As the new Bibb administration and Cleveland City Council members settle into their jobs, they should keep in mind the priorities that citizen groups raised during last year’s election campaign. There are lots of ideas for making Cleveland healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable.
Here is a sampling:
PolicyBridge Urban Agenda — Perspective of Greater Cleveland’s African American-led think-and-action tank. After decades of programs aimed at reducing poverty and racial disparities, Cleveland is still one of the poorest cities in the nation. What sort of bolder, more comprehensive, and more inclusive approach will create real progress?
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress Neighborhood Platform — Perspective of Cleveland neighborhood development organizations. How should the city collaborate with neighborhood groups and residents on housing, economic development, neighborhood infrastructure, and municipal modernization?
United Way of Greater Cleveland Anti-Poverty Agenda — Perspective of a major funder of social service programs. How to be an advocate, convener, and supporter of anti-poverty policy initiatives?
Greater Cleveland Partnership All In Plan — Perspective of the region’s business community. In addition to promoting the usual corporate priorities of low taxes and lax regulations, how can Northeast Ohio achieve economic growth by fostering innovation, inclusive talent development, and appealing communities?
Clevelanders for Public Transit Day One Actions — Perspective of the advocacy group for safe, accessible, affordable, reliable, and sustainable public transit. What tangible things can the city do right away to support public transit?
Bike Cleveland Mobility Priorities — Perspective of Cleveland’s bike and safe streets advocacy group. How can Cleveland build out a compelling bike infrastructure for existing and potential cyclists and transform itself into a less car-dependent, healthier, greener, and more equitable city?
Cleveland Climate Action Plan — Perspective of the city’s Office of Sustainability, advisory committee, residents, and technical experts. How can Cleveland live up to its global responsibility to reduce carbon emissions while creating good, green jobs, promoting social and racial equality, and improving urban resilience?
Ohio Environmental Council Cleveland Environmental Policy Platform — Perspective of the statewide environmental nonprofit organization in consultation with other local and regional organizations working on sustainability. How can the city which helped inspire the birth of the modern environmental movement make progress on complex issues at the intersection of race, health, income and wealth, climate change, drinking water, healthy waterways, transportation, food access, housing, and land use?
For a progressive policy collection which combines many of these agendas, see our Lake Effects summary. And watch for the final recommendations from Mayor Justin Bibb’s transition team, which are supposed to be released soon.