Taft presses bond issue for economic boost

The governor will be touting the measure in Youngstown on Thursday.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Republican Gov. Bob Taft is taking to the road to persuade Ohioans to say "yes" to a proposed bond issue he thinks will help the state's economy.
Taft sets off on a two-day, eight-city tour Wednesday to push for Issue 1, a $500 million bond issue on the November statewide ballot that could be used to stimulate the economy through such things as research and development.
Taft will begin in Columbus at Ohio State University, then has appearances in Cleveland, Toledo and Dayton on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the governor begins in Cincinnati at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and then has appearances in Marietta, Akron and Youngstown.
"Our message is, this will help create jobs, and it is not a tax increase," Brian K. Hicks said Monday. Hicks recently resigned as Taft's chief of staff to manage the Issue 1 campaign and operate his own political consulting company.
"We need to help diversify the economy," said Hicks, campaign manager for the Yes on Issue 1 Committee.
Uses for funds
According to Hicks, the proposed bond issue would be spread over 10 years, and proceeds could be used to support research and development efforts or the commercialization of new products.
Among the fields the effort could be concentrated in include health care, advanced manufacturing and other high-tech growth areas.
Hicks said he expects the committee will begin airing television and radio commercials in October.
The governor will also continue to travel the state in the coming months to make his case for the issue, Hicks said.
"It'll be a full-fledged statewide campaign," Hicks said.
The governor is raising money for the campaign, and proponents say they think it will likely be a $2 million to $3 million campaign, Hicks said.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is among the organizations supporting Issue 1.
"The competitiveness of the economy and being able to develop and remain competitive is the thing that's important to us," said Daniel Navin, managing director of legislative affairs for the Ohio chamber.