Policy & Ballot Issues

Chair – Dr. Jim Mahon Ph.D., Compass Group, Inc.
Co-Chair – Mr. Akiva Freeman, CresaPartners, LLC

The Policy & Ballot Issues Committee evaluates local and state public policy referenda that can be enacted or cancelled by direct popular vote.  The Committee will monitor possible ballot issues and convene to evaluate those issues deemed most important for businesses and the Chamber.

If interested in joining the Policy & Ballot Issues Committee, please email Tom Ewing, tewing@cincinnatichamber.com.

Committee Dates:

TBD

Key Issues:
Statewide Taxes or Bond Issues
Countywide Taxes or Bond Issues
Federal, State, and/or Local Ballot Measures

3rd Quarter Update:
The Committee did not meet during the last quarter.  However, a subcommittee did meet, a group dubbed the “Criteria” Subcommittee because it worked to identify and standardize the documents that would be of highest value for the P&BI Committee to obtain as it reviews and seeks to evaluate a proposed public policy or ballot issue.

This “Criteria” document is on the GAC Agenda for 08/05 and it will be presented and discussed.  The GAC will be asked to approve the “Criteria” document.

2nd Quarter Update:
The Committee will be meeting to discuss issues facing voters in the May 4th statewide primaries.

Although the Chamber Board has already issued support for Issue 1, renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier, the Committee will continue to meet to discuss ways the Chamber can support renewal campaign efforts.

Issue 2 is another statewide issue up for a vote in May.  Passage of Issue 2 would allow the new Columbus casino to move – from a downtown location to a new site just west of downtown.  This is a statewide vote because the original site location was part of the 2009 successful ballot initiative that amended the Ohio Constitution.  Designating a different casino site will require further amending of the State Constitution.  As such, the committee will be meeting to discuss whether or not to recommend a formal position for the Chamber.  The Columbus Chamber is in support of Issue 2.

Additionally, a sub-committee will form to address how the larger P&BI committee evaluates and judges issues.  Specifically, what criteria should be used to decide the issues deserving the Committee’s time for recommendations to the Chamber.  Those are questions we have discussed in the past.  The sub-committee hopes to identify objective criteria and use it going forward.

1st Quarter Update:
In 2010, one of the key issues the Committee will follow is Ohio’s effort to renew the Third Frontier economic development program.  Lawmakers would like to get 3rd Frontier on the May ballot.  Most likely, the Chamber would be inclined to support this ballot initiative since the program is popular and is judged successful from an economic standpoint.  However, the actual amount of the bond program will bear watching because the bonds have to be paid back with general revenue funds.

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners is discussing potential changes in the County sales tax, a new way to fund mass transit – currently paid for only through the City of Cincinnati’s earnings tax – and a new proposal for the way in which health care levy dollars are disbursed.  As these issues may come before voters on the ballot, the Committee will watch these issues as additional important topics that may emerge.

The prospect of a vote allowing slot machines at Ohio’s race tracks may be on the November ballot and the Committee will also be watching this issue.

There are no Hamilton County levies up for renewal in 2010.

One topic from 2009 the Committee would like to follow up on is the subject of additional revenue for the Cincinnati Public Schools.  Discussions on the best way for the Committee to follow up are ongoing.

The Policy and Ballot Issues Committee meets on an ad hoc basis.