Council President, Mayor Support Equal Rights Amendment to Charter
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2014
For More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Today, Council President
Andrew J. Ginther and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced their support for a proposed Equal Rights Amendment that would bolster the City’s non-discrimination laws and, for the first time ever, add civil rights protections to the Columbus City Charter. The Columbus Charter Review Commission advanced the amendment as part of their comprehensive review that is intended to improve, clarify and modernize the Charter.
“Columbus is a smart, open and inclusive city that celebrates diversity and promotes equality and opportunity for all people,” said Council President Ginther. “I would like to thank the Columbus Charter Review Commission for advancing a bold recommendation that recognizes the progress we have made as a city and reflects the values that define us.”The Commission was briefed on the proposed Equal Rights Amendment during its May 22 meeting, and voted yesterday to advance the amendment for consideration as part of the Commission’s formal recommendations. The amendment as written would incorporate the following language in the Charter:
“No officer, employee, or agent of the city shall deny equal access to city services, or equal opportunity in employment and promotion, or the benefits thereof, to any person on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, family or military status, or any other status that is protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.”“I commend and applaud the Commission for affirming the importance of promoting equality and our duty as a city to uphold the individual rights of Columbus residents,” said Mayor Coleman. “Columbus is a 21st century city, and our Charter must continue to advance the principles and ideals we share as a community now and in the future.”While Columbus City Council has enacted non-discrimination protections in the City Code, an Equal Rights Amendment to the Charter would ensure that no future Council could overturn the City’s non-discrimination policies through legislative action. Currently, the Charter is silent on civil rights protections with the exception of protections for political speech for City employees.
The Charter Review Commission will hold its next scheduled meeting at 1pm on Thursday, June 26, in conference room 225 at City Hall. A public hearing will be held at 5:00 pm that evening in Council Chambers. All commission meetings are open to the public. The meeting schedule, videos of past meetings, and meeting materials are available at columbus.gov/CharterReviewCommission.
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