2005-58 Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Resolution No. 2005 -58 WHEREAS, cutting guaranteed benefits will hurt the elderly because Social Security is the only secure source of retirement income for most Americans, providing at least half the income of nearly two- thirds of older American households and lifting more than 11 million seniors out of poverty; and WHEREAS, diverting resources from Social Security to fund private accounts will threaten guaranteed survivor and disability benefits, thus harming working families — as roughly one in five workers dies before retiring and nearly three in 10 become too disabled to work before reaching retirement age; and WHEREAS, privatizing Social Security will burden state and local governments, as cuts in guaranteed benefits will increase demands for public assistance at the very moment growth in the federal deficit due to privatization induces the federal government to shift greater responsibilities onto states and localities; and WHEREAS, Congress should not rush through drastic and damaging changes in Social Security that undermine its family income protections but instead, should take the time needed to develop careful and thoughtful reforms that address Social Security's funding needs without slashing benefits or exploding the deficit. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH OLMSTED, COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA AND STATE OF OHIO: SECTION 1: That the Mayor and this Council urge Congress to reject proposals to divert money out of Social Security to fund private accounts. SECTION 2: That the Mayor and this Council further urge Congress to carefully study a variety of potential changes that will address Social Security's problems while ensuring the program will continue to meet its purpose of providing income protection and economic security for America's families. SECTION 3: That the Mayor and this Council further urge Congress to insure that any changes adopted by Congress strengthen Social Security's family income protections without slashing guaranteed benefits or exploding the deficit. SECTION 4: That a fully executed and attested copy of this Resolution be sent to the U.S. Senators and Representatives for Northeastern Ohio, to other appropriate officials, and to the Coalition to Protect Social Security, 3250 Euclid Avenue, Room 250, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. 2