Half Vote Counted, Tax Increase Maintains Lead

12:00AM

August 4, 2009

by Mike Thompson

WOSU Director of News and Public Affairs

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With about half of the precincts reporting, the yes votes for the Columbus income tax maintained a lead over the no votes.

With 261 out of 528 precincts reporting, the votes for the income tax increase totaled 24,612 (54%) while votes against the increase totaled 21,331 (46%).

If approved the measure would raise the Columbus income tax by 25% from 2.0% to 2.5%. City officials say it will help erase a $115 million budget deficit and prevent the layoffs of hundreds of police officers and fire fighters.

In the Southwestern City School District, the levy trailed by about 1,000 votes with 1/2 of the precincts reporting.