A Central Ohio leader and activist known for fighting for progressive causes and equitable elections has died.
Sam Gresham Jr., 76, was chairman of the democracy-focused Common Cause Ohio and a frequent a political analyst on Columbus on the Record, where he argued for equitable elections and progressive taxing.
During his most recent appearance in July told listeners what he thinks of Ohio Republican-led efforts to reform property tax, as the burden grows to be too much for many.
"This is the result of unintended consequences of monkeying with the tax structure across the state. Everything from sales tax, individual tax, corporate tax, they're monkeying with it," Gresham said.
He said schools are always the last to get money from the state, because, "It's all about trickle-down, and trickle down has never worked."
He criticized state lawmakers for not taxing the wealthy in Ohio to adjust property tax burdens more equitably.
"I don't think this administration or any Republican administration, is willing to do what's necessary. And one of those is raise taxes for corporations and high-income individuals to balance the scenario on the income, but they're not willing to that," he said.
Gresham was the president and CEO of the Columbus Urban League for 20 years, until 2005.
He's also worked as chief of staff for the Franklin County treasurer's Office, for the City of Columbus and was the executive director of the Ohio Commission on African American Males.
For the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Gresham once wrote about why he's fought for fair elections in Ohio.
"Gerrymandered districts undermine the economic and political power of poor people, working class people and people of color," he wrote. "And if you don't have economic power, control over your community, good housing or good education, then your ability to grow as a community is stifled. You can get up and go vote for the candidate you believe will represent your interests, but if the district isn’t drawn fairly, your vote doesn’t carry as much weight because the maps have been designed to favor those already in power."
According to the Columbus Metropolitan Club's biography of Gresham, he produced the longest-running black talk show in television history, the first black soap opera, and the first African-American history lecture series on network television.
