Through discussions and requests from residents and activists here is a copy of the Rules of Council for the Cleveland City Council. These rules are adopted separately from the City's Charter and Codified Ordinances which can be found here. Additional information regarding the Council can be found in Chapter 5 of the Charter. The Rules set forth the way council conducts its business.
Copies of Council's legislation can be found here, although the list of legislation is only goes back to May of this year. Council staff is working to make available legislation in a more comprehensive and searchable manner.
Additionally, legislation as well as a lot of other City actions (including Committee and Board appointments, Board rulings etc.) can be found within Council's City Record that is published weekly. Searchable copies of the City Record can be found here.
Lastly, all Cleveland City Council meetings are streamed live on the City's Channel 20. Council is working with the Administration to have the capabilities to stream Council's official meetings of the whole in Chambers. And, there is a call to do more in providing easier access to archived video of Council's deliberations which could be searchable based on time, date and legislation discussed and voted on.
If there are any questions regarding the rules and any other aspect of Council's functions and communications please contact me at 216-664-4238 or by email to bcummins@clevelandcitycouncil.org, or our Council Clerk and other members.
Cleveland City Council - Rules of Council 2014-2017 by Brian Cummins on Scribd
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Help shine a light and open up your Government
Register for TCamp here.
See the article and video below. See you at TCamp this Friday and Saturday!
#CLE TCamp Article and Info - BCummins by Brian Cummins on Scribd
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Cleveland's Ward 14 Summer Newsletter, from the Office of Councilman Brian Cummins
What's inside - see the table of contents and embedded newsletter below. Supplemental information and links to articles and webs sites related to the newsletter are listed below each article.
Front Page:
- Congratulations Esperanza Barillas Ward 14 Senior of the Year
- The Lofts at Lion Mills – $9 million housing project on W. 25th Street - breaks ground
For additional information and media coverage see: - Groundbreaking held for Lofts at Lion Mills on West 25th Street, Crain's Cleveland Business, by Stan Bullard, 6/30/16
- New Tax Credit Project Funded in Clark Fulton, The Lofts at Lion Mills Scheduled to Break Ground Early 2016, 6/19/15, press release and other info.
- Bonnie Walker Graduates from the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program
- Also see the list of graduates from the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program Class IX.
Page 2:
- Progress continues in improving neighborhood housing conditions
- Sisterhood Program wins top prize for Ohio Gun Violence Picture Peace Program
- Citywide Housing Survey Finds Problems Persist but Housing Market is Improving
- Cleveland Property Survey Results Released, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, 11/21/15
Page 3:
- La Placita returns to West 25th Street
- and Clark Avenue for five Saturday events
For additional info and media coverage see: - La Placita in La Villa Hispana, description and information provided by Hispanic Business Center
- La Placita offers testing ground for Hispanic entrepreneurs, by Jacqueline Bon, FreshWater, 6/11/2015
- Hispanic Business Center Hosts First La Placita Market at West 25th and Clark, by Eric Sandy, 5/11/2015
- LegalWorks to hold local expungement clinic at Family Ministry Center on Saturday July 23rd
- Eligibility Clinics for Expungement Day, Cleveland 19 News, 6/18/2016
- Earned Income Tax Credit Tax service helped return $1 million back to the community
Page 4:
- Road to Hope
- Announcement of ciCLEvia events
Supplemental article -
Blazing a Trail of Ambition
(as published in the 2016 City of Cleveland Senior Day brochure)
 |
| Esperanza Barillas, 2016 Ward 14 Senior of the Year |
Esperanza Barillas was born in Guatemala and came to the United States in 1968. Her ambition in life has always been to serve her loved ones and the community around her. She has dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
After arriving in Queens, New York in 1968, Esperanza dreamed of studying and working. She acquired her first job as a baby sitter and soon married. After having her two children, Esperanza put her dreams of an education aside and started a job at Bingo Capital. In 1982, Esperanza took a job transfer to Bingo Capital in Cleveland and she has been committed to the community ever since. Esperanza continued to work hard to support her two children and proudly became a US Citizen in 1996.
During the summer of 2015, Esperanza and Awilda Lugo founded The Mercedarian Plaza’s Senior Steppers to increase the health of the senior residents in Cleveland. The group not only focuses on physical health, but also focuses on helping all seniors within the community to feel included in activities while creating lasting relationships. Esperanza has always been a devoted supporter of the older adult community. She also serves as a visitor and participant at her local church, where she is the Lay Eucharistic Minister.
In her spare time, Esperanza enjoys visiting older adults at senior living facilities such as Saint Augustine Manor on Detroit Avenue and assisting neighbors with translations. She is always busy helping those around her; many would describe her as "trabajadora” which means hard worker. When asked what she loves most about her beloved Cleveland she exclaimed, “It is a calm and good place to live; I’ve been living here for over 30 years!”
Esperanza Barillas was born in Guatemala and came to the United States in 1968. Her ambition in life has always been to serve her loved ones and the community around her. She has dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
After arriving in Queens, New York in 1968, Esperanza dreamed of studying and working. She acquired her first job as a baby sitter and soon married. After having her two children, Esperanza put her dreams of an education aside and started a job at Bingo Capital. In 1982, Esperanza took a job transfer to Bingo Capital in Cleveland and she has been committed to the community ever since. Esperanza continued to work hard to support her two children and proudly became a US Citizen in 1996.
During the summer of 2015, Esperanza and Awilda Lugo founded The Mercedarian Plaza’s Senior Steppers to increase the health of the senior residents in Cleveland. The group not only focuses on physical health, but also focuses on helping all seniors within the community to feel included in activities while creating lasting relationships. Esperanza has always been a devoted supporter of the older adult community. She also serves as a visitor and participant at her local church, where she is the Lay Eucharistic Minister.
In her spare time, Esperanza enjoys visiting older adults at senior living facilities such as Saint Augustine Manor on Detroit Avenue and assisting neighbors with translations. She is always busy helping those around her; many would describe her as "trabajadora” which means hard worker. When asked what she loves most about her beloved Cleveland she exclaimed, “It is a calm and good place to live; I’ve been living here for over 30 years!”
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Parade to honor Championship Cleveland Cavaliers confirmed for Wednesday 11:00 am
-- FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR FRANK G. JACKSON --
It’s Time to Celebrate Together!
The Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.
Media Note: This is the official version of the Championship Parade & Rally
CLEVELAND – In partnership with the City of Cleveland, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally will take place this Wednesday, June 22rd beginning at 11:00 a.m. Cavs fans across THE LAND and everywhere are invited downtown to celebrate Cleveland’s first NBA Championship!
The Cavaliers Championship Parade and Rally is presented by the Cleveland Clinic, KeyBank, Phantom Fireworks and KIA, and strongly supported by Sherwin-Williams, Medical Mutual, FirstMerit, FirstEnergy and Toyota. The Cavaliers Playoff Season was presented by Discount Drug Mart.
The community victory celebration will feature a 60+ unit parade complete with floats, specialty vehicles, the OSU Marching Band, and of course, the much anticipated appearance of the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
The parade will start near Quicken Loans Arena and travel through the streets of downtown Cleveland that will be followed soon after by a rally on Mall B. The rally will feature a special program of celebration with an array of entertainment, special presentations and celebrations from the Mountain Dew Stage.
Fans can expect a fun day and celebration the likes of which Cleveland has never seen before! Visit Cavs.com for the official complete, updated information about the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally.
As the television home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, FOX Sports Ohio will provide extensive coverage of the Parade and Rally from start to finish. The network will be working with FOX affiliate WJW Channel 8, WOIO Channel 19, WKYC Channel 3, and WEWS Channel 5 to partner on coverage. WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7 and the Cavs Radio Network with Mike Snyder, John Michael and Nick Camino will also provide complete parade coverage. Rafa Hernandez Brito will provide live reports from the parade and rally in Spanish for La MEGA 87.7 FM.
CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE ROUTE presented by GE Lighting
Fans are invited to line the parade route that will start in front of the Q on Huron Road to (left) Ontario Street, to (left) Carnegie Avenue, (left) on East 9th Street to (left) Lakeside Avenue ending at East 6th Street.
Street Closures
The following STREET CLOSURE will be in place for the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. This restriction will be in effect until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016
· St. Clair Avenue between East Mall Drive and West Mall Drive
The following STREET CLOSURES will be in place for the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. These closures will be in effect until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.
- Huron Road at West 2nd Street
- Huron Road at West Superior Avenue (local access only).
- Ontario Street at Prospect Avenue, southbound.
- Huron Road at Prospect Avenue
- Lorain-Carnegie Bridge at West 20th Street
- Orange Avenue at East 14th Street
- Sumner Court at East 14th Street
- Erie Court at East 14th Street
- East 3rd Street between Superior and Rockwell
- Rockwell from East 6th Street to Public Square
- Prospect Avenue at East 14th Street
- Prospect Avenue at Huron Road east of East 9th Street, westbound
- Euclid Avenue at East 12th Street, westbound
- Euclid Avenue at East 6th Street, eastbound
- Chester Avenue at East 12th Street, westbound
- Walnut Avenue at East 12th Street, westbound
- Vincent Avenue at East 6, eastbound
- Superior Avenue at East 12th Street, westbound
- St. Clair at East 12 Street, westbound
- Lakeside Avenue at East 12th Street, westbound
- Lakeside Avenue at Ontario Street, eastbound
- St. Clair Avenue at Ontario Street, eastbound
- Superior Avenue at West 3rd Street (local access only)
- Superior Avenue at East 6th Street, eastbound
- Commercial Hill at Canal (local access only)
Parking Bans
The following parking bans will be in place for the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade & Rally on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. These bans will be in effect until 9:00 p.m.
- East 9th Street in its entirety
- Vincent Avenue in its entirety
- Walnut Avenue in its entirety
- Huron Road from 800 Prospect Avenue to Ontario Street
- Huron Road between Prospect Avenue and Euclid Avenue
- Carnegie Avenue from East 14th Street to Ontario Street (both sides of the street)
- Sumner Avenue and Erie Court from East 14th Street to East 9th Street
- Bolivar Road from East 7th Street to East 14th Street
- Prospect Avenue from East 14th Street to Ontario Street
- Chester Avenue from East 9th Street to East 12th Street
- Superior Avenue from East 9th Street to East 12th Street
- Rockwell Avenue from East 9th Street to East 12th Street
- St. Clair Avenue from East 12th Street to West 3rd Street
- Lakeside Avenue from East 12th Street to West 3rd Street
- East 6th Street from Lakeside Avenue to Superior Avenue
- West Prospect from West Superior Avenue to West 2nd Street
- West 2nd Street between West Prospect Avenue to West Huron Road
- West Huron Road from West 2nd Street to west Superior Avenue
- East 12th Street from Lakeside Avenue to Superior Avenue
- East 13th Street from Lakeside Avenue to Superior Avenue
Transportation and Parking
RTA is your winning ride to the Cavalier’s Championship Parade and Rally set for Wednesday, June 22. Park for free at many of the Rapid transit stations, and ride the train to Tower City.
A commemorative Championship $5 All-Day, round trip pass will be on sale at all the Rapid transit stations on the Red, Blue and Green lines.
Please have a $5 bill ready to make your purchase. Keep the card in a secure place – you will have to show the pass on your trip home. Trains will operate every 10 minutes, and RTA staff will be on hand to assist customers.
To reach RTA by car
- From the northwest, drive east on I-90 to the Triskett Rapid Station. Ride the Red Line to Tower City.
- From the southwest, drive east on I-480 to the Brookpark Rapid Station. Ride the Red Line to Tower City.
- From the south, drive north on I-71 to the Puritas Rapid Station at West 150th Street. Ride the Red Line to Tower City.
- From I-271, drive west on Chagrin Blvd. to the municipal lot north of the Farnsleigh Rapid Station. Ride the Blue Line to Tower City.
- From the east, park at the Green Road Rapid Station. Ride the Green Line to Tower City.
- From the northeast, drive west on Euclid Avenue to the Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. Ride the HealthLine to Public Square, or the Red Line to Tower City.
Statement from Mayor Frank G. Jackson
Mayor Jackson released the following statement on the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Championship:
“I want to congratulate the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, coaching staff, players, and fans on an unprecedented NBA finals victory. It was against all odds and done in historic fashion. The strength and determination displayed throughout the season, post-season, and championship game are truly the embodiment of our city and its people. A city and a people with heart.”
Vendor Rules and Regulations
The Mayor’s Office of Capital Project Vendor Rules and Regulations are in effect for The Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade and Rally Celebration. A City-issued permit and identification badge is required for each person vending on the designated parade day. This is a one (1) day permit that is valid for only the designated parade day. On this designated day, vendors can begin to vend three (3) hours before the parade, during the parade and remaining two (2) hours after the parade. Vendors are prohibited from setting up prior to three (3) hours before the parade. Vending is permitted only on sidewalks within the parade route.
Click here for the applications as well as vendor rules and regulations that includes guidelines for vending devices and setup.
-
Spectator Information
Arrive early to allow time to find a spot and watch the parade anywhere along the route.
This is a family friendly event and fans are reminded that public consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. It is best to travel light, bring drinking water and sunscreen.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Proposed amendments to Ord. 621-16: $12.00 min wage by 2022 with annual incremental increases
Since my initial post on 5/17 calling for a consideration of an amendment for an incremental increase in the minimum wage to an amount between 50-60% the median wage, I’ve subsequently continued to review studies and have had discussions with local business owners, academics and policy makers and have arrived at a more formal proposal.
I propose an amendment to ordinance 621-16 to:
The proposal is based on two important economic factors that have been identified by a majority of economists.
(a) Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels, by Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 06.16.14, an economic policy initiative at the Brookings Institution. &
Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels.
(b) Effects of raising the minimum wage: Research and key lessons, October 19, 2015; and perspectives from local employers of the impacts of wage or cost increases on a business and employment if over 5%.
Upon review, although there is no specific calculation of what the median income is for just the City of Cleveland, economists and researchers indicate an estimated rate higher than the metro region’s rate of $17.94, or approximately between $19.00 and $20.00. For purposes of developing a proposed amendment I utilized a median rate of $19.50. This estimation is based on the employment base of Cleveland and reflects a urban core employment center that has on general a higher median wage rate.
I then applied a 58% multiple of the estimated median rate of $19.50 to obtain a rate of $11.22. Then applied a 1.35% inflation adjustment for 2017-2022 to arrive at the target rate of $12.00 by 2022. See the enclosed worksheet for calculations.
The result is the following proposed amended incremental rate increases:
[click on the image for a larger view]
I share the concerns of Council President Kelley and others who fear that by applying a increase to the minimum wage to the small geographic area of just the City of Cleveland has the potential to have negative impacts on both employment and jobs.
But, I would argue that by following sound economic advice - of considering increases to no more than 50-60% of the median wage, with annual increases below 7%, we could improve wages for low income earners and set an example for our State and the nation as taking a prudent approach to a very difficult challenge. Namely, how can we as a municipality help our most vulnerable in being able to earn a decent and fair wage without having detrimental impacts to our economy.
Unfortunately the proposed increase to $15.00 in one single increase has drawn attention to what most economists would agree would be serious negative impacts. The impacts would likely include loss of jobs, potential closures of small businesses and large discrepancies in wages and the costs to businesses located within Cleveland.
It is unfortunate that the focus is currently on the negative impacts of a large one-time increase, while the positive impacts of an incremental rate increase, to a moderate rate as suggested (50-60% of the median) are not being discussed. Those positive impacts include more purchasing power for our residents, and increase expenditures within our City, and a decrease in public assistance expenditures.
I look forward to continuing the discussion on ordinance #621-16 at our Council's scheduled hearing tomorrow.
NOTE: Please see the original blog post regarding this issue that provides more links to research and explanation of how an increase may impact employees, employers and the economy.
Also, Cleveland City Council is having its 3rd hearing on the legislation tomorrow, Thursday June 16th at 10:00 am. The hearing can be viewed live on Cleveland Channel 20 that is also streamed at this link.
REF:
Worksheets utilized to formulate the $12.00 by 2022 proposed amendment:
[click on the images for a larger view]
I propose an amendment to ordinance 621-16 to:
- Set the rate of the minimum wage in Cleveland to a rate of $12.00 by the year 2022 – see chart below.
The proposal is based on two important economic factors that have been identified by a majority of economists.
- The minimum wage should be no more than 50-60% of the median wage (a).
- The incremental increases should be less than 7-10% per year (b).
(a) Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels, by Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 06.16.14, an economic policy initiative at the Brookings Institution. &
Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels.
(b) Effects of raising the minimum wage: Research and key lessons, October 19, 2015; and perspectives from local employers of the impacts of wage or cost increases on a business and employment if over 5%.
Upon review, although there is no specific calculation of what the median income is for just the City of Cleveland, economists and researchers indicate an estimated rate higher than the metro region’s rate of $17.94, or approximately between $19.00 and $20.00. For purposes of developing a proposed amendment I utilized a median rate of $19.50. This estimation is based on the employment base of Cleveland and reflects a urban core employment center that has on general a higher median wage rate.
I then applied a 58% multiple of the estimated median rate of $19.50 to obtain a rate of $11.22. Then applied a 1.35% inflation adjustment for 2017-2022 to arrive at the target rate of $12.00 by 2022. See the enclosed worksheet for calculations.
The result is the following proposed amended incremental rate increases:
[click on the image for a larger view]
I share the concerns of Council President Kelley and others who fear that by applying a increase to the minimum wage to the small geographic area of just the City of Cleveland has the potential to have negative impacts on both employment and jobs.
But, I would argue that by following sound economic advice - of considering increases to no more than 50-60% of the median wage, with annual increases below 7%, we could improve wages for low income earners and set an example for our State and the nation as taking a prudent approach to a very difficult challenge. Namely, how can we as a municipality help our most vulnerable in being able to earn a decent and fair wage without having detrimental impacts to our economy.
Unfortunately the proposed increase to $15.00 in one single increase has drawn attention to what most economists would agree would be serious negative impacts. The impacts would likely include loss of jobs, potential closures of small businesses and large discrepancies in wages and the costs to businesses located within Cleveland.
It is unfortunate that the focus is currently on the negative impacts of a large one-time increase, while the positive impacts of an incremental rate increase, to a moderate rate as suggested (50-60% of the median) are not being discussed. Those positive impacts include more purchasing power for our residents, and increase expenditures within our City, and a decrease in public assistance expenditures.
I look forward to continuing the discussion on ordinance #621-16 at our Council's scheduled hearing tomorrow.
NOTE: Please see the original blog post regarding this issue that provides more links to research and explanation of how an increase may impact employees, employers and the economy.
Also, Cleveland City Council is having its 3rd hearing on the legislation tomorrow, Thursday June 16th at 10:00 am. The hearing can be viewed live on Cleveland Channel 20 that is also streamed at this link.
REF:
Worksheets utilized to formulate the $12.00 by 2022 proposed amendment:
[click on the images for a larger view]
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Summer Meal Program - Free for kids
Cleveland Metropolitan School District joins the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to feed children at 18 convenient school locations. Monday through Friday, children 18 years and under will be offered hot, nutritious meals all summer.
Distrito Escolar Metropolitano de Cleveland se une a la mayor Cleveland Banco de alimentos para alimentar a los niños a los 18 lugares de la escuela convenientes . De lunes a viernes , los niños de 18 años y , comidas calientes y nutritivas bajo serán ofrecidos durante todo el verano .
Distrito Escolar Metropolitano de Cleveland se une a la mayor Cleveland Banco de alimentos para alimentar a los niños a los 18 lugares de la escuela convenientes . De lunes a viernes , los niños de 18 años y , comidas calientes y nutritivas bajo serán ofrecidos durante todo el verano .
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Ordinance 621-16 Cleveland Minimum Wage
UPDATED - 12:45, 05.17.16
On Monday evening Cleveland City Council introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage in Cleveland, Ohio from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to $15.00. The ordinance is being introduced due to the successful efforts of a citizen's petition drive.
Council by law must either approve the petitioned ordinance, amend it or reject it. If the ordinance is amended or rejected, petitioners can call for the original or Council amended version to be put on the ballot for a vote by Cleveland residents in November.
A copy of the ordinance is provided below, along with additional information.
Cleveland City Council begins hearings on the legislation tomorrow at 1:30 pm. The hearing can be viewed live on Cleveland Channel 20 that is also streamed at this link. It is expected that there will be a minimum of two hearings on the ordinance.
My position on the issue - I support an amendment to the Ordinance that would incrementally raise the minimum wage in Cleveland from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to $15 by 2022. A preliminary example of how an incremental increase could be scheduled is as follows:
======================
UPDATED - 12:45, 05.17.16
I support an amendment to the Ordinance that would incrementally raise the minimum wage in Cleveland from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to an hourly rate of between 50 & 60% of the City's median hourly wage (approximately $10 - $12/hour) by 2022.
This change in position reflects a better understanding of an overarching issue of what is being proposed for a very small, economically distressed geographic area and two additional primary economic issues and an:
A preliminary example of how an incremental increase could be scheduled is as follows:
An incremental increase could provide increased income to low-wage workers while at the same time help businesses that would need to comply with the law (those with more than 25 employees with several other exceptions) to adjust wages and payrolls and to phase in the increases with less adverse impacts. A six-year incremental scheduled would see the minimum wage increase a total of 85% at 10.82% on average per year.
There are many studies on the topic of minimum wage. Generally there appears to be agreement on what the Congressional Budget Office stated in 2012 -
"Raising the minimum wage would increase family income for many low-wage workers, moving some of them out of poverty. But some jobs for low-wage workers would probably be eliminated and the income of those workers would fall substantially."
Although in the case of Ordinance 621-16, it appears that what is being proposed, an increase by January 2017 to $15.00 would represent the highest increase in the shortest period of time as anywhere in the country, See "Politifact Ohio - $15-per-hour proposal in Cleveland 'most aggressive' increase in US?", 04.25.2016
REF: CBO, The Effects of a Minimum-Wage Increase on Employment and Family Income, .02.18.2014.
Additional resources to review the issue of raising the minimum wage are provided below. Please share other resources you find helpful by commenting on this article below.
Issues that I hope we can cover in our council hearings include:
Who would be impacted by the new law?
Workers -
For an accounting of low-income workers and families in Cleveland and what their expenditures and cost of living are like as compared to others around the country see the Policy Matters' "Getting by in Ohio: The 2013 Basic Family Budget" (07.10.13); "$10.10 minimum wage would help Ohio" (03.25.12) and, "Left behind: State of Working Ohio 2015" (09.06.15).
[click on images for enlarged view]
A"Covered Employer" per the Ordinance "means any person or entity employing 25 or more employees in the United States during the previous calendar year and who otherwise meets the definition of "employer" under Section 34a of Article II of the Ohio Constitution." REF: Proposed Ord. 621-16 New Section 174.01 c.
Other Resources
Cleveland City Council research on national policy and recent changes to the minimum wage. click on the link for a larger formatted view:
Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels, by Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 06.16.14, an economic policy initiative at the Brookings Institution.
Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels,
by: Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst
New York Economists Support a Statewide $15 Minimum Wage; Recent academic research shows it’s good for workers, businesses and the economy. Fiscal Policy Institute, 03.14.16
On Monday evening Cleveland City Council introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage in Cleveland, Ohio from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to $15.00. The ordinance is being introduced due to the successful efforts of a citizen's petition drive.
Council by law must either approve the petitioned ordinance, amend it or reject it. If the ordinance is amended or rejected, petitioners can call for the original or Council amended version to be put on the ballot for a vote by Cleveland residents in November.
A copy of the ordinance is provided below, along with additional information.
Cleveland City Council begins hearings on the legislation tomorrow at 1:30 pm. The hearing can be viewed live on Cleveland Channel 20 that is also streamed at this link. It is expected that there will be a minimum of two hearings on the ordinance.
My position on the issue - I support an amendment to the Ordinance that would incrementally raise the minimum wage in Cleveland from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to $15 by 2022. A preliminary example of how an incremental increase could be scheduled is as follows:
======================
UPDATED - 12:45, 05.17.16
I support an amendment to the Ordinance that would incrementally raise the minimum wage in Cleveland from the current State of Ohio rate of $8.10 to an hourly rate of between 50 & 60% of the City's median hourly wage (approximately $10 - $12/hour) by 2022.
This change in position reflects a better understanding of an overarching issue of what is being proposed for a very small, economically distressed geographic area and two additional primary economic issues and an:
- The minimum wage as a percentage of median income above 50-60% can a detrimental impact the broader economy. Ref below "Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels".
- An annual increase of more than 10% of a minimum wage can also have a detrimental impact the broader economy.
A preliminary example of how an incremental increase could be scheduled is as follows:
======================
The rationale for my position is that although I agree the minimum wage should be increased, as the Federal government and the State of Ohio has failed to adequately adjust the national minimum wage to keep pace with inflation and to provide for adequate minimum wage - a large adjustment made in one-year could have significant impact on employees, employers and the economy (prices, competitiveness of Cleveland businesses, etc.).
An incremental increase could provide increased income to low-wage workers while at the same time help businesses that would need to comply with the law (those with more than 25 employees with several other exceptions) to adjust wages and payrolls and to phase in the increases with less adverse impacts. A six-year incremental scheduled would see the minimum wage increase a total of 85% at 10.82% on average per year.
There are many studies on the topic of minimum wage. Generally there appears to be agreement on what the Congressional Budget Office stated in 2012 -
"Raising the minimum wage would increase family income for many low-wage workers, moving some of them out of poverty. But some jobs for low-wage workers would probably be eliminated and the income of those workers would fall substantially."
Although in the case of Ordinance 621-16, it appears that what is being proposed, an increase by January 2017 to $15.00 would represent the highest increase in the shortest period of time as anywhere in the country, See "Politifact Ohio - $15-per-hour proposal in Cleveland 'most aggressive' increase in US?", 04.25.2016
REF: CBO, The Effects of a Minimum-Wage Increase on Employment and Family Income, .02.18.2014.
Additional resources to review the issue of raising the minimum wage are provided below. Please share other resources you find helpful by commenting on this article below.
Issues that I hope we can cover in our council hearings include:
- the level and concentration of poverty in the City of Cleveland;
- income and wealth inequality;
- importance of local small businesses;
- incomes and wealth of low income families, such as free tax preparation services that help generate returns using the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit; and,
- other efforts we have been making to improve: incomes and wealth of low income families, such as free tax preparation services that help generate returns using the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit; literacy rates and education of workers; employment inclusion and local hiring initiatives such as Community Benefit Agreements.
- need for state and federal actions for raising the minimum wage; the political realities of local laws being the first movers in affecting changes at the State and Federal level.
Who would be impacted by the new law?
Workers -
For an accounting of low-income workers and families in Cleveland and what their expenditures and cost of living are like as compared to others around the country see the Policy Matters' "Getting by in Ohio: The 2013 Basic Family Budget" (07.10.13); "$10.10 minimum wage would help Ohio" (03.25.12) and, "Left behind: State of Working Ohio 2015" (09.06.15).
[click on images for enlarged view]
Employers -
A"Covered Employer" per the Ordinance "means any person or entity employing 25 or more employees in the United States during the previous calendar year and who otherwise meets the definition of "employer" under Section 34a of Article II of the Ohio Constitution." REF: Proposed Ord. 621-16 New Section 174.01 c.
An exemption is also made for employers licensed to make payment of a wage rate below that required by the State to employ individual employees with mental or physical disabilities that may otherwise adversely affect their employment, or the Employer can demonstrate an employee receives tips that combined with wages are equal or greater to the minimum wage rate for all hours worked. In such cases the wage rate required to be paid is not less than half, the minimum wage required by the Ordinance REF: Proposed Ord. 621-16 New Section 174.02 b.1&2.
Employment and the economy -
[to be added]
Employment and the economy -
[to be added]
Other Resources
Cleveland City Council research on national policy and recent changes to the minimum wage. click on the link for a larger formatted view:
Proposal 13: Designing Thoughtful Minimum Wage Policy at the State and Local Levels, by Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 06.16.14, an economic policy initiative at the Brookings Institution.
A copy of Proposal 13 is provided below. The study is very detailed and comprehensive and covers the following summarized issues:
- The Challenge - Rising Equality and stagnant wages; decline in the minimum wage.
- A New Approach - State & City level policies; costs and benefits; impact on wages, employment, poverty and prices.
- Is there enough empirical evidence to support increasing the minimum wage to half the full-time median wage?
Considering the study's suggested approach of utilizing the "median" wage of a geographic area (50-60%), the following table provides a cursory look at our metro area's median and mean hourly wages and what a $10, $12, or $15 increase would look like in terms of a percentage of the median income.
Note that a median wage is suggested as using a mean wage would pick up very high, i.e. top 1-5% salaries that would not be impacted by changes in employment, pricing and the economy.
Note that a median wage is suggested as using a mean wage would pick up very high, i.e. top 1-5% salaries that would not be impacted by changes in employment, pricing and the economy.
In addition, the metro area is not representative of the specific geography of only the City of Cleveland. Ideally we need to obtain median hourly wage data for just the City of Cleveland to understand more specifically what the percentages would look like for a maximum minimum wage increase.
Using the measure of a percentage of median hourly wages, a maximum rate of a $10 to $12 minimum wage seems possible without seeing significant negative impacts to workers, businesses, prices and the economy. A $15 minimum wage, even projected out through an incremental increase to 2022 is questionable in terms of the high percentage rate as compared to the current and potential future median wage.
More data is needed on the City of Cleveland's historical and project median hourly wage.
Using the measure of a percentage of median hourly wages, a maximum rate of a $10 to $12 minimum wage seems possible without seeing significant negative impacts to workers, businesses, prices and the economy. A $15 minimum wage, even projected out through an incremental increase to 2022 is questionable in terms of the high percentage rate as compared to the current and potential future median wage.
More data is needed on the City of Cleveland's historical and project median hourly wage.
by: Arindrajit Dube, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Economic Policy Institute Wage page; articles and resources.
Minimum Wage Mythbusters. Department of Labor
Effects of raising the minimum wage: Research and key lessons. Journalists Resources, 10.19.2015, A project of the Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center and the Carnegie-Knight Initiative.
Are Wages Flat or Falling? Decomposing Recent Changes in the Average Wage Provides an Answer. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, 03.27.15
New York Economists Support a Statewide $15 Minimum Wage; Recent academic research shows it’s good for workers, businesses and the economy. Fiscal Policy Institute, 03.14.16
State of Working Ohio 2014. Policy Matters Ohio, 08.31.14
A $15 US Minimum Wage: How the Fast-Food Industry Could Adjust Without Shedding Jobs by Brian Cummins
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Important Council Meetings, week of April 4th - Ward 3 appointment, RTA service/rate proposal, RNC security plan
The council schedule for the week of April 4th is a busy one. The following important topics will be discussed in our Caucus and Committee Hearings:
Here are the most notable items, check below and here for the full schedule.
- Recommendation, discussion, caucus vote on Ward 3 appointment
11:00 am, Monday April 4th - Caucus of Council, Large Conference Room.
- Development, Planning and Sustainability & Finance Committees, 1:00 pm, Monday April 4th
- Ord. No. 380-16, By Council Member Cimperman. Authorizing the Director of Capital Projects to issue a permit or permits to Downtown Cleveland Alliance, its successors and assigns, to encroach into the public right-of-way of various locations within the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Service Area with banners to be attached to utility poles (by separate permission); and authorizing Downtown Cleveland Alliance to coordinate a banner program for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Service Area.
Remarks by Director of Office of Capital Projects: See Legislation.
RELIEVED BY COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND PROPERTIES.
- Swearing-in (anticipated), New Ward 3 Council member, Kerry McCormack, 7:00 pm, Monday April 4th, Cleveland City Council Meeting, Council Chambers,
- Utilities Committee, 1:30 pm, Tuesday, April 5th
- The Utilities Committee will hold a special briefing on the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Storm Water Management Program.
- Transportation Committee, 10:00 am, Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
- There will be a special briefing by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority on a proposed rate hike in 2016 for its public transportation services.
- Safety Committee, 1:00 pm, Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
- There will be a special meeting of the Safety Committee to review and discuss the RNC Convention Security Plan. At this time Division of Police Chief Calvin Williams and Deputy Police Chief Edward Tomba will brief the Committee members on the following items:
- The RNC
- RNC Procurement.
- Neighborhood police deployment during the RNC Convention.
- There will also be representatives from the Division of Emergency Medical Service, and Division of Fire to present a briefing on the emergency safety plan for the RNC Convention on the following items:
- The RNC Convention
- Mutual Aid/Contracted Services
- There will also be representatives from the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee present as well to make comments and answer questions on the RNC Convention.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Cleveland City Council considers regulations for limited/transient lodging (Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO...)
Cleveland City Council held its' first hearing today to review the Jackson's Administration's proposed legislation, Ordinance 30-16, to regulate limited/transient lodging.
Our hearing followed the most recent agreement struck between Cuyahoga County and Airbnb that will have Airbnb begin to pay the County's excise tax, bed tax of 5.5%.
The legislation as introduced would require a homeowner (vendor) or agent (Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, FlipKey, etc.) to collect and remit to the City the City's transient occupancy tax, bed tax of 3%.
The legislation separates two classes of operators. The first would be an owner occupied vendor that would be required to reside in the property 51% of the time in a calendar year. The owner-occupied vendor would be limited to rentals of no more 91 total days in a year and no more than 30 continuous days of a single renter. A second class of vendor that would decide to rent for more than these limits would be required to obtain the proper use for rental occupancy and file and pay the city the existing required rental registration fee of $35.00 per year per rental unit.
There was lively discussion and presentations given by representatives of the City's Departments of Law and Building and Housing and from an official and then Greater Cleveland Area Hosts of Airbnb. Main issues expressed included concerns for safety standards, concern for over-regulation and clearing the understandings of use of a rental registration for no-owner-occupied units.
Cleveland City Council's Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee will be scheduling additional hearings on the legislation. Some suggestions for amendments that were brought up included passing legislation with a sun-set provision or review requirement in one or two years; eliminating or increasing the 30/90 day periods to 60 days continuous rental use and the maximum number for owner-occupy vendors to up to 180 days.
Below is a copy of the Cleveland legislation as introduced. Below that document is the Cuyahoga County statement regarding their agreement with Airbnb.
30-16-EOrd-Enact 337.251 193.121 Amd Var 193. Re Limited Lodging and Tr.. by Brian Cummins
Additional Resources:
Our hearing followed the most recent agreement struck between Cuyahoga County and Airbnb that will have Airbnb begin to pay the County's excise tax, bed tax of 5.5%.
The legislation as introduced would require a homeowner (vendor) or agent (Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, FlipKey, etc.) to collect and remit to the City the City's transient occupancy tax, bed tax of 3%.
The legislation separates two classes of operators. The first would be an owner occupied vendor that would be required to reside in the property 51% of the time in a calendar year. The owner-occupied vendor would be limited to rentals of no more 91 total days in a year and no more than 30 continuous days of a single renter. A second class of vendor that would decide to rent for more than these limits would be required to obtain the proper use for rental occupancy and file and pay the city the existing required rental registration fee of $35.00 per year per rental unit.
There was lively discussion and presentations given by representatives of the City's Departments of Law and Building and Housing and from an official and then Greater Cleveland Area Hosts of Airbnb. Main issues expressed included concerns for safety standards, concern for over-regulation and clearing the understandings of use of a rental registration for no-owner-occupied units.
Cleveland City Council's Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee will be scheduling additional hearings on the legislation. Some suggestions for amendments that were brought up included passing legislation with a sun-set provision or review requirement in one or two years; eliminating or increasing the 30/90 day periods to 60 days continuous rental use and the maximum number for owner-occupy vendors to up to 180 days.
Below is a copy of the Cleveland legislation as introduced. Below that document is the Cuyahoga County statement regarding their agreement with Airbnb.
30-16-EOrd-Enact 337.251 193.121 Amd Var 193. Re Limited Lodging and Tr.. by Brian Cummins
Additional Resources:
- Airbnb, Cuyahoga County strike deal to collect 5.5 percent lodging tax
By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer, 3/18/2016 - Regulating short-term rentals a smart move
by N. Thomas Weems, Policy Matters Ohio on March 28, 2016, - Airbnb Policy Blog
- Airbnb Community Compact
- Airbnb: A Case Study in Occupancy Regulation and Taxation
Roberta A. Kaplan† & Michael L. Nadler, The University of Chicago, The University of Chicago Law Review.
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