Public Policy and Community Information Research

Forum (Virtual) Focuses on Meet the New Cincinnati City Council Members
Thursday, December 2, 2021 Noon

On November 2nd, Cincinnati voters elected six new City Council members. This is the highest turnover of City Council members in years. At the next Community Issues Forum, they will introduce themselves and discuss why they ran and the immediate issues that concern them. The members include, Jeff Cramerding, Reggie Harris, Mark Jeffreys, Scotty Johnson, Meeka Owens, and Victoria Parks. This Forum via Zoom takes place on Thursday December 2nd at twelve noon.

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Forum (Virtual) Focuses on “The Horrors Of Gerrymandering” – A Halloween Campaign Update On Congressional Redistricting Reform In Ohio
Thursday, October 28, 2021 Noon

Since the last redistricting process in 2011, voters by a wide margin have passed two Ohio Constitutional Amendments aimed at ending political party gerrymandering in this state. As of today, the special Commission established to draft new state representative districts has drawn new maps that ignore the guidelines of the Amendment.

Meanwhile, members of the Ohio General Assembly work in secret drawing up new Congressional districts. These “horrors” will be reviewed at the Forum, and Catherine Turcer and other redistricting reformers will outline what citizens can do to rectify this refusal by a Republican controlled General Assembly to obey Ohio law. As usual, time will be set aside for questions and comments by Forum participants.

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Forum (Virtual) Focuses on The Ballot Issues That Confront City And County Voters This Election
Thursday, October 14, 2021 Noon

What are the ballot issues that Cincinnati and Hamilton County voters must decide this election cycle? At the next Community Issues Forum, attendees will hear presentations about the County’s Children’s Services Levy ( a renewal ), the Hamilton County Great Parks Levy, and Issue III, a proposed Amendment to the Cincinnati City Charter. Speakers will include Representative Tom Brinkman and Darrick Dansby, Jens Sutmoller of the Children’s Services Levy Campaign, and Todd Palmeter, Executive Director of the Great Parks of Hamilton County. This Zoom Forum takes place on Thursday October 14th from noon to 1:00PM.

The Children’s Services Levy represents a request to County voters to continue funding for current programs that assist children with critical needs, while the Great Parks Levy seeks approval for proposed new funding for park improvements. Meanwhile, Issue III is a complex City Charter Amendment proposal that includes a number of changes to how the City is governed. Besides hearing the presentations on these ballot proposal, attendees will be invited to ask questions and make brief comments. VIDEO OF  TOM BRINKMAN EXPLANING ISSUE 3 

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Forum (Virtual) Focuses on David Mann and Aftab Pureval Present Their Case for Becoming Mayor
Thursday, September 30, 2021 Noon

Cincinnati voters will elect a new Mayor this fall. After eight years in this Office, John Cranley will step down after the November election. At the next Community Issues Forum, Councilman David Mann and Aftab Pureval, the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, will make their cases why they should be elected to this position. This Forum via Zoom takes place at 12:00 noon on Thursday September 30th.

Many critical issues will confront the new Mayor and City Council once in office. Furthermore, questions have been raised recently about the proper roles of the Mayor and the City Manager in administering City policies and services. After their formal presentations, the two Mayoral candidates will respond to questions. As usual, questions and comments are invited from Forum attendees.

Forum (Virtual) Focuses on What Are The Critical Issues That The New City Council And Mayor Need To Address After The November Election? 
Thursday, September 16, 2021 Noon

At the first Community Issues Forum of the fall, a panel of community leaders will describe those issues that need immediate attention from the City candidates who win terms on November 2nd. They are: Josh Spring, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, Joele Newman, Lead Community Organizer for the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, David Altman, environmental attorney and civic leader, and Connie Roesch, President of Cincinnatus.  Connie Roesch video presentation
Josh Spring video presentation
Dave Altman video presentation
Joele Newman video presentation

Forum (Virtual) Focuses on A Campaign To Make The Extension Of The Child Tax Credit Permanent – A Forum Featuring Senator Sherrod Brown
Friday, June 25, 2021 Noon

On Friday June 25th, the Community Issues Forum will hold a special forum featuring Senator Sherrod Brown. The Ohio Senator is championing making permanent the extension of the child tax credit as an effective way to reduce poverty in this country. Other speakers will include a local advocate for the child tax credit and a member of Senator Brown’s a staff.

In the large COVID-relief bill passed by Congress in March, an extension of the child tax credit was made to low-income families. This temporary extension provides monthly payments of $300 dollars for children five years old and younger and $250 for older children. Preliminary evidence shows that this extension if made permanent could significantly reduce poverty. For this reason, Senator Brown and others are seeking public support to convince Congress to do just that. As usual, questions and comments will be invited from the Forum attendees.