In metropolitan areas around the country, immigrants are contributing to the economy in very close proportion to their share of the population, according to this report by the Fiscal Policy Institute. Their examination of the role of immigrants in the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States shows that
Ohio’s manufacturing sector is a prime first target for achieving energy savings and emissions reductions. To reduce our dependence on polluting fuel, most of which is purchased from outside Ohio, we can help our manufacturers better manage energy use. Savings could be reinvested in facilities, products, and workers. We recommend
Julie Van Wagenen, a summer 2009 Policy Matters intern, produced a series of videos showing Policy Matters staff explaining the organization, the work we do, and our values. Take a look: Amy Hanauer Zach Schiller Pam Rosado David Rothstein Shanelle Smith
The Franklin County EITC Coalition continues to reach new heights, providing free tax preparation for more than 4,000 clients last tax season. The Coalition, compromised of more than 30 partners, brought more than $5 million of federal and state tax refunds into Franklin County. The Coalition seeks to help individuals
When compared to entering kindergartners in district neighborhood schools, children entering charter and magnet schools in several of Ohio’s urban school districts performed significantly better on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy (KRA-L), which is taken as students begin school and reflects preparation for school rather than outcomes from school. A separate
Policy Matters has conducted research on payday lending in Ohio for the last four years. Our initial research found that the payday lending industry grew from just over 100 stores in the mid?1990s to more than 1,600 stores in 2007. Stores were present in 86 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Our
Despite having one of the best-crafted payday lending laws in the nation, Ohioans are still paying triple-digit interest rates on payday loans. This report confirms initial findings that payday lenders in Ohio are deliberately circumventing the new Ohio Short-Term Loan Act, which among other protections instituted a maximum 28 percent
Ohio’s cost of electricity, pegged at 8.96 cents per kilowatt hour in the latest release from the Energy Information Administration, is 10 percent lower than the national average of 9.86 percent. However, most of our electricity is generated with one of the cheapest fuels – coal – and in the
The 2009-2010 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, released today by Policy Matters Ohio and the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), raises concerns about the financial security of Ohio families. The United States as a whole does a poor job compared of relieving poverty, reducing debt, and ensuring health insurance and retirement.
Ohio needs a 21st century transportation system for a 21st century work force. Having a strong public transportation system is in the public interest. Mass transportation offers mobility to Ohioans without automobiles, provides an economical option for commuters, eases congestion, reduces overall energy use and carbon emissions, and adds to
Postal Regulatory Commission Field Hearings on Optimization and Consolidation Initiative Independence, Ohio Testimony by Pamela Rosado Outreach Coordinator, Policy Matters Ohio September 16, 2009 Read Testimony
In the first comprehensive overview of how the states are reporting on their use of Federal Stimulus Funds, the national research group Good Jobs First reviews and ranks the official Recovery Act websites of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It evaluates the quality of each state’s online
