GCP backs reform proposal calling for county executive

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Business leaders also endorse State Issue 3 in favor of casinos and Issue 4, the Tri-C levy

Cleveland, Ohio—The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) today announced that it is endorsing November ballot issues that call for the immediate adoption of a home rule charter form of government for Cuyahoga County government and State Issue 3, the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan that would establish casinos in Cleveland and three other cities. The GCP is supporting passage of a 1.9 mill levy for Cuyahoga Community College.

“The GCP has carefully studied each of these issues and determined that their passage is important for the future of our city, our county and our region,” said Henry L. Meyer III, chairman of the GCP Board of Directors, who is also chairman and CEO of KeyCorp. “We believe that passage of these issues would yield significant dividends for area businesses and residents alike.”

The decision to support all three measures was approved Thursday by the GCP Board of Directors.

Joe Roman, president and CEO of the GCP, said: “The reform plan that would install a single county executive, eliminate other elected county offices and establish a representative county council makes total sense for Cuyahoga County. This proposed new government structure seems much more attuned to the 21st century than the outdated system we have now.

“A more efficient government and a renewed emphasis on economic development will help the business community create jobs for greater Clevelanders and better position the region for growth,” he added.

Roman said the Board’s decision also contemplated the fact that the reform proposal was built upon multiple studies, all of which were uniform in their call for a single elected county executive. The GCP Board also chose to oppose the competing proposal that would create a Charter Review Commission.

The GCP intends to actively advocate on behalf of the adoption of a county charter by encouraging fundraising support from its member companies, educating employees of member companies and building public awareness about the details of the proposal.

The GCP Board, in its endorsement, attached a condition that there be specific efforts to educate Cuyahoga County voters on the benefits of the charter proposal to minority residents and businesses. Discussions with campaign leaders indicate that addressing the issue will be a high priority.

Issue 3 – Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan

The GCP Board similarly announced today that it is supporting passage of State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would bring casino gambling to Ohio. With the state poised to install video lottery terminals (slot machines) at Ohio racetracks—including two in Cleveland suburbs—Roman said the Board agreed it made little sense to exclude downtown Cleveland from having a casino.

“The GCP has worked long and hard, alongside many others, to rebuild and revitalize downtown Cleveland as a growth strategy,” Roman said, likening the so-called “racinos” (suburban racetracks with slot machines) to having built Progressive Field located somewhere along I-271.

“This debate is no longer about bringing gaming to Ohio,” Roman continued. “It’s about advancing the proposal with the most economic potential. Adding slot machines to racetracks will not have nearly the level of job creation or capital investment that casinos will.

“Further, to allow gambling 20 miles away, on the outskirts of Cleveland—without a downtown option—is misguided and a threat to the core city, which is the heart of the entire region,” he added.

Issue 3 has tremendous upside for the community, including creating several thousand local jobs, creating in excess of $400 million in capital investment and several thousand construction jobs, and millions in revenues for the local community.

Roman cited projections from Issue 3 supporters estimating that a Cleveland casino would generate $71 million annually in tax revenues for Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland schools.

Cuyahoga Community College Levy Proposal

The GCP Board also supported passage of a 10-year, 1.9 mill levy for Cuyahoga Community college.

Enrollment at the college is up a staggering 16 percent, an increase largely resulting from the large numbers of dislocated workers and veterans in the job market who are looking to be retrained. Tri-C has not increased its tuition in three years to keep education affordable for area residents.

“Education costs are higher while a large and increasing segment of Greater Cleveland’s population is looking for retraining,” Roman said. “The GCP has been a longtime supporter of Tri-C as it plays a critical role in workforce development, and it needs this community’s support now more than ever to help retrain and educate our high school graduates and increasing number of displaced workers and veterans.”

As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region.

 

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