LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES LIKELY ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

In addition to the Presidential, Attorney General, Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate races there could be several statewide issues on the November 4, 2008 ballot.  Below is a listing of the status of the potential statewide ballot issues:

            Proposed Constitutional Amendments

1. $400 million “Clean Ohio” Bond Package

This proposal is part of a $1.6 billion economic stimulus package.  The majority of the stimulus package is included in H.B. 554 that was recently passed by the Legislature. The Legislature also passed H.J.R. 5 which places the $400 million bond package on this November’s ballot.  This proposal would double the size of the Clean Ohio conservation and revitalization bond program.

1. Protection of Landowners’ Water Rights

The Legislature passed S.J.R. 8 to place this constitutional amendment on the November ballot relating to protection of landowners’ property interests with respect to ground water and other water flowing through a property owner’s land. 

1. Filing Deadlines for Statewide Ballot Issues

The Legislature also passed H.J.R. 3 to place on the November ballot a change in the petition filing deadline for most statewide ballot issues from 90 days to 125 days before an election.  This will not affect any of the November 4, 2008 ballot issues.

1. Single Casino Site in Clinton County

Proponents of a casino near I-71 in Clinton County, southwest of Columbus, are proposing a constitutional amendment to build a single casino at that location.  A portion of the casino revenues would be distributed to all 88 counties in Ohio.  Proponents have until August 6, 2008 to collect 402,275 valid signatures to be on the November 4, 2008 ballot.

1. Ban on Automatic Payroll Check Offs for Campaign Contributions

This proposed constitutional amendment would ban employers and unions from using automatic payroll deductions for campaign contributions unless they obtain the employee’s prior written approval.
 
To date, the Ohio Attorney General has not approved the summary of the proposal which must be approved prior to the soliciting of petitions to be signed by registered voters.  Due to the late starting of the collection of signatures for this constitutional amendment it faces an uphill battle to be on this November’s ballot; however, it could appear at a future election.

Initiated Statute

      Mandated Paid Sick Leave
This proposal would require all employers with 25 or more employees to pay 7 sick days for employees working 30 or more hours and a pro-rated amount for employees working less than 30 hours.  The proponents have until August 6, 2008 to collect 120,683 valid signatures which they are expected to accomplish.

Referendum

      Referendum of H.B. 545
This proposal is a referendum of H.B. 545 that significantly reduces the annual percentage rate of pay day loans.  To date, the Ohio Attorney General has rejected the summary of the proposal as not being a fair and truthful statement of the measure.  The proponents have until August 31, 2008 to collect 241,366 valid signatures.  A “yes” vote would allow H.B. 545 to become law and a “no” vote would prevent H.B. 545 from going into effect.              

---