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Issue 7 is a misguided ballot issue
that would hurt our city.
Columbus community leaders - including labor, business, environmental and civic leaders - are working together to keep Columbus safe and healthy by opposing Issue 7. Civic leader opposition includes Mayor Andrew Ginther, Council President Shannon Hardin, as well as Auditor Megan Kilgore and former Auditor Hugh Dorrian.
The Council originally voted not to put it on the ballot, but the Ohio Supreme Court forced their hand and Issue 7 will go before the voters as the only issue on the ballot this November in Columbus.
Issue 7 would mean devastating cuts to our city’s budget, moving public money into the hands of a private company known to be corrupt and taking an unnecessary step in the wrong direction.

Devastating Cuts
Issue 7 would take $87 million out of the city’s general fund, which is roughly 10% of the total city budget.
It would cause massive cuts to city services, including public health, emergency services and parks.
Because of the City’s funding structure, it would also cause funding cuts to the capital budget. That would mean no new street resurfacing, sidewalks, streetlights or firetrucks next year.
As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, now would be an especially bad time for massive cuts to city services.
Corruption
Issue 7 is so vague, we don’t know where the money would go. What we do know is that Pro Energy Ohio, LLC - the group behind this effort that would control how most of the money is spent - is cause for even more alarm.
Its head, John Clark, has created a dozen apparent shell corporations in Ohio, all of which were shut down by the Ohio Department of Taxation. He has also been indicted for campaign finance violations relating to this ballot issue.
This group and the people behind this ballot issue have no business controlling city resources. Together they have numerous civil and criminal cases in Franklin County - ranging from not paying their city and state taxes to foreclosures, evictions, and liens.
Devastating Cuts
Issue 7 would take $87 million out of the city’s general fund, which is roughly 10% of the total city budget.
It would cause massive cuts to city services, including public health, emergency services and parks.
Because of the City’s funding structure, it would also cause funding cuts to the capital budget. That would mean no new street resurfacing, sidewalks, streetlights or firetrucks next year.
As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, now would be an especially bad time for massive cuts to city services.
