League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 7, 2000 Election
	Bob Bedinghaus Answers Questions Candidate for Commissioner; County of Hamilton; 4 Year Term Starting 1/2/01

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What role should Hamilton County Commissioners play in establishing a regional transportation system?

Hamilton County should be a participant in discussions concerning regional transportation issues. Other participants need to include Clermont, Butler, and Warren Counties in Ohio and Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties in Kentucky, as well as the City of Cincinnati. At this point, I believe more study is required before we jump into a specific light rail plan. Expanded bus services must be a component so as to allow a seamless transportation system throughout the region.

2. How would a county comprehensive long-range plan benefit county citizens?

The Hamilton County Commissioners have initiated the Planning Partnership through the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission. This effort will encourage truly regional planning on many levels. This process will recognize that "regional planning" does not stop at political borders within Hamilton County. This process also goes beyond typical planning issues and gets to other important issues like linking transportation, land use, and environmental issues all in the same review.

3. How would you expand the role/funding of the Tax Levy review Committee in include more careful monitoring of levy funds?

The Tax Levy Review Committee, a committee I established in 1995 , provides an outside review of all tax levy requests. This committee has evolved since 1995 to include a review of the request by an outside firm (paid by the requesting agency). I continue to support this approach to tax levy requests and am open to any recommendations to strengthen the process.