Ohio's $2.5 billion infrastructure plan goes to voters Tuesday
It's primary Election Day, and for many local voters there's only one item on the ballot: State Issue 2.
Why it matters: If OK'd by voters, it would authorize the state to allocate $2.5 billion over 10 years to fund public infrastructure projects to improve bridges, roads, sewers and water lines.
In case you missed our recent explainer, the State Capital Improvement Program dates back to 1987, and it's been renewed at the ballot box about every 10 years.
How it works: The program is funded with bonds, meaning your property tax bill won't change whether it passes or fails.
The program currently disburses up to $200 million annually. A successful Issue 2 would up the yearly amount to $250 million.
Local governments first request grants. A committee of local officials sends approved projects to the Ohio Public Works Commission, which administers the program.
Zoom in: The State Capital Improvement Program has supported nearly 4,500 projects over the past decade in every county.
Cleveland projects have included the design and rehabilitation of a number of major streets — Carnegie and Payne downtown, West 65th Street and Fulton Road on the west side, and East 79th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the east.
By the numbers: There's no "Issue 1" this year and won't be for many years to come.
The statewide ballot numbering system previously reset every year, but now will be numbered sequentially through 500 before returning to 1 to avoid confusion.
✏️ Voters in Bay Village and Parma will also be deciding on school levies Tuesday.
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Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Pride, politics and power
Happy Monday, Illinois. We're getting to that lazy-day-of-summer feeling. TOP TALKER Chicago's political glitterati sipped coffee and side-eyed their rivals at the Fat Cat diner Sunday morning during a buzzy pre-Pride Parade reception — an affair that took on a political tone after two headline-grabbing U.S. Supreme Court decisions rattled Illinois Democrats. The high court's rulings — one green-lighting religious exemptions from LGBTQ+-themed schoolbooks, the other reining in federal judges' ability to block policies impacting birthright citizenship — cast a shadow over the annual celebration. 'I remember marching 30 years ago when this was a protest. Then it became a celebration. Unfortunately, this administration is taking us backwards,' Gov. JB Pritzker told your Playbook host. Illinois Atty Gen. Kwame Raoul didn't mince words either, saying he's more focused than ever on litigation challenging the court's ruling affecting birthright citizenship. 'We need a nationwide injunction to get complete relief,' Raoul said, pointedly. 'You can't say, 'You're a U.S. citizen in Illinois but not in Missouri.' That doesn't make sense.' The Fat Cat vibe: Think Manny's Deli on Election Day but with a crowd of political candidates dressed in colorful parade attire and wearing comfortable shoes. There was political intrigue: Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson entered and exited from opposite ends of the restaurant — no glad-handing, no eye contact, not even a shared selfie opp. Coincidence or careful choreography? And with the 2026 election cycle already casting its long shadow, the real game on Sunday was more 'strategic avoidance' than parade prep. U.S. Senate candidates Juliana Stratton, Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi were all spotted working the room — but notably steering clear of each other. In politics, proximity is power. On Sunday, distance said more. RELATED How another Supreme Court case has changed Illinois: 'The political action committee that for decades supported candidates who back abortion rights in Illinois — making the state a haven for reproductive choice — is taking its political playbook to red states, including Indiana and Arkansas, which virtually ban the procedure,' via your Playbook host. Chris Murphy calls birthright citizenship ruling 'dangerous,' by POLITICO's Cheyanne M. Daniels Activists say celebrations are more critical as U.S., conservative states such as Indiana rescind LGBTQ+ protections, by the Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos At Pride Parade, Chicagoans show support for LGBTQ+ community: 'It's more important than ever,' by Block Club's Charles Thrush and Jake Cox THE BUZZ NEW TODAY: The Democratic National Committee is ramping up efforts to build up the party brand this summer by holding events in 35 targeted districts across the country, including in Illinois. Watch for voter-registration drives — something the DNC has for years left up to nonprofits — and mobilizing thousands of volunteers to engage in social media and local community groups to promote the party's initiatives. The goal of 'Organizing Summer,' as the campaign is called, is to create authentic conversations in non-political spaces, both within volunteers' personal networks and in their communities. Watch for discussions to pop up in sports forums, community groups, book clubs and on social media platforms, echoing the hyper-local campaign efforts that Barack Obama made in his early presidential campaigns. 'We're going to be at concerts, county fairs and sporting events,' said a person familiar with the plans. WHERE'S JB At the 555 West Monroe state offices at 9:30 a.m. to sign into law college access and affordability bills that will support high school students across Illinois WHERE's BRANDON At Malcolm X College at 6 p.m. for a 2026 budget roundtable Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — 'I don't shy away from a fight': Pritzker's run for atypical third term fits unprecedented times: Asked if his decision would have been different if former Vice President Kamala Harris had defeated Trump, Pritzker said he did not think so, but reemphasized that 'in this moment, it feels like walking away is the wrong thing to do given who is in the White House and given how this administration is attacking people all across this country,' via Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore. — More intrigue on who Pritzker might pick as his No. 2: Along with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, who we mentioned earlier this month, state Rep. Lisa Hernandez's name has popped up, by the Tribune's Olivia Olander and Rick Pearson. — Jessica Vasquez, recently appointed as Cook County commissioner for the 8th District, launched her campaign over the weekend to run for a full four-year term in 2026. The campaign launch follows an early fundraising effort in which she raised more than $13,000 in small donations. 'I'm a daughter of this district. I was born and raised here,' she said in a statement. 'I'm committed to protecting our immigrant communities, defending access to affordable housing, and delivering the bold, compassionate leadership our communities deserve.' ILLINOIS' POPE — Pope Leo looks to MAGA megadonors to shore up Church finances: 'Wealthy American conservatives hint they're ready to cough up again to rescue the scandal-ridden Church from going broke,' by POLITICO's Ben Munster, Hannah Roberts and Megan Messerly. THE STATEWIDES — Pritzker says Illinois needs to address 'property tax problem' in coming years: 'It's not just a one-time solution, it's something that requires us to increase investment in education, that is the biggest problem. You get your property tax bill, most of that is paying for education locally,' Pritzker said at a campaign stop last week, via Peoria Journal Star's JJ Bullock. — Illinois' gas tax goes up this week, by NBC 5 — Law taking effect July 1 in Indiana creates the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, by News 25's Howard Packowitz CHICAGO — Median sales price of a Chicago home is $390,000: 'The latest housing report from the Chicago Association of Realtors found the median sales price of a Chicago home in May increased about 8 percent year over year,' by the Sun-Times' Mariah Rush. — Mayor's 'pending' Springfield lobbyist team draws ethics questions: 'We couldn't have them declare that they were under contract with the city if the contracts weren't finally approved,' the mayor's new lead Springfield IGA director, John Arena, said. 'So it was kind of a catch-22, but because they were already under contract with a client … we were going to exchange information that was relevant to those particular fields,' by the Tribune's Alice Yin, Jeremy Gorner and A.D. Quig. — A once-resplendent bandstand in Garfield Park is getting the $2M restoration it deserves, by the Sun-Times' Lee Bey — City outlines safety protocols for Damen Silos demolition, by the Sun-Times' Cindy Hernandez — The rodents of Chicago are evolving in real time, scientists say, by Elizabeth Rayne for Popular Mechanics — PAC launched by Paul Vallas is behind texts slamming Mayor Johnson and some progressive aldermen for their 'snap curfew' vote, by the Triibe's Tonia Hill — Opinion: Decision to get rid of the tipped minimum wage is leading to more restaurants closing, according to a Tribune editorial COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Sharp drop in arrests, other long-term crime trends shown in new Cook County data dashboard: 'What we've been seeing for a decade is a shift in thinking about how we respond to crime,' said David Olson of Loyola's Center for Criminal Justice, by the Tribune's Madeline Buckley. — Plainfield monument dedicated to slain 6-year-old Palestinian American, by Shaw Local's Denise M. Baran-Unland — Back story| Why MLK came to DuPage County in 1967: The Civil Rights leader visited a 'tent-in' protest against construction of an atomic energy accelerator in Weston where Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory would be built, by the Daily Herald's Katlyn Smith. — Campton Hills in Kane County ranked among best small towns, via Travel & Leisure TAKING NAMES — Raul Garza, CEO of Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness, has been unanimously elected chair of the Cook County Health System board of directors. Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry was elected vice chair. Reader Digest We asked what music you like listening to outdoors. Denise Barreto: 'Caribbean Soca beats are synonymous with sun and heat.' Lee Blackwell: 'Common and Chance the Rapper, both speaking out through their music and telling their stories, both from Chicago, rooted in Chicago, and both always giving so much back to Chicago. To hear them outside together on a fall evening would be my dream come true.' Ted Cox: 'David Murray's 'Shakill's Warrior' is greasy good jazz, with Don Pullen on the Hammond B-3, and my default for barbecuing ribs.' Phillip Crivellone: 'The Allman Brothers Band always sets the tone.' Christopher Deutsch: 'Super chill electronic music without lyrics. Artists such as Tycho, Com Truise & Lights Out Asia are my top recommendations.' Henry Haupt: 'Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers!' Carlton Hull: 'Rhythm and blues.' Jarod Hitchings: 'Roy Orbison is my go-to while swimming laps in the pool.' Jim Lyons: 'Classic rock.' Dan Mattoon: 'The Beach Boys.' Jeff Nathan: 'The Byrds.' Timothy Powell: 'A Grateful Dead concert, which lasts about the same length as my daily bike ride.' Gail Purkey: 'Soul, R&B.' Enza Raineri: 'Bruce Springsteen or the Beach Boys.' Timothy Thomas: 'The late Al Jarreau on the Sirius XM playlist.' Bill Utter: 'Anything under the Ravinia Pavilion.' Corrine Williams: 'Country music.' Steven Zaris: 'Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty's solo work.' NEXT QUESTION: What's your favorite beach? THE NATIONAL TAKE — Canada drops digital tax that angered Trump to resume U.S. trade talks, by POLITICO's Yurii Stasiuk — Trump won't let other countries score big 'wins' in trade talks. Both sides could lose, by POLITICO's Daniel Desrochers and Megan Messerly — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis denounces GOP megabill's Medicaid cuts in fiery speech, by POLITICO's Mia McCarthy and Jordain Carney — Trump tried to fire them, but some Democratic appointees are still on the job, by POLITICO's Hassan Ali Kanu EVENTS — Tuesday: A book launch for 'Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre.' Details here TRIVIA FRIDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Matthew Beaudet for correctly answering that Route 66 starts at the intersection of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. That's where the historic marker is located, though the Mother Road, as it's called, originally began on Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Avenue. The Tribune featured a Route 66 story over the weekend. TODAY's QUESTION: What was the first school in Illinois to retire a Native American-themed mascot? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cook County Circuit Court Judge Linda Perez, Wilmette Trustee Mike Lieber, Worth Township Clerk Eamon McMahon, former state Rep. Dave Winters, lobbyist John Kelly, Executives' Club of Chicago CEO Dorri McWhorter, Governor's Office Senior Policy Adviser Emily Miller, political strategist Norm Sterzenbach and Democratic activist Paul Jones -30-
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
‘60 Minutes' Kamala Harris interview at center of Trump lawsuit runs afoul of Cronkite-era CBS guidelines
The infamous '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris that sparked President Donald Trump's $20 billion 'election interference' lawsuit conflicted with Walter Cronkite-era CBS News guidelines. Cronkite, who was the face of 'CBS Evening News' from 1962 to 1981, was the premier anchorman of America's golden age of network news. In 1976, at the height of Cronkite's reign as 'the most trusted man in America,' CBS News president Richard Salant penned a 76-page document outlining CBS News standards. Advertisement Page 58 is focused on editing and suggests the '60 Minutes' interview at the center of Trump's lawsuit against CBS News would have been frowned upon during the Cronkite era. 'The objective of the editing process is to produce a clear and succinct statement which reflects fairly, honestly and without distortion what was seen and heard by our reporters, cameras and microphones,' Salant wrote in the 1976 document, which has come to the attention of the Trump legal team. Trump's lawsuit alleges CBS News deceitfully edited an exchange Harris had with '60 Minutes' correspondent Bill Whitaker, who asked her why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't 'listening' to the Biden administration. Harris was criticized for the 'word salad' answer that aired in a preview clip of the interview on 'Face the Nation.' 3 60 Minutes election special, Bill Whitaker asks Vice President Kamala Harris how she'll fund her economic plan and how she'd get it through Congress. 60 Minutes / CBS Advertisement However, when the same question aired during a primetime special on the network, she gave a different, more concise response. Critics at the time accused CBS News of editing her answer to shield the Democratic nominee from further backlash leading up to Election Day. The raw transcript and footage released earlier this year by the FCC showed that both sets of Harris' comments came from the same lengthy response, but CBS News had aired only the first half of her response in the 'Face the Nation' preview clip and aired the second half during the primetime special. 3 Trump's lawsuit alleges CBS News deceitfully edited an exchange Harris had with '60 Minutes' correspondent Bill Whitaker. 60 Minutes / CBS CBS News, which has denied any wrongdoing and stands by the broadcast and its reporting, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital when asked if the Cronkite-era standards have changed. Advertisement 'If more than one excerpt from a speech or statement is included in a documentary broadcast, the order of their inclusion in the broadcast will be the same as the order of their inclusion in the speech or statement, unless the broadcast specifically indicates otherwise,' Salant wrote in the 1976 CBS News Standards guide. When Cronkite died in 2009 at age 92, his Associated Press obituary said the famed anchor 'valued accuracy, objectivity and understated compassion' and 'always aimed to be fair and professional in his judgments' regardless of personal views on a topic. 3 Photograph of Walter Cronkite in the year 1950, doing the 6 o'clock news at WTOP-TV in Washington, D.C., taken from the book 'A Reporter's Life'. 12.18.96 Two polls pronounced Cronkite the 'most trusted man in America': a 1972 'trust index' survey in which he finished No. 1, about 15 points higher than leading politicians, and a 1974 survey in which people chose him as the most trusted television newscaster, according to the AP. Advertisement Salant, who was running CBS News when '60 Minutes' was launched, was lauded by The New York Times when he died in 1993. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! 'He was credited with raising professional standards and expanding news programming at CBS,' the Times wrote. CBS News, along with parent company Paramount, are currently in mediation with hopes of settling with Trump. The mediator recently proposed the network end the president's $20 billion lawsuit with a $20 million settlement, according to the Wall Street Journal. Last month, Trump rejected Paramount's $15 million settlement offer as he sought at least a $25 million payout as well as an apology. According to the Wall Street Journal, Paramount 'isn't prepared' to give one.
2 days ago
High court ruling on injunctions could imperil many court orders blocking the Trump administration
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Friday limiting federal judges from issuing nationwide injunctions threatens to upend numerous lawsuits that have led to orders blocking Trump administration policies. Between the start of the new administration and mid-May, judges issued roughly 40 nationwide injunctions against the White House on topics including federal funding, elections rules and diversity and equity considerations. Attorneys involved in some of those cases are vowing to keep fighting, noting the high court left open other legal paths that could have broad nationwide effect. Here's a look at some of the decisions that could be impacted: Multiple federal judges have issued nationwide injunctions blocking President Donald Trump's order denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of people who are in the country illegally or temporarily. The high court's decision Friday came in a lawsuit over that order, but the justices left unclear whether the restrictions on birthright citizenship could soon take effect in parts of the country. Opponents went back to court within hours of the opinion, using a legal path the court left open to file class-action lawsuits that could have nationwide effect. On June 13, U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper in Massachusetts blocked Trump's attempt to overhaul elections in the U.S. An executive order the Republican president issued in March sought to compel officials to require documentary proof of citizenship for everyone registering to vote for federal elections, accept only mailed ballots received by Election Day and condition federal election grant funding on states adhering to the new ballot deadline. California was one of the plaintiffs in that suit. The office of the state's attorney general, Rob Bonta, said in an email it was assessing the effect of Friday's Supreme Court decision on all of the state's litigation. A federal judge in California in April blocked the administration from cutting off funding for legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children. The administration has appealed. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin in San Francisco said there was 'no practical way' to limit the scope of the injunction by party or by geography. 'Indeed, as discussed with the Government's declarants at the preliminary injunction hearing, there exists only one contract for the provision of the subject funding, and it applies to direct legal services nationwide,' Martinez-Olguin wrote. Plaintiffs' attorney Adina Appelbaum, program director for the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, said she didn't think the Supreme Court's decision would significantly affect her case. But she blasted it, saying the high court had 'turned its back on its role to protect the people,' including immigrants. A federal judge in February largely blocked sweeping executive orders that sought to end government support for programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore granted a preliminary injunction preventing the administration from terminating or changing federal contracts it considers equity-related. An appeals court later put the decision on hold. Attorneys for the group Democracy Forward represented plaintiffs in the case. The group's president and CEO, Skye Perryman, said she was disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling, calling it another barrier to seeking relief in court. But she also said it was limited and could keep at least some decisions blocking the Trump administration in place. A federal judge in February stopped the administration from withholding federal funds from health care facilities that provide gender-affirming care to patients under the age of 19. Explaining his reasoning for a nationwide injunction, U.S. District Judge Brendan Abell Hurson in Maryland said a 'piecemeal approach is not appropriate in this case.' 'Significant confusion would result from preventing agencies from conditioning funding on certain medical institutions, while allowing conditional funding to persist as to other medical institutions,' he wrote. An appeal in the case was on hold as the Supreme Court considered similar issues about minors and transgender health care. The high court last week upheld a Tennessee law banning key health care treatments for transgender youth. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, senior counsel for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc., was one of the attorneys who secured Hurson's ruling. He said the plaintiffs' lawyers were still evaluating the possible impact of the Supreme Court's decision, but he believed the high court recognized that 'systematic, universal relief is sometimes appropriate.' In May, a judge in Rhode Island blocked an executive order that sought to dismantle federal agencies supporting libraries, museums, minority businesses and parties in labor disputes. The administration has appealed. Rhode Island was a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The state's attorney general, Peter F. Neronha, said in a statement Friday he would "continue to pull every available legal lever to ensure that Americans, all Americans, are protected from the progressively dangerous whims of this President.' ___
