Ohioans Demand Voice in Big Decisions | Cleveland News

Ohioans are furious their voices aren’t heard on big local decisions like data centers and housing developments, stuck with a near-impossible 35% signature hurdle to force public votes. State Rep. Ty Matthews is pushing House Bill 985 to lower that threshold to 20%, inspired by his hometown’s failed fight against a massive housing project. As frustration grows across the state—from Cleveland to rural towns—citizens are rallying to reclaim power from elected officials. Though the bill faces long odds in a legislature wary of empowering voters, Matthews plans to keep pushing it, attaching it to other bills or bringing it back next year. This isn’t just about one bill—it’s a statewide cry for accountability. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1305b5e45d01fa80