The committee follows changes occurring in Cincinnati City Government and monitors their impact on City Council, the City Manager, administrative staff, and the public's participation in the governmental process. The committee continues to monitor proposals for an Executive Mayor form of government and suggestions for changes in the way City Council members are elected. We are working with the Natural Resources Committee to follow city and regional transportation proposals. The committee meets as needed; call the League office for dates and times.

DIVERSITY

The committee works to recruit members so that LWVCA membership reflects the diversity of our community. We provide information on such topics as affirmative action, status of women in local politics and immigration policy through forums, presentations, discussions and written materials. Committee members collaborate with a variety of community organizations to promote civic engagement, especially among those who are marginalized and disenfranchised; work to remove discriminatory language and practices from government policies, regulations and laws; and act to support and work for the National, State and Local League positions that are based on equal rights and social reform. Call the office for committee meeting dates, times and location.

EDUCATION

This year we will concentrate on Ohio’s funding of public education, although at this time, the specifics of our activity are few. Many organizations in the Cincinnati Area want to see changes made that will respond to the Supreme Court’s objections in the DeRolf case of over a decade ago. Governor Strickland has said that this issue is one of his priorities and has begun gathering input for a system of core values, strategies, principles that citizens agree are necessary for a successful public school system. Once this is done (by Fall, 2008), he will gather public input on how the State should fund that system. If there is an opportunity to participate in any part of these sessions, we will do so. If direct participation isn’t possible, we will follow the progress of the activities and report findings to League members.

In addition to keeping abreast of activity at the state level, our Committee is gathering information from various sources about finances in Cincinnati Public Schools. The passage of the March, 2008 levy depended on promises that were made by the Board and the Administration. We will be watching CPS to ensure that those promises are kept. Call the league office for times of meetings.

HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The County Government Committee follows issues concerning Hamilton County government. We have monitored the proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners, Tax Levy Review Committee, Regional Planning Partnership, and Criminal Justice Commission, as well as other County activities. The committee evaluated the Hamilton County process for voting on property tax levies, compared it to those of other metropolitan counties in Ohio, and produced a white paper that can be found on the Recent Issues page as a downloadable PDF file. The committee has studied specific property tax issues that are to be submitted to the voters and at times has recommended that our Board take a public position of support for a particular levy. The committee recently updated the League publication Know Hamilton County, a popular educational booklet which provides extensive data about the County. The committee meets the fourth Monday of the month at the League office.

HEALTH CARE

The newly formed Health Care Committee is defining itself by becoming familiar with our League position on Health Care. We looked at a number of presidential primary candidate positions as a prediction of future federal legislation and looked for potential lobbying points within our position. We are now examining the mission statements and activities of single issue health care organizations in Hamilton County and LWVCA contacts to find potential local issues and collaboration opportunities. The committee meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at the League office.

HOUSING

Members address housing issues including lead hazards, predatory lending, affordable housing development, home ownership issues, public housing, home repair issues and housing discrimination. The current emphasis for the committee is foreclosure issues and maintaining racially stable neighborhoods. The Cincinnati League is a member of the Affordable Housing Advocate coalition. Call the league office for times of meetings.

NATURAL RESOURCES

The committee acts on environmental issues concerning resource management and protection, and pollution control related to land use, water and air quality. Our interest in the link between land use and transportation continues. The committee is currently investigating the Eastern Corridor project and the implications regarding both transportation and environmental impacts. Recycling and solid waste management is another interest of the committee, in particular the continuation of the recycling program within the City of Cincinnati and the encouragement of recycling throughout the region. The committee strives to keep abreast of water quality issues within the region (Mill Creek, Little Miami and Ohio River, etc.). Committee members continue to work with the Leadership Group to carry forward "Sustainable Cincinnati: A Regional Indicators Project." Meeting times vary, call the office for dates and times. Meeting dates, times and locations are posted on the LWVCA Calendar or call the League office during business hours for information.