(The Center Square) – The Ohio General Assembly is moving quickly to try to stop a plan that would allow Cleveland voters to decide how part of the city’s budget would be spent.
Senate Bill 158 already passed the Senate despite strong opposition committee testimony and now sits in the House as the November general election moves closer.
At the polls, Cleveland voters will decide on a charter amendment allowing residents to determine how 2% of the city budget is spent, and proponents say that gives people power over how money is spent in their neighborhoods.
The bill, which passed the Senate on a 25-6 vote, would guarantee a local city council would maintain control over its entire budget and protect its appropriation power.
It also contains an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately if signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine.
“Senate Bill 158 simply protects the budgeting powers of municipalities across Ohio by reinforcing their statutory authority to make financial decisions,” said Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland. “Council members are the duly elected representatives of their city. It is their duty and responsibility under the law to appropriate city funds to care for the safety and security of their fellow residents.”
Issue 38 on the local ballot in Cleveland in November would give a citizen board control of roughly $14 million in taxpayer dollars in the city.
Proponents say the “People’s Budget” increases democracy and moves neighborhood decisions to people who are neighborhood experts – the residents. According to the proposed charter amendment, it would be governed by a 10-member steering committee appointed by the mayor and City Council. Committee members would serve up to two two-year terms.
They also say the issue should be decided in Cleveland, not Columbus.
“This is a Cleveland-based initiative that is designed to protect a small amount of money from Cleveland’s calcified political machine and ensure that the needs and expertise of ordinary Clevelanders are respected,” Evan O’Reilly, an organizer with Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equity, testified before the Senate. “Clevelanders should have the right to decide for themselves if this is the correct path forward for our city.”
Others, like Greg Lawson with The Buckeye Institute, said a People’s Budget undermines accountability and oversight.
He testified, “The bill protects local taxpayers from unaccountable, unelected boards proposing risky, under-vetted spending projects. And the bill applies to all municipalities statewide, keeping similar spending schemes from popping up all across Ohio.”
The bill awaits hearings in the House.
