Those against the streetcar said it’s a luxury the city cannot afford during tough economic times as Cincinnati faces a $33 million budget deficit.
Those for the streetcar said it will jump start a sluggish economy by creating jobs, attracting new residents and boosting tax revenue. The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and Cincinnatians for Progress are among the notable groups for streetcar development.
Voters rejected a similar proposal in 2009.
The $95 million, 3.1-mile project will operate in 2013. Its route will be from downtown’s Government Square to Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market.
Issues 44, 45
Voters approved Issues 44 and 45 resoundingly, allowing the city to put out bids for vendors for electricity and gas. The city will choose the best and sign up all residents for the chosen vendor.
Voters approved both measures 59 percent to 41 percent. Residents can option out if they choose. Issue 45 allows for city residents to pool their electric demand to negotiate for better prices from suppliers.
Currently, residents have both gas and electric provided by Duke Energy unless they choose another provider.
City Council
Roxanne Qualls, Charlie Winburn, P.G. Sittenfeld, Cecil Thomas, Wendell Young, Yvette Simpson, Laure Quinlivan, Christopher Smitherman and Chris Seelbach were all elected to city council. Qualls earmed the most votes at 8 percent, with 96 percent of precincts reporting.
Twenty-two candidates were up for nine positions. Council members are elected to two-year terms and earn an annual salary of $55,701.
Qualls is a former mayor and is leader of the powerful budget and finance committee. Thomas, a former Cincinnati police officer, was elected to his fourth term. Winburn earned his second-straight term and was a council member from 1993 to 2001.
Young, also a former police officer, was appointed last year to replace Laketa Cole. This is his first term as an incumbent.
Sittenfeld earned his first term to council.
Health care levies
Hamilton County voters approved two health care levies, primarily affecting the region’s largest hospital — University Hospital — in terms of safety-net care.
With 70 percent voting in favor, county voters passed Issue 38, the children’s services levy.
County residents will continue to pay $50.58 for every $100,000 value of their home. The program will receive $39.1 million in 2012.
Voters also approved Issue 37 to provide health care for underprivileged residents. County residents voted 69 percent to 31 percent in favor of paying $2.94 less in tax than they currently pay for every $100,000 value of their home.
University Hospital will receive $20.9 million instead of the $26 million it receives now.
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