Opposing parties work to continue Clean Ohio success

By Marc Kovac

There is bipartisan backing for Issue 2: Clean Ohio continuation.

COLUMBUS — In the midst of sometimes-bitter campaigns for presidential and congressional races, Ohio’s top Republican and Democratic officeholders agree on at least one issue.

In fact, Gov. Ted Strickland, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris are so united in their support of the continuation of the Clean Ohio program, they’re serving as co-chairmen of the campaign to get the issue passed Nov. 4.

“The fact is that the Clean Ohio initiative is something that is hugely supported by Republicans, Democrats, labor, business, educational groups and others,” Strickland said.

Clean Ohio is Issue 2 on the fall ballot, a constitutional amendment that would authorize $400 million in bonds to pay for brownfield revitalization and green space preservation. The funds would be split, with $200 million devoted to revitalization and $200 million for conservation programs.

Clean Ohio was first approved by voters eight years ago and to date has been credited with the revitalization of 170-plus abandoned and polluted industrial sites, the preservation of 26,000 acres of natural areas and 216 miles of recreational trails, and the protection of 20,000 acres of farmland, according to campaign proponents.

The group also cites the program in the creation of 15,000-plus jobs and $2.6 billion in public and private investments in the state.

The program’s renewal was included as part of the $1.57 billion job stimulus package approved by lawmakers and signed by Strickland earlier this year.

Of the $400 million renewal, $40 million would be used to assess and remediate former industrial sites, $160 million would go to clean up those properties, $150 million would be used for green-space conservation programs, $25 million would go toward recreational trails, and $25 million would be used for farmland preservation, via the Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program.

There’s widespread support for the issue’s passage, including endorsements by more than 150 groups.

Though no organized opposition groups are actively campaigning against Clean Ohio, the national and state economic climate and bond issuance misunderstandings may be prompting voters to think twice about its passage.

In summarizing arguments against the renewal, the Ohio Ballot Board wrote, “The economy is in bad condition. When times are hard, this is when we must tighten our belts and spend only what is necessary and only what we can cover with incoming revenues. Issue 2 authorizes the government to take out more debts to pay for environmental revitalization and conservation. While this may be worthwhile, the state of Ohio should not be going into further debt.”

Steve Caminati, representing The Nature Conservancy and chairman of the Clean Ohio campaign, said internal polling data shows that two out of three Ohioans think the issue will raise taxes.

But that’s not the case, he said. Repayment of the $400 million bond issuance would be split between state liquor profits and general revenue funds — both current revenue streams.

“We’re trying to communicate the message that this is something that can stimulate the economy and has a proven track record of doing just that,” Caminati said.

mkovac@dixcom.com