COLUMBUS, Ohio — While the state will vote on Issue 1, many central Ohioans also have an additional measure on their ballot: Issue 47. 

Issue 47 is a sales tax levy aimed at supporting the Central Ohio Transit Authority. 

If approved by voters, it would increase the COTA sales tax in all service areas from .5% to 1%. The funds would support LinkUS and replace a temporary sales tax that will expire in 2026. 

LinkUS is a $2 billion transportation and growth plan, which was created by COTA, the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. If the sales tax is approved, it’ll help fund a new public transit system as well as more than 150 miles of bike paths, trails and sidewalks, according to the city. 

Along with more paths, the plan also includes a bus-based transit system that’ll implement three bus rapid transit corridors. Right now, they’re proposed to be on West Broad Street, East Main Street and Northwest.  

The plan also would create dedicated bus lanes, more bus capacity and update traffic signals.

If the issue is voted down, taxes will stay the same.