Today, President Joseph Biden signed a historic $1.9 trillion aid package. The American Rescue Plan provides resources we all need to rebuild from the pandemic recession and targets relief to those who have been hit hardest. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert released the following statement: “Over the past
Today Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled his state budget plan for fiscal years 2022-23. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert releases the following statement based on an initial scan of the proposal: “Now is the time our state leaders should be using all the tools at their disposal to help
The coronavirus has spread rapidly in Ohio’s correctional facilities, including youth prisons. As of this month, there were 119 positive cases in Ohio’s three youth prisons, which are all under quarantine. A total of 144 staff had tested positive and one had died. The COVID-19 pandemic adds new urgency to
As former Vice President Joseph R. Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States today, Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert makes the following statement: “The people have spoken and they have chosen new leadership for our nation. Not only do we have a new
Dear Director McCloud: Thank you for your leadership during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate your commitment to keeping Ohioans safe and healthy. We are reaching out on behalf of Policy Matters Ohio to urge you to prioritize early childhood educators for vaccine distribution, alongside K-12 educators. The negative health
Late Sunday night, Congressional leaders finally reached an agreement on a $900 billion COVID aid package. Details of the deal are emerging, and the bill language is not yet available. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert released the following statement: “When the pandemic began, our leaders told us we’re
Teachers in Ohio earn, on average, 15.2% less in wages each week than non-teachers with similar education and experience levels in the state, according to a report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). That so-called wage penalty continues to deter college-bound students from entering the teaching profession and leads to
Senator Rob Portman 448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Portman, Thank you for your openness to the new bipartisan COVID Emergency Relief Framework unveiled Tuesday by Senators Romney, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski and some of your Democratic colleagues. We agree with your statement that “the Senate must
More than 700,000 workers applied for unemployment compensation last week, according to data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor. In Ohio, some 17,531 applied for regular unemployment benefits last week, more than double the number a year earlier. In addition, another 39,502 Ohioans filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment
Today, the U.S. Senate is set to confirm President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Sen. Sherrod Brown opposed the confirmation, Sen. Rob Portman has said he will vote in favor of Coney Barrett. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert issued the following statement: “Today,
Yesterday, the federal government’s negotiations over a new, broad COVID-19 relief package collapsed. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert released the following statement about what a lack of federal aid means for Ohioans: “Most Ohioans have been doing everything we can to keep ourselves, our families, and neighbors safe:
Columbus wage theft ordinance a win for workers, community and law-abiding businesses Last evening, the Columbus City Council voted to create the Wage Theft Prevention and Enforcement ordinance. This law creates new consequences for employers who skirt state and federal wage and hour laws. It creates a commission on wage
