Our Platform

Our Asks:

  1. An equitable increase in PILOT payments from Cornell University

  2. Full transparency from Common Council and those negotiating on behalf of the City

  3. Opportunities for public comment prior to the final re-negotiation of the PILOT MOU

  4. The June 2024 MOU must include the creation of a community stakeholder PILOT oversight commission

What Cornell Owes Us:

For Our City:

  • Significantly increased funding for Public Workers

    • Improving salaries for lowest-paid Public Workers

    • Begin replacing roads at recommended rate (5%/year) and improving bike lanes and crosswalks

    • Increase Ithaca Fire Department contribution

    • Sidewalk snow removal

  • Reparations pilot program for black Ithacans

  • Increased contribution to general fund

For Our County:

  • Funding for mental health services through Family and Children’s Services of Ithaca and/or other providers

  • Funding for permanent supportive housing (in line with Home Together Tompkins)

For Our Public Transit System:

  • Fare-free and expanded busses

    • Current: bus pass program + direct annual contribution

    • Proposed: direct annual contribution sufficient for fare-free TCAT, adequate staffing, and wages

For our Children’s Schools:

  • Supporting raises for the Ithaca Teachers, Educational Support Personnel, Teachers’ Assistants, and Substitutes Association bargaining units in upcoming contract negotiations to allow the district to recruit and retain the talent that works most directly with students

  • Free breakfasts and lunches for all students

  • Investing in community-schools model for helping to meet the social/emotional and mental health needs of our students

  • Sustainability-focused item — electric buses and other infrastructure

In addition, Cornell profits thanks to our community, and they should share the fruits of those profits with the community. As a result, we should get at least 1% of annual capital gains on Cornell’s endowment. Depending on funds received, this may be used to:

  • Build/purchase public housing, especially to shelter unhoused Ithacans, supporting Home Together Tompkins plan

  • Through a community-led allocation process

    • Provide one-time grants to local nonprofits

    • Fund bridge replacement/renovation

    • Fund wastewater treatment renovation/improvement

    • Fund improvements/renovations for parks and public spaces

    • Invest in flood mitigation

    • Purchase electric school buses

Do you agree?