ISSUE ONE: Reforming the Ballot Process for Issues This proposed constitutional amendment would reform the statewide ballot issue process. With the increasing number of issues being brought to the ballot in Ohio a number of ambiguities in the law have been uncovered. This amendment would require petitions be filed with the Secretary of State at least 125 days before Election Day, extending the time the Secretary of State has to review the signatures that have been gathered. It also clarifies how challenges to signatures by opposition groups will be handled and lays out specific deadlines for challenges to be resolved. SEIU is neutral on Issue One. ISSUE TWO: Clean Ohio Program Bonding Authority This proposed constitutional amendment gives the state authority to issue bonds (up to $400 million) to continue to the Clean Ohio program. This is part of Governor Strickland’s $1.57 billion job stimulus package to help jump start the Ohio economy. The Clean Ohio program focuses on conservation and preservation of natural areas for parks and other related projects. It also helps revitalize and redevelop contaminated and polluted lands. SEIU urges a YES vote on Issue Two. ISSUE THREE: Protect Private Property Rights for Owners near Water This proposed constitutional amendment clarifies rights of those who own private property near Lake Erie and other bodies of water. When the Ohio General Assembly debated the Great Lakes Compact (a multi-state piece of legislation to protect the public interest in the use of the Great Lakes) earlier this year some legislators expressed concern about the potential impact on private property rights for those near Lake Erie. In order to secure support for the Great Lakes Compact a deal was struck to place this issue before voters to ensure that the Ohio constitution provided protection for those who own property along such lakes. SEIU is neutral on Issue Three. ISSUE FOUR: Ohio Healthy Families Act (WITHDRAWN) ISSUE FIVE: Referendum on Payday Lending Reform Legislation Earlier this year SEIU joined with hundreds of other organizations to lobby and pass legislation in the Ohio General Assembly to rein in the payday lending industry. SEIU believes that the two-week payday loan product with a 391% APR interest is designed to capture borrowers in a cycle of debt that forces individuals to repeatedly borrow larger and larger amounts. This predatory lending practice is bad for Ohio. The coalition succeeded in passing a law to cap interest rates on small loans at 28% APR. Now the payday loan industry has funded an effort to undo this law by placing a referendum on the ballot. A YES vote is required to keep the interest cap of 28% and prevent the payday loan industry from preying on Ohioans in need of small loans. SEIU urges a YES vote on Issue Five ISSUE SIX: Allow Construction of a Casino in Southwest Ohio This proposed constitutional amendment would allow construction of a casino near Wilmington in Clinton County, between Columbus and Cincinnati. Supporters say that Ohio's 88 counties would divide 30 percent of the revenue from the casino; the proposed casino and resort would create thousands of jobs; and the casino would keep gambling money from going out of state. Opponents say that Ohio voters already have said no to casino gambling three times; Issue 6 also says that if other casinos are built in Ohio that the tax rate for the Clinton county casino would drop to whatever the other casino pays, possibly 0%; and the financial benefits will be minimal for counties and nonexistent for state government. SEIU is neutral on Issue Six
About chris.collins
I'm SEIU's Legislative Director. I monitor activities at the Ohio Statehouse, track legislation, build relationships with allied groups, and educate legislators about SEIU. I also communicate with SEIU members about legislative actions that will affect their jobs and their lives.