LEAGUES OF WOMEN VOTERS ENDORSE THREE COUNTYWIDE LEVIES ON NOV. 7 BALLOT

The League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County and the League of Women Voters of Kent have endorsed the three countywide issues on the Nov. 7 General Election ballot, citing the benefits to the health and well-being of all county residents.

The countywide levies are: Issue 29, a a 10-year, 2.9-mill renewal tax levy for the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Issue 30, a 10-year, 1-mill replacement tax levy for the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County; and Issue 31, a 1-mill, 10-year levy, comprised of a ½ mill replacement and ½ mill additional property tax for the Portage Park District.

Leagues have positions on issues affecting their communities based on research, study and discussion with local agencies and policy makers. The Kent and Northern Portage leagues endorsed the DD and MHRB levies based on positions that support health care, education, early intervention for children at risk and equality and equity of services. The county boards operate with tax levy dollars along with seeking grants and other outside funding, aspects that the Leagues support through positions.

Both Leagues recently updated a countywide position on the development and sustainability of local parks that emphasizes physical and economic access for all. The position also supports seeking grants and external funding.

The boards of the two local leagues determined that the park organization has shown definitive results for: acquiring additional external funds to supplement local tax dollars, increasing accessible trails and facilities; and providing free programming for all ages. The Leagues also favor the environmentally sound operation demonstrated by the park district that preserves the county’s natural heritage of plants and wildlife and benefits human health.

To learn more about the levies, you can go online to vote411.org or access the downloadable LWV Voters Guide at https://my.lwv.org/ohio/kent/vote411voters-guide. Printed Voters Guides will be available at locations around the county. You can find that list here: https://my.lwv.org/ohio/kent/where-find-nov-7-2023-voters-guide.

The League of Women Voters is a national, nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government through education and advocacy and does not support or oppose political candidates or parties. The League is committed to the core values of diversity, equity and inclusion.