MVOC and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative descends on state capital

MVOC and Ohio Statewide Action Update

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a statewide network of ten faith, labor, and community organizing groups came from across Ohio for a day of action in Columbus today. 180 Leaders from Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown, Warren, Cincinnati, Cleveland, East Cleveland, and Dayton descended on the state capital to push around four key state legislative issues: foreclosure prevention and mediation, land bank reform and expansion, public benefits transparency, and criminal justice reform.

Highlights of the Day:

* Attorney General Rich Cordray and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner both attended the Kick Off rally to endorse and support the Ohio Organizing Collaborative's work.

* Twenty Teams of Grassroots Leaders from UFCW 75, AMOS, UFCW 1059, ESOP, NOAH, MVOC, and OBSC conducted 50 meetings with State Senators and Representatives on key state legislative issues.

* 100 leaders visited Daryl Dever's office, a top lobbyist for the Mortgage Bankers Association and an opponent of key provisions of foreclosure legislation.

* Partnered with key policy groups for the day action including COOHIO, The Kirwan Institute, and The Ohio Justice and Policy Center.

* Met with top officials in the Attorney General's office to strategize around a criminal justice reform platform for 2010.

* Won additional Bi-Partisan Support for County/City Landbank Reform.

Update on the progress of the Land Banking bill:

Yesterday, the House Local Government Committee passed the county land bank bill (HB 313) out of committee on a 10-1 vote. The bill will expand the current county land bank authority to an additional 28 counties and will next go before the full House for a vote.

Courtesy of Greater Ohio, direct link here.