Todd Portune Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Detail policies/proposals you would advance and support to increase and improve the city's housing stock, as well as the rate of home ownership in the city of Cincinnati?

I propose a 10-20 year plan to construct new housing in each neighborhood in the city. We should formalize a long-term relationship with homebuilders to construct new and to convert existing rental into home-ownership opportunities. The city can use its financial strength to encourage greater loan opportunities to new home purchases and we should modify our tax policies to encourage home ownership. Concentrating on improving our streets and highways will help encourage investment in ownership.

2. Would you move to advance or halt regional approaches to the following: public transportation, Arts council(s), management of snow removal, air quality, and water quality?

I support regional approached to multiple issues which know no political boundaries but done in a way to enhance and support the policies of the city. Transportation, for example, should move toward a regional multi-model system that is regionally funded. Environmental issues such as Mill Creek restoration and water quality deserve a regional approach based upon the water table. Issues of stormwater management should be broadened to identify regional solutions

3. Should the Cincinnati Convention Center be expanded? If so, how should the expansion be funded?

I support expanding the Sabin Convention Center as one of several components necessary to rebuild the city. The city should expand the center because of its positive impact on business and job creation. We should insist, however, that all building be done with responsible contractor language and develop the project parameters that link the contracts to poverty, joblessness and unemployment eradication. Funding will come from bonds issues as a part of the rebuild Cincinnati plan- a 10 year investment in infrastructure, housing, industrial site development, transportation and economic empowerment fund.