Ohio voters will decide on Issue 2 on May 6, 2025. Issue 2 would authorize the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds over 10 years to help local governments fund infrastructure projects.
Issue 2 would authorize the issuance of up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds (GO bonds) over a 10-year period, with no more than $250 million issued annually. The funding would help local governments pay for public infrastructure projects. In Ohio, a GO bond is a type of loan the state can use to fund public projects. These bonds are backed by the state’s ability to repay the loan through tax revenues. This does not mean taxes must increase. Instead, the state’s ability to raise taxes if needed provides assurance to bondholders.
State Rep. Dan Troy (D-23), who supports Issue 2, said, “We’ve seen the price increases, supply chain issues, the materials, etc., so that at least is necessary. This will be paid through state general obligation bonds. There is no tax increase involved here. We have to make it very clear, no, this does not involve your local property taxes, this does not involve your local income taxes and obviously, there certainly has been no pattern in state government as related to any tax rates going up.”
The funding would be provided through the State Capital Improvement Program, or SCIP, which offers financial support to local governments for infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, sewers, stormwater systems, and waste facilities. According to the Ohio Public Works Commission, SCIP funded 4,543 projects across the state’s 88 counties between fiscal years 2017 and 2025. The program supports capital improvement projects related to roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste facilities, flood control systems, and stormwater or sanitary sewer systems. It also covers land, buildings, and equipment needed for those projects.
Issue 2 is supported by the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition, which organized the Yes 2 Build Ohio campaign. As of April 16, the campaign had raised $697,500 in contributions, with top donors including the Ohio Construction Information Association, IUOE Local 18, and the Ohio Laborer’s District Council PCE. Ballotpedia did not identify a registered campaign opposing the measure.
State Sen. Brian Chavez (R-30), who supports the measure, said, “This program has proven over decades to be a crucial resource for municipalities across the state and especially in rural areas. I have heard from many local officials whose counties have benefited from these funds for the improvement of roads, bridges, and more in their communities. Necessary infrastructure projects simply could not be undertaken without this funding source.”
The Libertarian Party of Ohio, which opposes the measure, said, “[Issue 2] proposes a constitutional amendment for $2.5 billion in state bonds for infrastructure, conflicting with Libertarian principles of fiscal responsibility and limited government. The Libertarian Party of Ohio and the national party advocate balanced budgets through spending cuts, not new debt.”
Since 1987, Ohio voters have approved four bond measures to fund SCIP. Explore Ohio’s full ballot measure history, including the history of previous bond measures, and how Issue 2 fits into Ohio’s ballot measure landscape.
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