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Cleveland voters in favor of tax issues for education, public safety

Posted at 6:05 AM, Nov 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-09 09:01:14-05

Cleveland voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to determine two tax issues that benefit education and public safety, while a city just a stone's throw away decided the fate of a local hospital. 

Voters were in favor of Issue 108, which renews a tax levy for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The tax levy was supported by a more than a two to one margin.

Cleveland voters also passed a tax increase that appeared on Tuesday's ballot. The passage of Issue 32 is a half percent tax increase that applies to residents and anyone who works in the city. It is projected to help generate more than $80 million a year for the city's police department, maintenance and equipment. 

The vote was the first time Cleveland increased its income tax in 35 years. For context, a person making an income of $50,000 a year would cost $250 a year. 

Issue 64 was a hot topic for Lakewood voters. Residents were in favor of the issue and decided to pass it, allowing the Cleveland Clinic to move ahead with its plans to replace the hospital with an outpatient health center and emergency room.