues. Please click here for more educational information on issues and candidates on the ballot this November 4.

STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES

Issue 1 – To Provide for Earlier Filing Deadlines for Statewide Ballot Issues is an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to require all proposed ballot initiatives to be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State 125 days prior to Election Day. Proposed by the Ohio General Assembly, Amended House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR3).

☑ Issue 2 – Clean Ohio is a proposed constitutional amendment that would continue and expand a successful program that preserves green space and farmland, improves outdoor recreation, revitalizes blighted neighborhoods and promotes job growth in Ohio without raising taxes. The reauthorization would provide $400 million to be equally divided between conservation and preservation and environmental revitalization/ brownfield clean up projects as proposed by local communities. Supported by Citizens for a Clean Ohio, www.cleanohio.org; no known opposition. GREATER AKRON CHAMBER ENDORSED.

Issue 3 – Protect Private Property Rights in Ground Water, Lakes and Other Watercourses is a proposed constitutional amendment that makes explicit certain property rights of landowners with respect to ground water, watercourses and lakes connecting to their land. Proposed by the Ohio General Assembly, Amended Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8 (SJR 8).

Issue 4 – Ohio Healthy Families Act proposed a mandate requiring employers to provide paid sick leave with numerous administrative requirements. This issue was withdrawn from the ballot on September 4, 2008, due to strong opposition from the business community and elected officials including the Governor and Lt. Governor.

Issue 5 – Changes Check Cashing Lending, Sometimes Known as “Payday Lending,” Fees, Interest Rates, and Practices is a proposed referendum on an existing law (H.B. 545) which limits the activities of payday lending business by capping annual interest rates for short-term loans to 28 percent and imposing other restrictions. A “yes” vote will keep the restrictions of the new law, and a “no” vote will repeal Section 3 of the new law and allow check cashers to offer short-term loans as permitted before the new law. Supported by Is 391% Too High? Vote Yes on 5 Committee, www.yesonissue5.com; Opposed by Ohioans for Financial Freedom, http://ohioans4financialfreedom.com.

Issue 6 – Permitting a Casino Near Wilmington in Southwest Ohio and Distribute to All Ohio Counties a Tax on the Casino is a proposed constitutional amendment that would permit one privately owned and operated casino in Clinton County, Ohio. The project must include a resort hotel, a minimum $600 million investment and numerous other stipulations. Supported by My Ohio Now PAC, www.yesonissue6.com; Opposed by Vote No Casino Committee, www.votenocasinos.com, UNITE Here, www.unitehere.org and No on 6 Committee, www.noissue6.com.

CITY OF AKRON BALLOT ISSUE

☑ Issue 8 – Akron Scholarship Plan is a proposed charter amendment to establish a scholarship fund for resident students to pursue post-secondary education. The scholarship plan would be funded by an endowment created by the leasing of the city’s sanitary sewer system. Supported by Citizens to Keep Akron Strong, www.akronscholarshipplan.com; Opposed by Save Our Sewers, http://akronohio.net. GREATER AKRON CHAMBER ENDORSED.

This information is compiled as an education service by the Greater Akron Chamber. It should not be construed as legal or political advice and an endorsement unless otherwise stated. It is not meant to be inclusive of all issues and relating information on the November 2008 general election ballot.