Unemployment rate holds at 4.5% Today, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in partnership with the Department of Labor, released job and unemployment indicators for December. Ohio employers added 3,500 jobs in December. Ohio’s unemployment held at 4.5%, while the U.S. rate ticked down 0.1 percentage points to
Unemployment dips below U.S. rate Today, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in partnership with the Department of Labor, released job and unemployment indicators for November. This report was delayed because the federal government shutdown led to a lapse in BLS data releases. The takeaway: Ohio saw substantial
Unemployment down as labor force shrinks Today, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in partnership with the Department of Labor, released job and unemployment indicators for September. This report was delayed because the federal government shutdown led to a lapse in BLS data releases. October data is not
CORRECTION: Where indicated, this analysis was edited to correctly state that ADP reported decreases of 3,000 private-sector jobs in August 2025 and 29,000 in September 2025. The government reopened November 12 after a 43-day shutdown — the longest on record. National data from September was released yesterday, though the Office
The Ohio House of Representatives is set to pass House Bill 303, which would establish a pilot program for community energy in Ohio. Policy Matters Ohio testified in favor of the bill. Policy Matters Climate & Sustainability Researcher Molly Bryden issued the following statement: “Community energy would bring broad economic
Where does the data for JobWatch come from? Policy Matters’ JobWatch data comes from the Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services’ (ODJFS) Ohio Labor Market Information resources, in particular the Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation data and Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment Estimates. ODJFS releases these data monthly, derived
Energy customers could allow utilities to reduce their energy use, improving grid reliability, and lowering utility bills for Ohioans Proponent testimony on HB 427 before the House Energy Committee, 136th General Assembly Chairman Holmes, Vice-Chair Mathews, Ranking Member Rader, and members of the House Energy Committee, thank you for the
Community-scale solar energy development can protect families from rising costs and stabilize our grid by generating more power here in Ohio. Proponent testimony on HB 303 before the House Energy Committee, 136th General Assembly Chairman Holmes, Vice-Chair Mathews, Ranking Member Rader, and members of the House Energy Committee, thank you
New data illustrate impact by district In FY 2026-27, Ohio’s legislature will distribute some school funding through supplements that increase disparities across economic lines, further shortchanging districts with high levels of student poverty, according to a new brief from Policy Matters Ohio. The brief accompanies a series of district-level factsheets,
Great public education isn’t cheap, but Ohio spends far more on tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations Download the factsheet Every child deserves a supportive, well-resourced learning environment where they can thrive. In Ohio, access to high-quality education too often depends on where a child lives, their race, or
Ohio employers added 5,400 jobs in July. The state’s unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage points to 5.0%, after holding at 4.9% for three consecutive months – among the worst rates in the U.S. Inflation hovered at 2.7%, no change from June. The takeaway: Ohio saw job growth for a
AI and other tech are consuming our electric grid
This piece originally appeared on Cleveland.com on October 19, 2025 Across Ohio, technology companies are racing to build data centers — massive facilities necessary for digital technologies ranging from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency. And a handful of billionaires are raking in the profits, with Ohioans paying the price for the