Regional Chamber Board Supports Issue 1

Upon the recommendation of its Government Affairs Council, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors recommended voting “yes” on statewide Issue I.

Issue I would create a more bi-partisan, public process for redrawing U.S. Congressional districts by requiring minority party support prior to the Ohio General Assembly approving new boundaries.  Issue I would also include rules that limit the legislature’s ability to divide counties, municipalities and townships. 

The proposal received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the General Assembly, which passed the resolution necessary for it to be placed as a constitutional amendment on the May 8 ballot. If approved by voters, the rules would take effect for the next redistricting process in 2021, which will be based on the 2020 census. Ohio is expected to lose at least one Congressional seat as a result of the census.

“This plan is the result of meaningful, bipartisan cooperation that will reform Ohio’s gerrymandering,” said Regional Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Guy Coviello.

The Coalition for Redistricting Reform includes U.S. Representative Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington), U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus), Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina), Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights), House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) and Ann Henkener of the  League of Women Voters.

The campaign is led by a bipartisan team of advisers, including former Ohio House Majority Chief of Staff Mike Dittoe, former Ohio House Minority Chief of Staff Keary McCarthy, Ohio Environmental Council Executive Director Heather Taylor-Miesle and former Ohio Senate Majority Chief of Staff Jason Mauk.