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After three Cincinnati City Council members were arrested on federal bribery charges this past year, their colleagues are offering voters the chance to change how corruption is handled at City Hall.
Issue 1 and Issue 2 both pertain to responding to council members who have been indicted for crimes.
“It is about restoring public trust for the citizens of Cincinnati,” Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman told The Enquirer in February. “We obviously know 2020 was rough for this council.”
Issue 1
Issue 1, introduced by Smitherman, would require the city to appoint a special prosecutor in cases where there is statewide action to remove a council member from office. This could happen after the council member has been indicted for a felony or a criminal complaint has been filed related to the council member’s official duties. This would prevent a conflict of interest where the city solicitor would essentially have to prosecute his or her boss.
Issue 1 would also prevent a council member – once indicted for a felony or a criminal charge related to official conduct – from changing his or her successor designation certificate. Essentially, each council member currently chooses a colleague or colleagues to select a replacement should the council member be unable to complete his or her term. This amendment would prevent an indicted council member from changing the person who selects that replacement.
Issue 2
Issue 2 would allow Cincinnati City Council to suspend a colleague who has been indicted – but not yet convicted – for a felony that relates to council duties.
The suspension would require seven votes (the council member who is indicted would not get a vote). The suspension would be paid, but if the council member were ultimately convicted, the city could take back any money paid during the suspension.
If a council member pleads guilty or is convicted of a felony that relates to council duties, the council member would automatically forfeit his or her position on council.
Issue 2 would also require new council members to complete ethics training within 60 days of taking office and, as with Issue 1, would prevent a council member who is indicted for a felony related to his or her official duties from changing his or her successor designation certificate.
Issue 2 was submitted by councilwoman Betsy Sundermann.
Who gets to vote on these?
These are Cincinnati issues, so only city voters will see issues 1 and 2 on their ballots.
Can I vote for both?
Yes. The issues do not contradict each other, so if both pass, both will become law.
Who is opposed?
Cincinnati City Council voted to put the issues on the ballot. There is no organized opposition to either issue.
Can I read the full text?
The full text of each ordinance is available on the city council website. You can find Issue 1 by searching for Ordinance 45-2021. Issue 2 is Ordinance 46-2021.
Have a question you don't see addressed here?
Email reporter Hannah Sparling at [email protected].
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