Community Update

Last Tuesday, election day, was a great day for Cleveland
Heights.  The voters of this City have
said they’re tired of not being heard, of politicians spending their time
chasing big corporate donors and working for them instead of us. They said it's
time to go beyond apathy and cynicism and do something to fight back.

By an overwhelming 77%, the voters passed Issue 32, an
ordinance entitled “Political Influence by Corporate Entities.” It directs the
clerk of council to communicate to our federal and state elected officials that
Cleveland Heights voters want a constitutional amendment ending corporate
personhood, taking back constitutional rights meant only for real people, and
overturning the legal doctrine that money equals speech.,

With this vote, Cleveland Heights has joined over 500
communities and states that have already passed similar resolutions or
ordinances as part of the national grassroots Move to Amend campaign. In our
area, Brecksville and Newburg Heights passed similar ballot measures last year
and in Defiance, Ohio on Tuesday. City Councils in City Councils in Athens,
Oberlin, Barberton and Fremont have passed similar council resolutions. Petition
drives are underway in several other Ohio municipalities.

The Cleveland Heights ordinance also establishes an
annual public hearing before City Council each January to examine the impact of
political influence by corporate entities and big money in elections. The City
will publicize the time and date of the hearing. Plan to be there in
January!