The Cincinnatus Association - Articles - Government

Ballot Initiatives

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:51:10 PST

Association Voting Results
At its monthly meeting on Tuesday 10/11, the Cincinnatus Association voted overwhelmingly to endorse three tax levies on the ballot this November.

> Issue 37, the Indigent Care levy, funds health and hospitalization services for the working poor at the University and Children's hospitals, plus other County medical care expenses (for example, for inmates).
> Issue 38, the Children's Services levy, funds mandated services to protect our County's children from abuse and neglect.
          These issues have had strong public support in the past and this passage will not increase
          the tax burdens on County property owners. The Association has endorsed prior such
          levies and strongly urges the voters to approve them again.

> Issue 32, the CPS Capital Funds levy, to provide funds for technology, textbooks and building maintenance, would be a permanent levy which increases a $100,000-homeowner's taxes by $243 per year.
          Historically, CPS school levies have had strong public support. The Association has
          endorsed prior such levies and strongly urges the voters to approve this levy.   [Posted 10/12/11]

_________________________________________________

At the October dinner meeting, each of the following issues will be discussed by members, after which eligible members will vote to determine if the Association will issue public endorsement of the issue. Each link below will provide the Panel's summary of each issue. [Posted 10/3/11]

     > Issue 32: CPS Levy
     > Issue 37: Indigent Medical Care
     > Issue 38: Children's Services
________________________________________________

The Excellence in Government Panel also provides the following information on additional ballot issues - click the highlighted title for an overview of the issue. [Posted 10/24/11]

Issue 2 (Ohio): To repeal legislation that limits collective bargaining for public employees in Ohio. At the last meeting, the Government Panel presented a debate on this Issue. Members can find additional information at the websites of supporters of Issue 2 (www.betterohio.org) and opponents of Issue 2 (www.weareohio.com).

Issue 3 (Ohio): The measure calls for exempting Ohio residents from national health care mandates (). The Government Panel wants to alert members to the ongoing debate on this Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment which, if approved, amends the Ohio Constitution to say that the State of Ohio cannot (1) force individuals to participate in a healthcare system, (2) prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or healthcare insurance, or (3) impose a fine or penalty for such purchase or sale. Its supporters say that it is needed to protect Ohioans from government interference with individuals' health care decisions and to bolster court challenges to the federal Affordable Care Act (). Opponents say that the amendment has nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act, as only the U.S. Supreme Court can decide its fate, but could do a lot of damage to the ability of state and local governments to provide and regulate health care in Ohio.
     On October 6, Jack Painter, a member of Cincinnatus Association and Board member of the Ohio Liberty Council, participated in a debate on Issue 3 on a National Public Radio program originating from Cleveland. Jack argued in favor of Issue 3, and his opponent, Janetta King of Innovation Ohio (a progressive group located in Columbus) argued against it. Click here to listen to this very interesting debate.

     > Anti-Issue 3 Materials:   Owens-Hayes Letter   . 1851 Center Essay   .   OFHF Information Booklet   .   Innovation Ohio Essay   .   Innovation Ohio Report   .

    > Pro-Issue 3 Materials:   OpEd by Jack Painter   .   OLC Issue 3 Fact Sheet   .   OLC Response to Innovation Ohio   .   Ohio.com Editorial

Issue 46 (Cincinnati): Proposes to eliminate part of the Cincinnati Campaign Finance Reform Charter Amendment that was passed by voters in 2001. Read the Common Cause/Ohio press release (Cincinnatus member Bill Woods) providing some reasonswhy this might undermine the transparency goal of that Amendment.

WHO ARE WE? Demography Forum 12/1/2011

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:43:23 PST

United Way and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cincinnati Branch, have joined together to present a major forum on our region's changing demographics on Thursday, December 1st, at 2:00 p.m. at United Way's Fifth Third Convening Center. This free event is called Who Are We?, and is designed to provide leaders of charitable and civic sector organizations with a strategic view of our region's changing demographics and what they mean for the achievement of our community's Bold Goals in the areas of Education, Income and Health. It is co-sponsored by Agenda 360 and Vision 2015. Please read the event invitation for more information on the event. [Posted 11/14/11]

What's Your Green Umbrella?

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:28:44 PST

The Office of Environmental Quality in partnership with Green Umbrella, the emerging regional clearinghouse for all things “green” in Greater Cincinnati, have launched the What’s Your Green Umbrella campaign. The cornerstone of this campaign is an interactive website (www.WhatsYourGreenUmbrella.org ) that allows people to track their impact on saving energy and money. Participants can also affiliate with groups (including Cincinnatus Association) to engage in some friendly competition and are also eligible for a chance to win a lifetime membership to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens (a $4500 value). With all the green things we do, Cincinnatus can become one of the top performing non-profits in this effort. Everyone is encouraged to register at www.WhatsYourGreenUmbrella.org , log your green actions, and join the Cincinnatus Association group (listed under non-profits). [Posted 11/14/11]

Ohio Redistricting Forum - Thu. 9/8/11

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:31:16 PDT

Cincinnatus Association is one of the co-sponsors for the OHIO REDISTRICTING FORUM at Hebrew Union College on Thu., 9/8 at 6pm. All Cincinnatus members and guests are invited and encouraged to attend. ALICIA REECE (State Representative, D-Cincinnati), ANN HENKENER (Legislative Director & Board Member, League of Women Voters), GREF RABIDOUX (Fair Districts Director, Common Cause). Information Flyer Press Release
For many, the reality of redistricting and reapportionment has become synonymous with partisan gerrymandering. But are there alternatives? Join us as we highlight potential opportunities and threats in the 2011 Ohio redistricting process, showcase maps from the Draw the Line Ohio Redistricting Competition and set the stage for future redistricting reform efforts. [posted 9/2/11]

Streetcar Charter Amendment - Proposed Association Resolution

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 09:15:55 PDT

A petition is in process which, if enough valid signatures are collected, will lead to a vote in November 2011 on a Charter amendment. A similar Charter amendment was presented two years ago which lost by about 12% in the voting. The key difference is that the earlier amendment banned all expenditures on rail transportation improvements in perpetuity while the newly proposed ban would expire in nine years.
The Excellence in Government Panel proposes a resolution opposing the Charter amendment. Attached is an informational write-up [click link to view] and an Association Endorsement ballot for action at next Tuesday's member meeting. Please take a few minutes prior to that meeting to review and consider the material, the proposed Charter amendment and the proposed Association resolution so that we're able to facilitate a full, but succinct discussion prior to voting on the Association resolution. [Posted 6/11/11]

LWV Events

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:31:18 PDT

The League of Women Voters and some of our other "Rookwood Five" colleagues put on public forums from time to time, just as Cincinnatus Association does. The League of Women Voters is sponsoring two events which should be of interest to Cincinnatus members and friends. Click on the title links for additional information, or go directly to the LWV website to see all of their events and make reservations.

3/28/11 - Dinner with the League
featuring Mark Godsey, Director & Co-Founder of the Ohio Innocence Project

5/3/11 - Housing Options for People with Mental Disabilities
A Public Informational Forum [posted 3/17/11]

Cincinnatus Cosponsors Juvenile Justice Discussion

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:56:17 PST

Rethinking the JUVENILE in Juvenile Justice
A Panel Discussion (click title for flyer)
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 7:30pm
Isaac M. Wise Temple, Amberly Village

Cincinnatus Association is one of the cosponsors of this important and informative discussion. The program is free and open to the public. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. [Posted 2/24/2011]

Regional Indicators Report Forum

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:57:36 PST

As a region, we are constantly engaged in competition with other areas of the country and the world for people and jobs. Like any team or business, to remain competitive, we must know where we stand and what improvements are needed. That is what the Regional Indicators Report is all about. Vision 2015 and Agenda 360 have developed 15 leading indicators of economic health and we’ve compared our regional results to 11 others, including Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Austin. When we assemble the indicators in an index of where we stand today, we rank 10th out of 12 regions. This is simply not acceptable. Click here to view the full report. [posted 9/29]

Congressional Candidate Debates

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 05:53:48 PDT

You can watch these debates on WCPO if you wish. But if you prefer to see it live, the Cincinnatus Association is one of the sponsors, and so we can get you a seat close to the action. However, the number of seats is limited, and you will need to make a reservation.

First District Debate (click for debate flyer)
   Steve Driehaus and Steve Chabot
   8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
   CPS School for Creative & Performing Arts
For reservations for this debate, contact Mark Silbersack no later than October 12th at 513-977-8243 or Mark.Silbersack@dinslaw.com.

Second District Debate (click for debate flyer)
   Jean Schmidt and Surya Yalamanchili
7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
     Glen Este Performing Arts Center
For reservations for this debate, contact Stephanie Stoller no later than October 18th at 513-793-1855 or Steph@covap.com. [posted 10/6/10]

WCC "Innovations in Voting" Forum on Oct. 20th

no@spam.com (Roger Smith) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:23:04 PDT

Just in time for this election season, the Woman's City Club is presenting an expert panel on innovative voting methods that endeavor to overcome low voter turnout and inequalities in the exercise of the citizen's right to vote. All Cincinnatus members are invited and encouraged to attend.
     INNOVATIONS IN VOTING     Flyer     Press Release
     7:00pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
     Schiff Family Conference Center
          Cintas Center at Xavier University
          1624 Herald Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45207          [posted 10/8/10]