Much has been said about Issue 9.  So what matters, and what doesn't? 

If you're an undecided voter, perhaps you'll appreciate facts, not rhetoric.

Fact 1 -  WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THE STREETCAR.  The proposed ballot language was cleverly written, intended to sow confusion, and convince you, the voter, that somehow "all passenger rail" is the equivalent of "streetcar."  Voters are smart enough to know one is not the same.  Voters are smart enough to know that "all passenger rail" includes the Amtrak train that departs Union Terminal, and the Zoo Safari Train that our children and families enjoy.  But shhhh…the proponents of Issue 9 don't want to you to know this fact.

Fact 2 – ISSUE 9 WOULD PERMANENTLY AMEND OUR CITY CHARTER, making Cincinnati the ONLY city in America that altered its version of the Constitution with a "vote on everything" passenger rail requirement.  Since no other community has taken this measure, we should ask ourselves --- are we that much smarter, or stupider, than everyone else?  I conclude that when our city is competing with everyone in America for our own tax dollars that can only be used for transportation, Issue 9 is unwise, unless, of course, you prefer Cincinnati to be at the bottom of the Federal funding list. 

Fact 3 – ISSUE 9 IS WASTEFUL. If passed, Issue 9 would require Cincinnatians to vote on EACH & EVERY construction improvement and right-of-way acquisition, meaning that if the city wanted to repair the steps from Union Terminal to the Amtrak train, we first would be required to vote.   The cost of the paper and ink on the ballot would cost taxpayers more than the repair.  If the city, which owns the Zoo, needed to repair the Zoo Safari train, we would have to hold an election.  I am not making this up --- the City Solicitor is on record saying these everyday expenditures, no matter how small or big, which enable government to do their job , would now fall victim this Charter Amendment.

If you're undecided, consider the final fact --- THE PROPONENTS OF ISSUE 9 HAVE NOT ADDED A SINGLE ENDORSEMENT.  That's hard to do!  The "No on 9" campaign, conversely, has built the most diverse, broad-based coalition in recent memory.  Ask yourself - when is the last time all Chambers of Commerce (Cincinnati, African American, Hispanic and Over the Rhine), AFL-CIO, League of Women Voters, Cincinnatus, Sen. Bill Seitz (R), Sen. Eric Kearney (D), radio personality Bill Cunningham, Governor Strickland, Mayor Mark Mallory, Cincinnati Enquirer and many others were ALL in agreement? 

The only time I can recall is "No on 9."

Joe Sprengard, Jr., Co-chair, Cincinnatians for Progress

For the next seven days, please forget everything you know about the proposed streetcar project, and think about the following question: What Kind of City Does Cincinnati Want to Be?

Issue 9, the anti-passenger rail ballot issue, is our City's current opportunity to answer that question. First, Issue 9 essentially asks us whether we want to be led by the political ambitions/agendas of two polarizing figures, or whether we want to be led by our elected leaders. Second, Issue 9 asks us if we want to compete for talent and jobs in the near and long term future.

If Issue 9 is rejected, I believe Cincinnati is saying that we are excited to look forward to the future and to be a magnet city again - one that people want to visit, move to and work in.

I do not believe there is a single issue more important to that end than transportation choices - specifically, passenger rail.

My wonderful girlfriend calls herself a passenger rail widow. I didn't know the first thing about rail 12 months ago. But the truth is that I have spent the last 12 months of my free time volunteering with Cincinnatians for Progress because I see that the best cities in the world have passenger rail transportation. And the cities that are growing magnets for talented people with choices have passenger rail transportation.

I hope to Heaven our City sends a message with our answer to 'the question' next week on Tuesday, November 3 by voting No on 9.

Our City has some exciting positive momentum going right now, and we are almost ready to start growing again. But first, it's time to answer the question.

Vote No on 9. 
Bobby Maly, Co-chair Cincinnatians for Progress