Ohio Ballot Board approves Public Works Amendment as Issue 2

Hannah News Service contributed to this report 

Members of the Ohio Ballot Board on Feb. 11 unanimously approved the public works constitutional amendment language that will be considered by voters this spring. 

The amendment, which is being placed on the Tuesday, May 6 ballot following the General Assembly’s adoption of 135-HJR8 (Oelslager-Troy), will appear as “Issue 2” on the ballot. 

The measure is known as Issue 2 because of the enactment of 135-SB98 (Rulli), which requires state issues to be consecutively numbered. The redistricting amendment considered by voters in November 2024 was designated Issue 1. 

The amendment is entitled, “To Fund Public Infrastructure Capital Improvements by Permitting the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds,” and would authorize the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds over a 10-year period. 

Tuesday’s meeting was the first of the 136th General Assembly for the Ohio Ballot Board, which is chaired by Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) are returning members, while new members are Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and Tony Schroeder. House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) appointed Schroeder, who represents Putnam County on the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee. 

In addition to the actual amendment language, the board unanimously approved the official Issue 2 explanation and the argument against Issue 2. The argument against Issue 2 was prepared by the Ballot Board because there was no submission in opposition to the amendment. 

The argument in favor of the amendment was written by Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton), Rep. Dan Troy (D-Willowick), Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus).  

Also on Tuesday, a group called “Strong Ohio Communities” launched its “Yes on 2” campaign. 

Since Ohio voters first approved the program in 1987, it has provided funding for more than 19,000 infrastructure projects and upgrades to local roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems and solid waste disposal facilities across all 88 counties. In the current 10-year cycle, $2.3 billion has been awarded to 1,084 local governments for 4,490 projects, according to the organization.