(Photo: RawPixel Stock Photo)
Columbus, Ohio — April 2025 — Ohio voters are preparing to decide on a statewide ballot measure that could authorize up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds for public infrastructure improvements over the next decade.
Known as State Issue 2 — the Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment — the measure will appear on the ballot on May 6, 2025 after overwhelming bipartisan support in the Ohio General Assembly.
If approved, the Ohio Constitution would be amended to allow issuance of up to $250 million annually over 10 years to support the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), a long‑standing funding mechanism for local roads, bridges, wastewater systems, water supplies, stormwater utilities, and solid‑waste facilities.
What the Measure Would Do
-
Provide up to $2.5 billion in bonds for public infrastructure projects statewide.
-
Maintain the SCIP program, which has funded thousands of projects in every Ohio county since 1987.
-
Fund road and bridge repairs, water and sewer upgrades, and stormwater improvements.
-
Use existing state revenues to repay the bonds without increasing taxes.
Support and Opposition
Supporters — including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio AFL‑CIO, Ohio Farm Bureau, and local government associations — argue that the renewal will continue vital improvements and create an estimated 35,000 construction jobs.
Opponents are limited and focused mainly on increasing state debt and concerns about long‑term repayment costs, but the measure has drawn broad bipartisan backing.
Local Voices
In Knox County, the program has historically funded more than $42 million in infrastructure improvements, benefiting roads, bridges, and water systems in dozens of communities.
County officials have highlighted how consistent funding through SCIP has improved daily life, from safer highways to more reliable drinking water infrastructure.
Why This Matters
The renewal of Issue 2 ensures that local governments continue to receive state support for infrastructure improvements that are often too costly to fund independently. Ohio’s aging roads, bridges, and utilities require consistent investment, and the bond program has been credited with maintaining quality of life and enabling economic growth statewide.
Looking Ahead
With early voting now open and the May 6 election approaching, elected officials, labor groups, and civic leaders are encouraging informed participation, noting that Issue 2’s approval will direct significant funding toward community needs without raising taxes.