What is Issue 7?
On November 2, Columbus residents have the opportunity to vote on a ballot issue that would redirect $87 million from the city’s general fund to create four funds: an Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Fund, a Clean Energy Education and Training Fund, a Minority Business Enterprise Clean Energy Development Fund and a Columbus Clean Energy Partnership Fund. Two of those funds – worth $67 million – would be transferred to an unidentified group with no legislative oversight.
The energy petition is a proposed ballot issue that would take $87,000,000 out of the city's general fund and give it to a secretive group formed out-of-state. The energy petition would require immediate cuts of $87,000,000 to workers and city services. Due to the City's funding structure, it would also cause funding cuts from the capital budget, which means no new street resurfacing, sidewalks, streetlights, or firetrucks in 2022. This group, Pro Energy Ohio, LLC, wants to deposit our money out of state and would control how most of the money spent. The City Attorney said the issue is so vague, it's difficult to know where the money could go. What would happen to city finances if Issue 7 passed?
The city would cut programs and services funded by the general fund. Personnel costs constitute the largest portion of the general fund. Cuts in first responders, health care workers and other departments would be likely. Another option would be to deplete the Rainy Day Fund used to cover costs in a fiscal emergency, depleting several decades’ worth of funding.
Per the Columbus Dispatch Editorial team "The group is operating in the shadows and hoping you do not see its true intentions: using this city's money how it wills." Dispatch Editorial Board They are seemingly hoping that environmentally conscience Columbus voters will be attracted to the shadowy group's stated "purpose of reducing the cost of electricity for customers who live in Columbus with a subsidy to purchase electricity from only wind, solar, fuel cell, geothermal, or hydropower producers." Make no mistake, green energy is a good thing. Also know that this is not about green energy. It is a shameful attempt to confuse well-meaning voters and bilk Columbus out of money that should be used for critical services such as police and fire protection, trash collection, health services, and recreation and parks programs. Additional reading:Columbus leaders urge 'no' vote on 'misguided and harmful' Issue 7- 9/15/21Don't be duped: Weaselly 'green energy' group tries to con Columbus voters out of $87 million- 10/3/21Letter to the Editor: Vote NO on Issue 7- 10/19/21
