Campaign Central

​The Leadership Fund Announces 2020 Candidate Endorsements

(Toledo, OH) - The Leadership Fund, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's political action committee, was formed in 2001. The purpose is to promote candidates who understand and work to preserve a pro-business climate in the Toledo Region. The fund supports candidates at the local and state level and does not endorse candidates for federal office.
 
As part of the endorsement process, all candidates from selected races who will appear on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot were invited to interview with members of The Leadership Fund Board. Candidates were evaluated on a set of criteria, which is below.
 
The Leadership Fund has voted to endorse: 

For Ohio Supreme Court
Sharon Kennedy
Judith French

For 6th District Court of Appeals
Myron Duhart

For Ohio Senate
District 2: Theresa Gavarone

For Ohio House of Representatives
District 3: Haraz Ghanbari
District 44: Paula Hicks-Hudson
District 45: Lisa Sobecki
District 46: Michael Sheehy
District 47: Derek Merrin
 
For Lucas County Commissioner
Pete Gerken
Tina Skeldon-Wozniak
 
For Toledo City Council
Katie Moline

What the Leadership Fund looks for in a candidate for endorsement:
  • Candidates that understand and support the concerns and interests of the Toledo Region's businesses.
  • Candidates with positions and voting records (where applicable) that support the interests of the region's businesses.
  • Likelihood of candidate to represent the interests of local business in the governing process when elected.
  • The candidate's knowledge and understanding of key business issues.
  • A general understanding of business and its role in the community.
  • Community involvement and leadership.
  • Leadership positions held within the elective body (if the candidate is seeking reelection or election after being appointed).
  • Overall electability, including fundraising, commitment and public image.

Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and Toledo Area Small Business Association (TASBA) announce 2020 Levy Positions

​(Toledo, OH) The boards of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Toledo Area Small Business Association (TASBA) recently voted on the following levies that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
 
City of Toledo 3/4% Income Tax/Issue 3: Continuation of the temporary income tax of 3⁄4%. Commencing January 1st, 2021 and continuing for 4 years. One-third to General Fund for Safety Services, one-third to General Fund, and one-third to the Capital
Improvement Fund. This revenue is essential to providing services for the city's residents and businesses. Both the Chamber and TASBA boards voted to support the levy.
 
City of Toledo, 1/4% Income Tax/Issue 4: Additional temporary income tax of 1⁄4%.
Commencing January 1st, 2021 and continuing for 4 years. All money to be deposited in a separate Road Improvement Fund. The TASBA board voted to not support the levy citing the need for a more detailed road improvement plan and budget. The Chamber board voted to support the levy citing that this is a decreased amount from what was proposed earlier in the year and specifically designated for road and bridge improvements in the ballot language.
 
Metroparks of Toledo/Issue 17: Property Tax 2 Mills. 10 year additional property tax for developing and maintaining and operating the park district, conservation and acquisition of park land. The TASBA board voted to not support the levy over concerns about the tax burden for small businesses. The Chamber board voted to support the levy, citing continuing to leverage the natural resources of our region as vital to attracting and retaining talent, building on the momentum of downtown, supporting the health of our citizens and creating additional economic growth and opportunity for underserved areas.
 
Lucas County Children’s Services(LCCS)/Issue 18: Property Tax 1.8 Mills. Five year renewal property tax for support and operations. The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2021. LCCS continues to face challenges addressing impacts of the opiate epidemic. They are also experiencing an increased number of referrals and an increased number of children in their care. Both the Chamber and TASBA boards voted to support the levy.
 
These levies were reviewed by the Chamber's Levy Review Subcommittee, which researches and studies levy requests and makes recommendations to other Chamber committees, culminating with the Chamber and TASBA boards. This process ensures that levy requests are examined by a broad cross-section of the Chamber's membership and reflect the views of the business community. The Chamber's comprehensive levy review process includes presentations by the agencies making the request, an examination of the impact of the levy request on both the agency and taxpayers, and a review of agency financials to better understand the need behind the request.

Voter Resources

Key Dates & Deadlines
Oct. 5, 2020: Deadline to register to vote
Oct. 6, 2020: Absentee voting by mail begins
Oct. 6, 2020: Early in-person voting begins (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Oct. 31, 2020: Deadline to request absentee ballot (must be received by noon)
Nov. 2, 2020: Absentee ballot postmark deadline
Nov. 2, 2020: Last day for early in-person voting (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Nov. 3, 2020: General Election (6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 3, 2020: Deadline to drop off absentee ballots at Board of Elections offices (no later than 7:30 p.m.)

Tax Charts
The charts below compare property tax, sales tax and income tax rates in regional metro counties and cities and State of Ohio metro counties and cities. The information does not reflect school property taxes, state income tax or federal income tax rates. Information is current as of 9/9/19.   
For more information, please contact the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy & Public Policy Department at 419-243-8191.  

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