As we navigate a world that often feels filled with chaos, confusion, and disillusionment, it is vital that we reground ourselves in the “why” behind our mission to build power together and drive real change in Cuyahoga County. To meet this moment, we are launching a series of GCC Teach-Ins.
These sessions are opportunities to gather, listen to each other, learn from each other, ask questions, and see exactly how our active issue campaigns are impacting the lives of our neighbors.
Whether you are looking to get re-engaged with our current work or want to understand how our local efforts connect to broader policy shifts, these sessions will offer clarity and strategy as we move forward together.
Please review the upcoming schedule below and join us as we turn information into real action.
The Center for Budget and Policy Teach-In
The Center for Budget and Policy will host a virtual Teach-In to review how recent legislation and federal shifts will impact Northeast Ohio.
What to expect: We are currently facing some of the largest proposed cuts to food assistance and health care in U.S. history. Recent federal projections suggest that shifts in Medicaid funding could result in Ohio losing up to $33 billion over the next decade. These cuts mean fewer services for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Why this matters: Organizations like KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and the Health Policy Institute of Ohio have projected that over the next decade (2025–2034), federal Medicaid funding to Ohio will decrease by approximately $33 billion.
This drop is primarily driven by the implementation of federal work requirements for the expansion population (roughly 80 hours/month) and the elimination of the “enhanced” federal matching rate that has been in place since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law in 2010.
Roughly 340,000 Ohioans could lose coverage between Medicaid and the ACA exchanges because of these administrative shifts.
The local impact: Staff from the Center will help us dive into the tangible effects these cuts will have on quality of life in Northeast Ohio. We’ll discuss their “state fact sheet” and what a potential 10% drop in Medicaid enrollment means for our local hospitals and community clinics. This is a research-focused meeting designed to arm us with the data needed to protect our communities, so bring your questions.
When: February 10 at 10 a.m.
Where: Via Zoom
Register Here
Battle for Democracy Teach-In
2026 is a critical year in politics, featuring high-stakes federal, state, and local elections in Ohio and Cuyahoga County.
What to expect: With the U.S. Senate, State Supreme Court, and County Executive races all on the ballot. 2026 is a defining year for the future of Cuyahoga County and all of Ohio. We will review the data and “lessons learned” from our 2024 impact to refine our strategy.
In this election cycle, the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Auditor offices are all open seats. We will also see a high-stakes rematch for the U.S. Senate between incumbent Jon Husted and former Senator Sherrod Brown. Locally, Cuyahoga County will decide its next County Executive and key judicial seats.
The Turnout Gap: In 2024, while statewide turnout was roughly 72%, Cuyahoga County lagged behind at 63%. Even more concerning, some of our largest precincts in Cleveland saw turnout as low as 47%.
If we can help close that 9% gap between our county and the rest of the state, we don’t just show up at the polls, we decide elections.
What to expect: This is a space for listening and strategy. We want to hear your questions and ideas about the 2026 landscape. In a state where elections are often decided by thin margins, our goal is to build an even more powerful, informed voting bloc that can demand accountability from every candidate.
When: February 19 at 6 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom
Register Here
Pre-Trial Justice Teach-In
Our Pre-Trial Justice team has been monitoring our court system and uncovering urgent changes that must be made to the arraignment process.
What to expect: Building on the success of our “Court Watch” program, we are launching a new initiative for GCC members to attend arraignments and learn more about pre-trial injustice.
Currently, over 60% of people in Ohio jails are being held pretrial. They are legally innocent but remain behind bars simply because they cannot afford bail. Far too many people are essentially jailed before they are tried, and sentenced before they are ever charged.
The moral mandate: In Cuyahoga County, the average stay for those detained pretrial can stretch to over 100 days. Research also shows that individuals held for more than 14 days are significantly more likely to receive longer incarceration sentences than those released sooner, regardless of the crime. We can and must do better.
Join Sharnell Woods and the team to learn about their work to build a system that ensures everyone receives the justice they deserve, regardless of who they are or where they are from.
When: March 27 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom
You are welcome and encouraged to join any or all of these events. Together, we are making Greater Cleveland greater for all of us.
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