The Citizens' Grassroots Congress Agenda
Report for 2008
Introduction:
The 2007 Citizens’ Grassroots Congress met for an all-day
session on October 20, 2007 at the Central Ohio Green Education Fund office,
1000 East Main Street, to propose a grassroots agenda for central Ohio. The
Congress was sponsored by: the Central Ohio Green Education Fund, Pastors for
Peace, Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism/Free Press, and the
Central Ohio Sierra Club. The event brought together 30 individuals, affiliated
with at least 17 community organizations. Members of the Grassroots Congress
plan to release the final report to the media, elected officials and public in
January 2008. Members of the Citizens Grassroots Congress hope to make the event
an annual gathering.
Many of the proposals passed at the 2007 Citizens
Grassroots Congress are already being implemented in other municipalities
throughout the nation. While the following proposals may seem visionary to some
in central Ohio, it is better to think of them as a new, a much-needed practical
realism.
To get involved, go to: http://cgcongress.org.
The Citizens Grassroots
Congress is a project of the
Central Ohio Green Education
Fund
Board Members
Bob Fitrakis
Gregory Gross
Joe Keehner
Doug Todd
Rick Wilhelm
with assistance from
Suzanne Patzer
Nick Petruzella
The Central Ohio Green Education Fund is a member of:
Affiliated
Organizations:
American Holistic Practioner
Association
Central Ohioans for Peace
The Central Ohio Green Education
Fund
The Central Ohio Green Party
The Central Ohio Sierra Club
Columbus Institute for
Contemporary Journalism/ Free Press
Citizens Intent on Reforming
Corporate Accountability (CIRCA)
Citizens United for the
Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-OHIO)
The Community Organizing Center
The Democratic Socialists of
Central Ohio
Free Geek Columbus
Columbus Jobs with Justice
The Ohio Conference on Fair Trade
The Ohio Empowerment Coalition
Ohio Honest Elections
Pastors for Peace
Simply Living
Single-Payer Action Network
(SPAN-OHIO)
Spirit Tree
Sustainable Westerville
Veterans
and Military Families for Peace
2007 Citizen’s Grassroots Congress Resolutions
Peace and Nonviolence
Grassroots Democracy
¨
Making Voting Easier for
Voters
Sustainability and the Environment
¨
Redevelopment of the City Center Mall
¨ Regional Mass Transit Plan for Columbus and Central Ohio
¨ Think Globally, Act Locally, But Plan Regionally
¨
Cool Counties in Central
Ohio
¨ Alum Creek survey and funding for cleanup
Social and Economic Justice
¨ Ending Taxpayer Support for Sweatshops
¨ Anti-Patriot Act/Bill of Rights Defense proposal
¨ Columbus City Council Reform
¨ Living wage for all Ohio workers
Peace and Nonviolence Resolutions
Columbus “City for Peace” Resolution
A
resolution of support for the U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq, as well as
those who have previously served, and those that have been killed or wounded
during such service, and their families; expressing concern for the hundreds of
thousands of Iraqi civilians who have been killed or wounded in that country and
the millions who are now internal or external refugees; further calling for the
leaders in this country to defund the war and make the problems of our cities a
priority and further calling for an immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq.
Whereas,
the United Nations and the international community as a whole support peaceful
resolutions to international disputes, as evidenced by the hundreds of similar
resolutions supported by communities around the U.S.; therefore we should
declare peace a civil right in a democracy and a human right in the world; and
Whereas,
the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress supports the brave men and women deployed
in Iraq, honors the memory of those who have lost their lives in the war and
those who have been wounded, and supports their loved ones; and
Whereas,
the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress is concerned about the hundreds of
thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians who have been killed and wounded as well
as the millions of internal displaced citizens and Iraqi refugees who have fled
their country; and
Whereas,
the financial cost of the war is half a trillion dollars, with the cost to
Ohioans at 16 billion dollars, $1 billion in the 12th Congressional, $947
million for the15th and $933 million in the 7th
Congressional district, resulting in a division of funds that has deeply
impacted American cities’ abilities to fund human services such as health
care, housing, and recreation, and for failing infrastructures; and
Whereas,
an estimated $100 billion of the U.S. government’s $500 billion in defense
funds has now been privatized, and certain corporations, as shown by the recent
actions of Blackwater Corporation, have been linked to human rights violations
in Iraq and are not subject to the uniform code of military conduct; and
Whereas,
the City of Columbus’ elected officials have a duty to act on behalf and in
the best interest of the citizens of Columbus and are empowered to make such
resolutions as may be necessary to protect the public interest and for the
preservation of health, welfare, peace, and order; and
Whereas,
the City of Columbus’ elected officials, community leaders, and citizens have
a responsibility to highlight the implications of continuing the war in Iraq
with a resulting reduction on available federal resources critically needed for
our community’s most vulnerable persons:
Be it Resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress requests that the Columbus City Council declare the City of Columbus a “City for Peace.”
Whereas,
the votes sufficient to convict Richard Nixon of high crimes and misdemeanors
did not emerge until the course of proceedings investigating the Nixon White
House, carried on in concert with the criminal investigation in Federal District
Court of the Watergate burglars, publicly revealed White House involvement in
the cover-up of the Watergate burglary; and
Whereas, the survival of the Republican Party is as much at stake as that of the two-party system
in
providing a vehicle for congressional Republicans to do their duty to their
country under the Constitution by developing a willingness to impeach Bush and
Cheney based upon the facts and the rule of law, and thus separate their party
from the criminal elements that have infiltrated its leadership. Without
impeachment of Bush and Cheney, Republicans may have to wait years for the
emergence of a leader strong enough and courageous enough to make the needed
break with the Bush-Cheney-Rove administration; and
Whereas,
the Iraq war from Karl Rove’s perspective was a re-election prop. And, since
the 2004 election, Rove used it as a trump card to play with Kerry, the
Democratic Party and political journalists against the overwhelming evidence of
fraud in the 2004 presidential election; and
Whereas, keeping the responsibility with United States alone, as if the United States can afford to
be
the policeman of the world, is part of the strategy for keeping Bush and Cheney
from being impeached; and
Whereas,
we have no more need to stay in Iraq than we do to keep Bush and Cheney in
office. Indeed, in order to preserve the rule of law and restore the progress of
civilization we must proceed to remove Bush and Cheney from office and ourselves
from Iraq, except as our participation may be required under the auspices of the
United Nations. The continuation of Bush-Cheney in exercise of the full powers
of their offices presents is an effective barrier to addressing both their theft
of office and breach of the UN Charter; therefore,
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress supports the resolution that Bush and Cheney be impeached and the United States defer to the United Nations to coordinate all international assistance, including that of the United States, to Iraq in regaining its independence.
Resolution
for an Ohio Constitutional Amendment that would limit the involvement of any
unit of the Ohio National Guard in any future overseas deployments.
Whereas
the Governor is to provide trained units and equipment capable of protecting
life and property and preserving peace, order, and public safety; and
Whereas
because of the strains put on the National Guard by its heavy involvement in
wars overseas, the National Guard in Ohio and across the country is at
shockingly low levels of readiness, (as the has been shown by The Commission on
the National Guard and Reserves who bluntly stated in a report earlier this
year, “the equipment readiness of the Army National Guard is
unacceptable.”); and
Whereas the current disastrously low levels of readiness “has reduced the capability of the United States to respond to current and additional major contingencies, foreign and domestic” (CNGR Report) and has severely limited the ability of the Ohio National Guard to fulfill its mission of “protecting life and property and preserving peace, order and public safety” were there to be a
catastrophic
statewide disaster. (as has been shown recently in the inability of the Kansas
National Guard to adequately respond to the tornado in Greenburg); and
Whereas
Gov. Strickland has twice asked and President Bush has twice refused to certify
that Ohio National Guard troops who are sent overseas are fully trained and
equipped; and
Whereas the CNGR reports that 90% of National Guard units are not prepared to go to Iraq; and
Whereas
due to their extremely important, valued role as guardians and protectors of
Ohio from all natural and manmade disasters and the highly unpredictable nature
of the need, the Ohio National Guard must have the highest level of readiness
possible to adequately serve its purpose to protest the citizens of Ohio;
therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress endorses an Ohio Constitutional Amendment that would limit the involvement of any unit of the Ohio National Guard in any future overseas deployments without 95% readiness levels remaining the in state, full training and equipment for any troops sent overseas, and a Federal Congressional Declaration of War.
Grassroots Democracy Resolutions
Resolution to Require Audits in Ohio Elections
Be it resolved that independent audit protocols, including at least a three percent random audit, be established with respect to all aspects of Ohio elections.
Resolution to Require Public Funding of Elections
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress supports the City of Columbus, County of Franklin, State of Ohio and the United States establish a system of public funding for their elections.
Resolution to Make Voting Easier for Voters
Be
it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress supports:
1. Automatic voting registration for all Ohioans upon turning age 18
2. Election Day designated as a holiday, and
3.
No purging of voters’ registrations unless voter is deceased.
Resolution to Require Instant Run-off Voting
IRV
is a voting system for single-winner elections that guarantees majority winners
in a single round of voting. IRV allows voters to vote their hopes instead of
their fears by ranking candidates in order of preference without worrying about
spoiler dynamics or wasted votes. IRV also eliminates the need for low-turnout,
high-cost runoffs.
Whereas,
instant runoff voting is a method of electing a single winner. It provides an
alternative to plurality and runoff elections. In a plurality election, the
highest vote getter wins even if s/he receives less than 50% of the vote, and
may even be considered the worst choice by the majority of voters. In a runoff
election, two candidates advance to a runoff if no candidate receives more than
50% in the first round.
Whereas,
voters rank candidates in order of choice: 1, 2, 3 and so on. It takes a
majority to win. If a majority of voters rank a candidate first, that candidate
is elected. If not, the last place candidate is defeated, just as in a runoff
election, and all ballots are counted again, but this time each ballot cast for
the defeated candidate counts for the next ranked candidate listed on the
ballot. The process of eliminating the last place candidate and recounting the
ballots continues until one candidate receives a majority of the vote. Many
jurisdictions do this with a hand count, but with modern voting equipment, all
of the counting and recounting can take place rapidly and automatically.
Whereas,
IRV acts like a series of runoff elections in which one candidate is eliminated
each election. Each time a candidate is eliminated, all voters get to choose
among the remaining candidates. This continues until one candidate receives a
majority of the vote.
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress supports Instant Run-off Voting.
Sustainability and the Environment Resolutions
Redevelopment of the City Center Mall
Be
it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress commits to develop an
organizational model to transfer the City Center mall in a green manner, with
significant citizen participation and leadership, into a community-owned and
operated cultural commons with educational, recreational and social service
venues.
Suggestions for activities:
1. The northern “Yang” Athletic Gymboree to include such things as a skate course, bike park, boxing rings, BB gun range, archery gallery, hitting cages, racquetball courts, badminton courts, basketball half courts, shuffleboard alleys, pool tables, ping-pong tables, air hockey tables, rowing machines, stationary bikes, ropes course, climbing net, climbing wall, and indoor pool — Run by the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and Children’s Hospital
2. The southern “Ying” Cultural Gymboree to include a Columbus Youth City Center Stage for Columbus Junior Choir and Orchestra recitals, Columbus Children’s Theater performances, Columbus youth talent competitions (Le., spelling bees, cheer leading, dancing, singing, musical, etc.), as well teaching studios for ballet and modern dance, martial arts, meditation, yoga, acting, and scholastic tutoring — Run by the YMCA, YWCA, The Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Boys and Girls Club, and Children of America
3. Transform northern food court into a venue for OHIO based food chains
4. Transform southern food court into a venue for independent delis, coffee shops, news and cyber cafes
5. Decorate all interior walls with murals designed by local artists and painted for free — Paint supplies donated by OHIO based Dupont or Dick Blick
6. Renovate the Jacobson’s Annex and transform it into the AnnexxBoutique — To house a cultural bazaar, flea market, and free clinic - Portion of profits from the AnnexxBoutique and “Center Gymboree” goes to help subsidize free clinic - Free Clinic to serve as a intern study program for Children’s Hospital and OSU’s College of Medicine
7. Transform portions of the parking garage into a recycling drop-off point and bike/skate rental facility
8. Build a fountain pond on the green space area out in front of the painted Columbus city skyline (located on the east side of High Street) — Turn pond into a wintertime ice rink
9. Transform painted city skyline into a billboard-type advertisement space to display the painted logos of all the businesses that donate money to help support the creation of the “City Center Gymboree”
Resolution for a Regional Mass Transit Plan
Whereas,
the City of Columbus is the largest city in the nation lacking both light rail
within the city and high-speed rail connecting with other cities;
Whereas,
light rail and high-speed rail are substantially more energy-efficient and
faster ways to move passengers;
Whereas,
fossil fuel shortages with their associated rising prices, and global warming
with its threat of less rainfall to our area, and are demanding efficient,
non-wasteful modes of transportation;
Whereas,
the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Central Ohio Transit
Authority (COTA) are local agencies with resources and expertise capable of
planning sustainable transportation modes;
Whereas,
far too many natural and public resources are being put into unsustainable
highways, streets and roads;
Whereas,
streets, highways and sprawl are eating up farmland, filling in wetlands and
degrading local rivers and streams;
Whereas,
roadbuilding decisions have historically been made through lobbying of the auto,
trucking, roadbuilding, petrochemical, development and other industries as well
as by the US military, all without meaningful public input;
Whereas,
developers will be able to make more secure building plans when mass public
transit corridors are planned and in place, and at the same time more logical
and compact development will follow naturally;
Whereas,
a local light rail system should be integrated with high-speed rail to other
cities, as done in other parts of the country to give Central Ohio residents
fast and easy access to other cities and bring tourists, commuters and others to
Central Ohio; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress calls on the City of Columbus to move with all haste to work with COTA, MORPC, and other jurisdictions and appropriate agencies to develop a comprehensive plan for public transit. Public input must be an integral part of this planning.
Think Globally, Act Locally, But Plan Regionally
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress urges the City of Columbus, along with the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), to continue taking leadership in coordinating regional scale planning. Ideally, this will include a regional master plan based on a multi-county environmental inventory and analysis. Such a plan would identify areas to be left undeveloped for farmland preservation and natural resources conservation and could steer different land uses to “smart growth zones” and areas where any negative impact of development to the environment would be minimized. Such a plan would also include multi-jurisdictional agreements regarding planning tools and issues, such as the shared purchasing of conservation easements, the transfer of development rights, and tax sharing between areas gaining and losing development rights.
Resolution for Cool Counties for Central Ohio
Under the Cool Cities Agreement (and the Cool Counties Agreement incorporates the same principles), cities agree to reduce energy use by 2% per year (normalized for growth and other mitigating factors) as well as the following:
1. Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;
2. Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol — 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and
3. Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.
By
having all the counties surrounding Columbus agree to Cool Counties, the
entire Central Ohio Region will be committed to these goals setting an
example for private citizens, industry and private business.
Whereas,
the City of Columbus has pledged to the Sierra Club Cool Cities campaign and
will be reducing emissions and saving both energy and money; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens’ Grassroots Congress recommends that Franklin County and the surrounding counties of Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, Union and Delaware join the related Cool Counties campaign to achieve similar worthy environmental goals for Central Ohio.
Resolution for “Complete Streets” Program
Whereas,
the City of Columbus has started working enthusiastically on “Complete
Streets,” an endeavor to make all new streets friendly and safe not only for
motorists, but also for cyclists and pedestrians; and
Whereas,
Complete Streets also includes revamping existing corridors to create direct and
safe commuter routes for cyclists and pedestrians; and
Whereas,
national expert and leader in constructing Complete Streets and walkable
neighborhoods, Dan Burden, lives in Columbus and is available for helping
redesign our city for sustainability; and
Whereas,
several organizations including the Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition are
available and working with the City to accomplish these measures; and
Whereas,
many cities around the nation have made remarkable changes in streets,
neighborhoods and shopping areas to create safe and direct walking and cycling
routes, to create more esthetically pleasing neighborhoods and to allow people
to gather and meet one another in ways that enhance personal satisfaction and
sense of community; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress urges that Columbus move with all haste to expedite and implement a Complete Streets program that will make the entire city’s streets and neighborhoods amenable to cycling and walking, that will make less carbon-intensive methods of transportation accessible to the public, and that at the same time will encourage modes of transportation that consume less of our dwindling fossil-fuel resources.
Resolution for Wetlands Preservation
Whereas, the City of Columbus and the Central Ohio region is fast losing its wetlands to
development;
and
Whereas,
development pressures are causing streams, both continuous and intermittent or
ephemeral, to be flattened, modified, paved, channeled, piped or otherwise
disturbed, degraded, or obliterated; and
Whereas,
permits for development and modifications of
wetlands, rivers and streams are being made in small units that do not
address the cumulative effects of the destruction of these important Central
Ohio resources; and
Whereas,
rivers, streams and wetlands provide habitat for wildlife which are critical
parts of an integrated environmental system that supports both small and higher
forms of life, including essential resources used by the human population; and
Whereas,
rivers, streams and wetlands provide free services that, when destroyed, cost
millions of dollars to replace. These free services include filtering out
toxins, silt and pollutants; therefore
Be
it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress urges that the City
of Columbus move with all haste to develop strong laws protecting wetlands and
river and stream corridors in developed areas and the 2007 Citizens Grassroots
Congress particularly urges that the City of Columbus move with all haste to
develop even more stringent laws protecting wetlands and river and stream
corridors in areas that are not yet developed
Resolution for Alum Creek Survey and Funds for Clean Up
Whereas,
recent news of a fuel leak from a City of Columbus tank close to Alum Creek has
had considerable coverage in local media; and
Whereas, many questions remain as to why the tank was buried so close to a major stream; why
it developed holes and leakage when it was new in 1991; why an Ohio EPA investigator sent almost two months previously took a visual look and the agency was satisfied with a report stating the
cause
was unknown; and what agency, if any, is responsible or willing to take
responsibility for investigating and enforcing laws governing underground
storage tanks; and
Whereas,
there are 7 known city landfills and industrial burial grounds around a
south side section of Columbus in the area along Alum Creek in the
area of I-70/SR104; and
Whereas,
in the summer of 2007 while constructing the Alum Creek bike trail by I-70, a
cache of drums was accidentally punctured, and cleanup of the resulting
contaminated site in the Ohio Dept. of Transportation’s right-of-way resulted
in extended costs and a 6-month delay in completing the paved greenway trail;
and
Whereas,
residents both close to the creek and throughout the city are questioning the
scope of the dangers posed by these Brownfield and perhaps Superfund sites;
therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress calls for Columbus to being immediately to conduct a survey of the entire industrial area along Alum Creek at I-70/SR 104 and request funding for a cleanup.
Social and Economic Justice Resolutions
Resolution for Health Care for All Ohioans
The United States Supreme Court ruled that health care is a business, which profits by rationing. health care according the ability to pay. We have the most expensive care in the world, yet we rank 37th in quality. We fail our people by every public health indicator. Our nation’s high infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates continue to rise. Women are 70 percent more likely to die in childbirth in America than in Europe. We have the worst child immunization rate in the Western Hemisphere with the exception of Haiti.
1.3 million Ohioans do not have health care insurance. Reliable estimates maintain that about
2 million more Ohioans are under-insured, or have been temporarily uninsured within the past two years.
H.R.
676, “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All,” the national universal single
payer health program, makes health care a right for all citizens; it establishes
affordable, quality health care without waiting lists; employees would be free
to change jobs or start businesses; American businesses would be able to compete
equally; it increases preventive care, thereby reducing expensive emergency care
and hospitalizations; and it would save lives and enhance the quality of life.
H.R. 676, sponsored by Congressman John Conyers, has sixty-nine cosponsors, including the Honorable U. S. Representative Lacy Clay, of S1. Louis. H.R. 676 is endorsed by: The St. Louis Labor Council; the S1. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 and Communication Workers of America Local 6355 (Missouri State Workers Union).
City of Columbus Resolution
In Support of Federal Legislation - (HR 676) The United States National Health Insurance Act (“Expanded and Improved Medicare for All”)
Whereas, every person in Ohio and in the United States deserves access to affordable, quality health care; and
Whereas, the crisis in health care in the United States of America includes rising health care costs, increased insurance costs, and out-of-pocket medical expenses; and
Whereas, the U.S. poverty rate is increasing as employee layoffs and outsourcing of the workforce is increasing: and
Whereas, approximately 1.3 million Ohioans lacked health insurance in 2006; and
Whereas, those insured now often experience burdensome medical debt and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining health care; and
Whereas, one-half of personal bankruptcies are due to illnesses or medical bills; and
Whereas, the rising cost of insuring state employees and teachers can best be met not by limiting benefits, but by expanding them under a national, publicly-funded health insurance program; and
Whereas, the complex bureaucracy arising from our system of fragmented, for-profit, multi-payer system of health care financing consumes approximately thirty percent (30%) of United States health care spending; and
Whereas, independent research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, PhD found in .2003 that if Missouri adopted a single payer, universal health program with benefits more generous than 75 percent of all private insurance benefits in the state, Missouri health care spending would decline by $1.3 billion savings in administrative costs under a streamlined administrative structure; and
Whereas, rationing health care according to ability to pay has diminished the overall health of our citizens to the point at which the United States ranks shamefully low at thirty-sixth in quality by the World Health Organization; and
Whereas, Ohio State Representative Mike Skindell has introduced H.B. 186, the Health Care For All Ohioans Act (HCFAOA), and Ohio State Senator Dale Miller has introduced the same bill in the Senate, S.B. 168; and
Whereas, United States Representative John Conyers has introduced HR. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, in the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress, and this act would provide a universal, comprehensive, single-payer system of high quality national health insurance; therefore
Be it resolved by that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress is asking the Columbus City Council to endorse the Health Care For All Ohioans Act, H.B. 186, S.B. 168, and federal legislation, HR 676, “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All,” and will work to educate our community on the importance of this legislation and that, copies of this resolution be sent to our Ohio members of the General Assembly, and the Senators in the U.S. Senate and members of the House of Representatives.
Ending Taxpayer Support for Sweatshops
Whereas, sweatshop conditions in apparel and other industries around the world and in the United States are well documented; and
Whereas, workplace abuses cause untold human suffering for workers and their families across the globe; and
Whereas, taxpayers may believe that ethical consumption requires that cities do not purchase goods from sweatshops; and
Whereas, cities, acting as any other consumer in the marketplace, may lawfully choose to buy goods that are not made in sweatshops; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress is calling on the Columbus City Council to participate in the formation of a State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium that will pool resources for investigations and monitoring of supplier factories and coordinate the implementation and enforcement of sweatfree procurement standards based on the following key principles:
All companies in the supply chain producing the goods sold to the City are responsible for ensuring that the workers producing those goods do not work under sweatshop conditions. Vendors must commit to a Code of Conduct with strong protections for workers in supplier factories, requiring adherence to international standards of workplace fairness and safety and non-poverty wages. Vendors must publicly disclose the locations and working conditions in supplier factories.
Factory investigations will be primarily complaint-based with the goal of rectifying Code of Conduct violations. An independent monitor, which is neither owned nor controlled in whole or in part by the industry to be monitored and does not derive any revenue from this industry, will have full control of the investigatory process, working in partnership with organizations, situated in the local factory community, that have demonstrated commitment to the human rights and basic needs of workers.
Working conditions generally improve when workers have a meaningful right to freedom of association, because it is workers who have the greatest incentive and opportunity to monitor working conditions on a day-to-day basis.
Code of Conduct compliance requires fair purchasing terms between companies and factories, because the product price and requirements for volume and turnaround time shape the conditions in which factories strive for compliance. The Consortium will develop mechanisms to ensure that supplier factories receive stable and sufficient orders at a fair price. In return, factories will have to maintain Code of Conduct compliance and be open to inspections by an independent monitor.
The Consortium will begin work in the apparel sector but will consider expanding its scope to other industries where sweatshops are of concern.
Consortium affiliation will be open to all public entities (cities, counties, states, school districts) that adopt a Code of Conduct with strong protections for workers in supplier factories; require vendors to publicly disclose names, addresses and working conditions of supplier factories; pay annual dues, which will be mutually determined by Consortium members; and, as soon as contractually possible, require vendors to commit to fair purchasing with their suppliers.
The governing board of the Consortium will include government representatives, who will constitute the majority, and advocates and experts committed to the enforcement of worker rights.
In order to maintain its independence, the Consortium will not accept any funding from the industries to be monitored.
Whereas, the United States now has 2.2 million people behind bars in prisons and jails, according to this 2007 report: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3321586; and
Whereas, 37 percent are black. In Ohio 48% of those in prison are black, whereas only 12% of Ohioans are black; and
Whereas, the U.S. has the highest number behind bars of any country, including China and Russia, both numerically and as a percentage of population, assuming all countries are reporting fairly accurately as can be seen at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040206.html; and
Whereas, this is largely due to lawmakers running for office on “tough on crime” platforms.
However, many of the laws that are enacted are counter-productive to a reduction in crime. The aim is to appear tough on crime, not to reduce crime. That would require rehabilitation and a more equitable distribution of income, and teaching kids to be tolerant in school, and respectful to others, as well as many other societal problems that would need to be addressed; and
Whereas, the Ohio prison system is broken. Prisons are punitive and repressive, there is little opportunity for education or rehabilitation, and when prisoners are released, they generally have no jobs or opportunity for jobs, no medical care, and no housing.
Whereas, in Ohio those who kill Whites are 3.8 times more likely to receive a death sentence than those who kill Blacks. The chances of a death sentence in Hamilton County are more than 6 times higher than in Franklin County. There is nothing fair about the way the death penalty is handed out in Ohio; and
Whereas, privatization of prisons is a bad idea. There is even less chance for rehabilitation and even a greater chance for prisoner abuse; and
Whereas, keeping prisoners in contact with friends and family is an essential part of enabling them to rebuild productive lives when they are released from prison. The cruel and counterproductive prison telephone systems charge the families of inmates outrageous rates — it can easily cost $15 for a 15-minute phone call. This is bilking the poorest of the poor-prisoners’ families are on average very low income; and
Whereas, in Ohio prisoners, including ex-felons, can vote when they are released, even if they are on probation, parole, or post-release control — all they have to do is reregister. Yet Ohio Boards of Elections have in many cases told them otherwise; and
Whereas, serious problems in the Ohio prison system (among them, lack of meaningful parole hearings for Old-Law inmates, inadequate visiting hours and facilities, catalog vendor monopoly, immoral and counterproductive telephone program that gouges prisoners’ families, the effectiveness of alternative corrections, the need for more and better re-entry programs and support) point to the need for a study of the Ohio corrections system and to the need for an Ombudsman who has the authority to get things done and will listen to the concerns of prisoners; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress ask Governor Strickland:
To undertake a study of the Ohio Criminal Justice System, with particular attention to, but not limited to:
1. Racial disparity in every aspect of the system;
2. Inadequate visiting hours, space, and facilities;
3. Profiting off prisoners and their families: monopoly catalog vendors and monopoly telephone vendors;
4. Ineffective and exploitive Community Based Correctional Facilities and halfway houses with inadequate or nonexistent rehabilitation programs; and
5. Lack of reentry programs and support: jobs, housing, and medical care.
6. To institute a moratorium on the death penalty while reviewing all aspects of the death penalty in Ohio.
7. To tightly regulate and monitor for now Ohio’s two private prisons and start phasing them out.
8. To appoint an Ombudsman for the Ohio prison system.
9. To direct the Ohio Adult Parole Authority to give meaningful parole hearings to all those eligible for parole.
In addition be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress asks the Secretary of State:
To ensure that in every election every election worker knows that in Ohio, all former prisoners can vote, even if they are on probation, parole, or post-release control.
A Resolution
for the Anti-Patriot Act/Bill of Rights Defense Proposal
Whereas, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee reports that as of October 19, 2007, 412 local, county, and states have passed Anti-Patriot Act resolutions; and
Whereas, the State of Ohio recognizes the Constitution of the United States as our charter of liberty, and that the Bill of Rights enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of Americans, including the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and privacy; and
Whereas, each of Ohio’s duly elected public servants has sworn to defend and uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Ohio; and
Whereas, the State of Ohio denounces and condemns all acts of terrorism, wherever occurring; and
Whereas, attacks against Americans such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, have necessitated the crafting of effective laws to protect the public from terrorist attacks; and
Whereas, any new security measures of federal, state, and local governments should be carefully designed and employed to enhance public safety without infringing on the civil liberties and rights of innocent citizens of the State of Ohio and the nation; and
Whereas, certain provisions of the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001,” also known as the USA PATRIOT Act, allow the federal government more liberally to detain and investigate citizens and engage in surveillance activities that may violate or offend the rights and liberties guaranteed by our state and federal constitutions; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress calls upon the Ohio State Legislature to support the government of the United States of America in its campaign against terrorism, and affirm its commitment that the campaign not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of citizens of this country contained in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and
Be it further resolved that it is the policy of the State of Ohio to oppose any portion of the USA PATRIOT Act that would violate the rights and liberties guaranteed equally under the state and federal constitutions; and
Be it further resolved that, in accordance with Ohio state policy, an agency or instrumentality of the State of Ohio, in the absence of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity under Ohio State law, may not:
1. Initiate, participate in, or assist or cooperate with an inquiry, investigation, surveillance, or detention;
2. Record, file, or share intelligence information concerning a person or organization, including library lending and research records, book and video store sales and rental records, medical records, financial records, student records, and other personal data, even if authorized under the USA PATRIOT Act;
3. Retain such intelligence information; the state Attorney General shall review the intelligence information currently held by the state for its legality and appropriateness under the United States and Ohio Constitutions and permanently dispose of it if there is no reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; and
Be it further resolved that an agency or instrumentality of the state may not:
1. Use state resources or institutions for the enforcement of federal immigration matters, which are the responsibility of the federal government;
2. Collect or maintain information about the political, religious, or social views, associations, or activities of any individual, group, association, organization, corporation, business, or partnership, unless the information directly relates to an investigation of criminal activities and there are reasonable grounds to suspect the subject of the information is or may be involved in criminal conduct;
3. Engage in racial profiling; law enforcement agencies may not use race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in selecting individuals to subject to investigatory activities except when seeking to apprehend a specific suspect whose race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin is part of the description of the suspect; and
Be it further resolved that the Ohio State Legislature implores the United States Congress to correct provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act and other measures that infringe on civil liberties, and opposes any pending and future federal legislation to the extent that it infringes on Americans’ civil rights and liberties.
A Resolution to Ensure Kinship Care Rights
Whereas, no children should be removed from their birth parents if the only reason is poverty conditions. Instead financial means must be provided to help alleviate the poverty conditions.
This could be assisting the parent to find an adequate paying job; emergency rent assistance; utility assistance, and other. First and foremost, it is in the best interest of society to keep children with their birth parents if the only barrier is poverty; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress calls upon policymakers to immediately adopt the following policies that will significantly help make Ohio’s families safe and stable:
1. Increase “preferential status” for children to be placed with relatives if removed from parents. Grandparents and other relatives should be the first choice for children to be placed with if removed from their biological parents, as long as the relatives’ homes are safe. This benefits children by maintaining family bonds and helps keep siblings placed together in same home. It helps children have a sense of stability to see familiar and loved faces amidst all the other turmoil & upheaval in their lives.
2. Increase support to kinship care providers: child care vouchers, transportation assistance, clothing, food assistance, mental health care for stress management, and respite care Grandparents and other relatives need support to do the sacrificial job of raising their grandchildren. Many grandparents are senior citizens who need their own supports and are often on fixed incomes. Respite care is important so that grandparents can get a “break” to relieve the stress of being “parents” again.
3. Increase public assistance payments for kinship care providers to equal foster care payments
Currently
in Ohio, a Kinship Care provider receives $245 monthly for one child in her/his
care on Ohio Works First. This is known as a “child-only” case. For each
additional relative’s child, the Kinship Care provider receives only $77. In
contrast, a foster care parent receives approximately $500 per month with an
additional $500 for each additional child. Grandparents should be honored and
awarded for stepping in to help their grandchildren during a time of crisis in
their grandchildren’s lives.
A Resolution for Columbus City Council Reform
A
revision of the city charter to enhance participatory democracy in Columbus city
government would better serve our neighborhoods. Would anybody think it a
democratic practice if all members of the U.S. Congress were elected at large,
and all of them lived in California? The people of California might be
satisfied, but in all likelihood even they ·would acknowledge a lack of
democracy. Columbus needs to mandate that at least some Council members be
district based. This would better serve under-represented populations that are
grouped throughout the city and bring more direct accountability to Council
members.
Whereas,
as it now stands, all seven City Council members are elected at large, and most
live in the same area of the city; and
Whereas,
there are only seven City Council members, and they are only part-time — this
in a city of over half a million. Full time Council is needed. In cities close
to it in population, Columbus has the highest ratio of total population per
council representative, at over 93,000 per council member. If Columbus were to
have 11 council members that would bring it in line with other cities of
comparable size; and
Whereas,
Columbus is the 13th largest city in America and deserves a full-time council.
The current part-time status restricts Council members from truly representing
citizens and carrying out their duties; and
Whereas, special elections should be held to fill vacancies in Council rather than waiting until
the next regularly scheduled election. The current practice favors appointed members and is
undemocratic. The use of appointments has historically lead to unfair advantages to the party in power in appointing, then getting elected, members of their party due to the public exposure and experience these party selected individuals are given; therefore
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizens Grassroots Congress asks the City of Columbus increase the size of Columbus City Council to 11 members, that those members be full time and district-based, and that special elections be held to fill vacancies in Columbus City Council.
Resolution for a Living Wage for all Ohio Workers
Whereas, a movement for economic justice is manifesting itself across the country to demand a living wage for families, that confronts a 25-year decline in real wage buying power. Since 1912, the USA instituted a national minimum wage that had its buying power peak during 1968. However, today it’s buying only 65% of that peak ability; therefore, the new movement for a living wage has gained traction among community organizations, faith-based initiatives, and unions as a means to address the real needs of USA-based workers. A “Living Wage” campaign immediately calls to raise the minimum wage rates. But more importantly, the living wage indexes future wage rate increases to inflation rates and other economic indicators such as health care, retirement, and daily living costs.
Whereas, the Citizens Grassroots Congress’ resolution supports the City Council of Columbus and the Franklin County Commissioners to pass a Living Wage resolution that meets family needs and community prerequisites in future contracts sought from the city or other businesses wishing to do their business in Columbus. Business leaders must come to the table and be prepared to not only make money in Columbus area but they must also be prepared to distribute compensation and benefits that enable their workers to support their families. If they do not come ready, they will not be accepted as good neighbors.
Be it resolved that the 2007 Citizen’s Grassroots Congress supports the efforts of SEIU organizing Janitors for Justice, and advance the notion of a living wage.
Copyright
2008