Council President Blaine Griffin is turning to labor unions to help defeat the proposed charter amendment that would bring participatory budgeting to Cleveland.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comCLEVELAND, Ohio – Several of Cleveland’s major labor organizations have come out against the proposed People’s Budget charter amendment that would allow residents to directly decide how to spend a portion of the city’s annual budget.
Mayor Justin Bibb and Council President Blaine Griffin, among other city leaders, oppose the amendment, in part, because they say it could force cuts to critical city services, such as the safety forces.The Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, which represents rank-and-file officers, said in a City Council news release on Wednesday that the People’s Budget, if passed, would “take more officers off of the streets” in the face of an ongoing police shortage of more than 250 officers.
Other groups that came out against the People’s Budget on Wednesday afternoon were the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, which represents higher-ranking officers, the Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees, which represents EMS workers, and the International Association of Firefighters Local 93, which represents firefighters.The EMS union raised concerns about potential cuts to city services.
And last week, the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council, which is an umbrella organization for 29 Northeast Ohio unions, voiced opposition. Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski said in a release that participatory budgeting may sound like a good or progressive idea, but it’s not. Council President Blaine Griffin has been urging labor unions to oppose the People’s Budget amendment in hopes of routing it at the ballot box. Council spokesman Darryle Torbert said that strategy is somewhat a reaction to the Issue 24 police-reform ballot initiative that voters passed in 2021.
Bibb may have been on board with using one-time federal money for the idea. But he balked at the charter amendment, in part because it would tap locally generated tax money that is used for everyday city services.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
City of East Cleveland to discuss state investigation of Mayor, HR Director during council meetingEast Cleveland Mayor to discuss State investigation during council meeting.
Read more »
McKinney City Council adopts $849 million total budget for fiscal year 2024The budget includes $202.6 million in the general fund and a decrease in the city’s property tax rate by 3 cents.
Read more »
Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones gets heartwarming surprise during meet and greetDuring a special event to celebrate the partnership, one Browns player got an extra special surprise.
Read more »
Council Post: Solving Manufacturing Labor Shortages Through Digital TransformationThe manufacturing industry is grappling with a notable labor shortage.
Read more »
MLB Twins vs Guardians Box Score - Sep 04, 2023Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Guardians MLB game box score for Sep 04, 2023.
Read more »