Cleveland Council Passes Legislation For Petition Process

CLEVELAND, OH -- The City of Cleveland City Council enacted regulations requiring transparency in the circulation of initiative or referendum petitions within the city at the Nov. 20 meeting.

The legislation requires petition committees to disclose the funding source of the drive, the amount of the funding and who got paid for collecting or circulating petition signatures.

The new law requires that petitioners file with the clerk of council an itemized statement that includes all monies or things of value paid, given or promised to circulators.

Council President Kevin Kelley (Ward 13), sponsor of the legislation, said it brings more transparency to the petition process. The legislation mirrors regulations already adopted by the state. But because Cleveland is a chartered city, it had to write the regulations into its own code of laws.

Also adopted at the Nov. 20 meeting was a resolution urging shoppers to patronize local businesses during this holiday season. The resolution, co-sponsored by council members Kerry McCormack (Ward 3) and Matt Zone (Ward 15), declares Nov. 25 through Christmas Day as “Shop Local and Handmade Month in the City of Cleveland.”

The legislation notes that “Cleveland is home to many shops, markets and events that sell handmade gifts.” And, according to the National Retail Federation, the average American consumer will spend $935 during the holiday season on gifts, food and other seasonal items.

Photo By Mark Holan