Coalition wants Youngstown voters to reject anti-fracking amendment proposal

YOUNGSTOWN — A coalition of business, labor, political and religious leaders are urging Youngstown voters to reject the anti-fracking “Community Bill of Rights” charter-amendment proposal, saying it could hurt the city’s economy if approved.

Members of the Mahoning Valley Coalition for Job Growth said today the ballot issue wouldn’t just ban fracking – none exists in the city – but gives people the right to sue based on perceived violations of environmental pollution.

Supporters say their charter-amendment proposal strengthens people’s rights to drink clean water, breathe clean air and to self-govern.

This is the sixth time the proposal is on the city’s ballot. It failed twice in both 2013 and 2014, and in the November 2015 election. The last time it was in front of voters, however, it lost by only 2.46 percentage points.

If it loses again, backers of the proposal say they will put it on the ballot until it wins - no matter how many times it takes.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com