Residency Requirements Struck Down

A state supreme court ruling will prevent the city of Cleveland from requiring its employees to live within the city limits. City leaders fear neighborhoods will decline, while some firefighters and other city employees say they'll stick around.

1 minute read

June 17, 2009, 8:00 AM PDT

By Larry Schooler


The ruling pleased police patrolmen and made some city leaders nervous that city employees would flee and take valuable property and sales taxes with them. Opponents of the requirement say the city should focus on improving schools rather than enforcing the law.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

"The 5-2 ruling deals a crushing blow to Cleveland, which requires its employees to live within city limits. The state legislature set up a showdown over the issue in 2006 by approving a law that made such requirements illegal. Cities contend that home-rule provisions of the Ohio Constitution allow for local residency laws."

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in Cleveland Plain Dealer

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