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Cincinnati parking lease heads back to court

WVXU

A Hamilton County Judge will hear arguments Friday morning before deciding whether to issue a permanent injunction that would prevent Cincinnati from moving forward with a parking lease Council approved last week. 
 
Judge Robert Winkler issued a temporary restraining order just minutes after the council vote.
 
A group of citizens filed the complaint because they want to give voters a chance to say yes or no on the parking lease.  Their attorney arguesthe city charter gives them that right even if Council passes an emergency ordinance, which is designed to take effect immediately. 
 
Thecity argues that emergency provision would block a voter referendum. 
 
The judge could issue a ruling Friday, but more likely he'll provide a written opinion later. 
 
The losing side is then expected to appeal and the case could ultimately end up in front of the Ohio Supreme Court. 
 
The parking lease planwould provide the city with nearly $92 million by the end of June and a portion of that money would be used to balance the budget which must be in-place by July 1st. 
 
The remainder of the funds would be used to launch several economic development projects to grow the city's tax-base.

Jay Hanselman brings more than 10 years experience as a news anchor and reporter to 91.7 WVXU. He came to WVXU from WNKU, where he hosted the local broadcast of All Things Considered. Hanselman has been recognized for his reporting by the Kentucky AP Broadcasters Association, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and the Ohio AP Broadcasters.