Finkbeiner, Ford join to oppose Issue 2

10/5/2011

Former Toledo mayors Jack Ford and Carty Finkbeiner, once political opponents, will team up Thursday to urge voter opposition to Issue 2. A news conference is set for 2:30 p.m. at Government Center in downtown.

They differ from Mayor Mike Bell, a political independent, who has endorsed Issue 2.

The two ex-mayors contend that Senate Bill 5 is an attack on the middle class that hurts the city and threatens the safety of its citizens. Mayor Bell has said the bill, which would curtail collective bargaining rights for public employee unions, is needed for governments grappling with flat or declining tax revenues.

Issue 2 is a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot to repeal Senate Bill 5, enacted earlier this year by Republicans in Columbus. Passage of Issue 2 would enact S.B. 5 into law. Voting is already under way at the Lucas County Board of Elections early vote center at 1302 Washington St. and by mail-in absentee ballot.

Mr. Ford was mayor from 2002 to 2006. His re-election bid was defeated by Mr. Finkbeiner who did not seek re-election in 2009. Both are Democrats.