Jackson Says He'll Fight To Keep Cleveland Home Rule Intact
State Measure Would Eliminate Residency Requirement For Workers
UPDATED: 6:42 pm EST December 21,
2005
CLEVELAND -- There is a push in the Ohio State House to pass a measure that would do away with a Cleveland law requiring city workers to live in the city.But Mayor-elect Frank Jackson's first order of business when he takes office in January may be fighting this measure, reported 5 On Your Side government specialist Tony Gaskins.The home rule law applies to all city of Cleveland employees, from street cleaners, to firefighters and police, to the mayor."We will challenge that if it does pass the state house, not just because of residency, but because of the issue of home rule," said Jackson.Jackson says he met with the State House speaker and vowed to fight any measure striking down the city's residency law."We are a chartered municipality with the right to pass laws that protect the health safety and welfare of our community, and this to us is a home rule issue and we believe the state of Ohio doesn't have the right to tell us what we can or cannot do," said Jackson.Jackson insists he's not worried about where city workers would choose to live if the residency requirement were struck down, but rather the city's ability to enact laws in its own best interest.
Copyright 2005 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.










