100*: Number of organizations that have signed on to the Reimagine Appalachia blueprint, the massive, four-state project helmed by Senior Researcher Amanda Woodrum. The policy platform outlines a “New Deal that Works for Us,” prioritizing good union jobs in a 21st century economy centered on creating a healthy, sustainable future
Appalachians have a long history of hard work, resilience, and coming together to face enormous challenges. Our region is a place of ingenuity. A place where families and neighbors look out for one another. Now is the time to put our ingenuity to use and imagine a 21st century economy
204,000: If Congress doesn’t allocate enough support in the next stimulus bill, Ohio could lose 204,000 child care slots, according to a report by Budget Researcher Will Petrik. That’s why the next federal stimulus package must contain at least $50 billion to support the child care industry. We released the
13 so far: Number of hearings held by Ohio’s Senate Judiciary Committee for testimony on SB 3, a bill that would overhaul our drug sentencing laws. The bill has languished for more than a year and remains stuck in committee. Senior Researcher Amanda Woodrum and Digital Communications Manager Ben Stein
Amanda Woodrum & Ben Stein Summary of health note findings Two criminal justice reform bills under consideration in the Ohio legislature—House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3—promote treatment rather than incarceration for people struggling with addiction, and reduce felony barriers to future employment opportunities.[1] H.B. 1 expands and strengthens the
Those with high risk of COVID-19 may refuse work, obtain unemployment compensation Gov. Mike DeWine this week signed an executive order defining circumstances under which workers may refuse an offer to return to work and continue receiving unemployment compensation benefits. It includes those who are at high risk of contracting
Last week, Governor DeWine announced that he requested judges release 38 people from Ohio prisons in response to the growing COVID-19 crisis in the state’s corrections facilities. DeWine announced more releases today (167), with recommendations now totaling 205 individuals, but it’s not nearly enough to address the mounting risk of
Staggering new jobless numbers: COVID-19 is taking a huge toll on the Ohio economy and the lives of working people and families throughout the state. This week, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported that jobless claims reached 272,117 for the week ending March 28, up 84,328
The COVID-19 crisis has laid bare some inescapable truths: Everything is connected and every person matters. Now is the time to fight harder than ever to make sure everyone is protected and cared for: No exceptions. 269: Any Ohioan paid less than $269 a week won’t be eligible for unemployment
41: That’s how many days are left until we roast our founder, Amy Hanauer, in honor of Policy Matters’ 20th anniversary! Tickets are now on sale. 0.3%: Ohio jobs grew by 0.3% last year compared to the nation, which added 1.4% more jobs in 2019. Michael Shields says new data
2nd: This week we officially announced our second-ever executive director, Hannah Halbert! Hannah has been with Policy Matters for nearly 10 years, and most recently oversaw our work and wages research. She’s a smart and dynamic leader and we are so excited to see where she takes us! Get to
Good morning, Chair Roegner, Ranking Member Williams and members of the committee. My name is Zach Schiller and I am research director of Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with the mission of creating a more prosperous, equitable, sustainable and inclusive Ohio. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
