Join LWVO at National Convention

LWV Ohio President Meg Flack and Membership Chair Jean Koznarek invite all delegates and visitors from the Ohio local Leagues to a reception at the LWVUS Convention in Atlanta next weekend.

• Saturday, June 12, 5:15 – 6:15 p.m.
• Room A708 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel

Questions? Please feel free to contact the State League. Note: No LWV-Ohio funds are being used to pay for the reception.

In addition, there are many exciting workshops and caucuses along with Plenary sessions at the Convention. Knowing both first-time, as well as repeat, Convention attendees will be in Atlanta, here are a few things that may help optimize your experience. If you can:

• Plan to attend the Pre-Convention Training, 2-5 p.m., Friday, June 11.
• Plan to attend the Parliamentarian’s Briefing, Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. - noon.
• Check out the Convention At-A-Glance section of the LWVUS website.
• Download the Convention Workbook from the LWVUS website.

If this is the first LWVUS Convention you are attending and you have any questions, please feel free to look for us there.

Best,

Meg and Jean

p.s. Follow National Convention on Twitter!

Primary election results

Thanks for voting this primary election in Ohio. For more information about this past election, check out the Secretary of State's website.

For more information on LWVO, visit our website.

Read state editorials and news on Issue 1 - Third Frontier

The May 4th Ohio primary election will be here before you know it. If you have received your absentee ballot, you can vote today! Have you decided how you will vote on Issue 1, AKA Third Frontier? If not, check out these editorials, YouTube videos and more, for information on this important topic.

• Warren Tribune editorial
• Dayton Daily News article
• Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer editorial
• Columbus’ NBC4 article
• Loraine Morning Journal (as a PDF from UnitedforJobsOhio.com)
• Ohio Dept. Of Development

YouTube videos from YesonIssue1Ohio

Connect to the League

Connect to the League of Women Voters of Ohio! Click on the following links to follow LWVO:

Twitter
Facebook

LWVO's Position on Issue 1 and the Ohio Constitution

The League of Women Voters of Ohio’s position on the Ohio Constitution is that it should be a clearly stated body of fundamental principles. (Read more in LWVO's Agenda for Action p. 6 "Government: Ohio Constitution" as a PDF) Therefore, LWV-Ohio has opposed some proposed constitutional measures in the past because they contained far too much specificity and did not address fundamental principles.

However, bonding authority that lasts longer than 2 years--as in Issue 1, the proposed Third Frontier Program amendment (Read the LWVO's explanation of Issue 1 as a PDF here) --must be set forth in the Constitution by law. Therefore, that was not a consideration as we assessed whether to support, oppose or remain neutral on Issue 1.

The League’s support of Issue 1--which if approved, would extend the Third Frontier Program to direct money towards projects that could improve the state’s economy--is based on League of Women Voters of US’s principle on government standards and policies.

LWVUS Principle: That government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy….

Position on Issue 2: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Change Location of Casino in Central Ohio (Primary 2010)

Here is the LWVO's positions on Issue 2 on the 2010 primary election ballot:

Issue 2: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO CHANGE THE AUTHORIZED LOCATION OF THE CASINO IN CENTRAL OHIO FROM COLUMBUS TO A DESIGNATED SITE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY - NEUTRAL

In November of 2009, the League opposed the ballot issue authorizing casinos in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo. The League opposed it because it contained too much specificity to be included in the Ohio Constitution. In addition, it violated the state League’s position that the legislature should have flexibility in financing state programs, because the proposed amendment directed how the tax revenues will be spent.

The 2009 ballot issue passed, and these provisions are now in the Ohio Constitution. The May 2010 ballot issue’s focus is solely on changing the location of the casino in Columbus. Passage of Issue 2 would not change the amount of specificity in the Constitution, nor would it change the distribution of the tax revenue.

Having no position on which to oppose or support the ballot issue, the League of Women Voters of Ohio remains neutral on it.

Read more here on lwvohio.org
Be sure to check out the LWVO's position on state issue 1.

Position on Issue 1: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to extend the Ohio Third Frontier Program (Primary 2010 Election)

Here is the LWVO's positions on Issue 1 on the 2010 primary election ballot:

Issue 1: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE OHIO THIRD FRONTIER PROGRAM BY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH - SUPPORT

In 2005, the League of Women Voters of Ohio supported the ballot issue that provided bonding authority for infrastructure along with the initial Third Frontier bonding authority. While the League continues to be concerned about expanding “public purpose” to include private sector recipients as allowed in the Third Frontier program, the success of the 2005 program and the need to continue to support projects that could improve the state’s depressed economy overrides that concern.

The League’s support is based on League of Women Voters of the United States’ principle on government standards and policies.

LWVUS Principle: That government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy….

Read more here on lwvohio.org.
Be sure to check out the LWVO's position on state issue 2.