‘Yes’ on State Issue 2

By Bruce Yarnall, Barnesville Area News Company  

One statewide issue is going before Ohio voters on May 6 asking for approval of a multi-billion dollar infrastructure bond program.

Known as State Issue Two, the $2.5 billion bond would be for the next ten years as part of Ohio’s local infrastructure upkeep that has been around since 1987.

If approved, Issue 2 would allow the state to give out up to $250 million in bonds annually, or $2.5 billion over the next decade, to fund local infrastructure projects, such as building roads, bridges, landfills, water supply systems and more.

The amendment’s passage would mark an increase in the program’s spending, as the current cycle is capped at $200 million annually. However, because the amendment is a bond program, it’s repaid using existing revenue and will not raise taxes.

State Issue 2 has received bipartisan support from most statehouse lawmakers and groups such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Contractors Association, who point out that the program has funded more than 19,000 projects since 1987 and renewal would create an estimated 35,000 construction jobs.

Barnesville Village Administrator Roger Deal recently spoke out in favor of the issue as well. It has funded more than 18 paving projects over the years in the village. It is also the source of the $75,000 grant Senator Brian Chavez secured for the roof project at the historic Barnesville Depot.    

A “yes” vote in support of the program will extend it for another 10 years continuing to pay for worthwhile local projects that would otherwise likely not take place.