COSE Announces Opposition to Issue 3

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) today announced its opposition to Issue 3, a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would inhibit the free speech of Ohio business owners and regular citizens.

“Issue 3 empowers labor unions at the expense of businesses,” said Jeanne Coughlin, President of The Coughlin Group and chairman of COSE. “Our Board is opposed to the passage of Issue 3 because of the limits it would place on the ability of businesses and ordinary citizens to participate in the political process.”

Issue 3 was placed on the November 8 statewide ballot by organized labor and special interest groups to ensure that some groups have an unfair advantage in funding political candidates. Issue 3 goes beyond placing arbitrary limits on campaign contributions. Passage of Issue 3 would amend Ohio's Constitution to allow a labor union to contribute 10 times more to a candidate than an individual or the political action committee of an Ohio employer. Organized labor from all over the nation would be permitted to steer significantly unfair amounts of union dues into the Ohio political process without having to provide full disclosure.

The resolution approved by the COSE Board states:

Be it resolved, the COSE Board does not support Issue 3: Campaign Finance Limitations. Although we agree that our system is not perfect, we do not favor giving labor unions and the wealthy the upper hand while diminishing the rights of the average Ohioan. The passage of Issue 3 will only cause more disparities. COSE strongly urges a "no" vote for Issue 3.

Although not taking a formal position about the ballot issues that do not have a direct impact on small business, the COSE Board also expressed concern about Issue 2: early voting; Issue 4: redistricting and reappointment; and Issue 5: independent election administration—all advocated by Reform Ohio Now (RON)--because they will continue to drive a wedge between the two political parties and not address the real problems of the political process or the election system.

COSE, the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, serves as a one-stop resource for its members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; education and development programs for small- and mid-sized businesses; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns.

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