Blackwell's TEL Amendment to File for November 2006 Ballot

Blackwell's TEL Amendment to File for November 2006 Ballot

After Talks with Legislators and GOP Chair Bennett;
“Issue Deserves Greatest Possible Debate,” says Blackwell

Monday, August 08, 2005

By: Gene Pierce

(Columbus, August 8, 2005) Citizens for Tax Reform today announced it will file its petitions to place a constitutional amendment to limit government spending on the November 2006 General Election ballot. The committee now intends to file its Tax Expenditure Limitation (TEL) Amendment petitions August 11, 2005, by-passing the August 10 deadline for this November’s ballot.

"After consultation with legislative leadership, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett and TEL supporters, the committee decided this issue deserves the widest possible exposure and debate," said Citizens for Tax Reform Honorary Chairman, Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. "The 2006 General Election ballot gives Ohio voters that opportunity.”

"I intend to be the GOP nominee for Governor and expect this amendment to be a major element of my platform of fiscal restraint for government and job creation for the private sector," said Blackwell.

Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett added, “I applaud Ken Blackwell’s leadership on this issue, and his decision to move the proposed amendment to the gubernatorial ballot is a service to the voters of Ohio. It gives Ohioans an opportunity to hear substantive debate on a major policy initiative before making a decision that impacts all of state government.

“This gesture by Secretary Blackwell will allow us to focus our resources this year on defeating the special interest amendments being pushed by pro-Democrat unions and liberal activist groups.”

Citizens for Tax Reform will submit more than 500,000 signatures and will exceed county distribution thresholds in 69 of Ohio's 88 counties. State law requires 322,899 valid signatures for a constitutional amendment, reaching qualifying thresholds in 44 counties.

###