| Hamilton County, OH | November 2, 2004 Election |
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To Restore Good GovernmentBy Tyrone K. YatesCandidate for State Representative; District 33 |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
More public participation is needed to restore good governmentI recently had the unfortunate experience of testifying before a Cincinnati City Council Committee on Finance. I was giving testimony and requesting that the City of Cincinnati tax the income derived from stock options. This new policy of not taxing exercised stock options was callously instituted by an egregious vote of Cincinnati City Council in 1998. To the detriment of the public process and good government,I noted when testifying that the remarks of ctizens were distinctly limited to two minutes by the Chairman and the Committee. Two minutes is not enough time for citizens to give input on local government questions. The result is that the public cannot hear the citizen input in a meaningful way as Cincinnati City Council makes decisions. I believe that Cincinnati City Council should change its rules to permit more time for citizens to testify before its Committees and Council. Let me also comment on the unfortunate practice of Cincinnati City Council having only 30 minutes prior to Council meetings for public comment. This practice separates the public input from the exciting and transformational moment of the vote and lessens public weight and impact on the political and civic process. I urge the Council to permit public input of much more reasonable time lengths and at more appropriate times.The Ohio General Assembly has a vast schedule yet we accord citizens the right to testify freely at length before our committees. If such a practice is good for the legislature, isn't it even more important to provide citizens a voice at the local level? If you agree with this view, please contact Mayor Luken at 352-3250 and Rules Chairman David Pepper and ask for the Rules of Council to be modified so that good government may be restored. |
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oh/state Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 29, 2004 10:08
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