By Matt Sledge Proponents of liquor privatization in at least eight states hope they can drink their budget deficit pain away. Privatization, which would do away with post-Prohibition regulations on the sale of distilled spirits, could herald a new era of easy access to liquor and perhaps cheaper prices. The
By Jessica Brown White Hat Management, Ohio’s largest charter school company and the subject of controversy, has applied to open a fourth dropout-recovery charter school in Cincinnati. The company has not picked a location. Its application filed with the Ohio Department of Education indicates that the school will be located
By Olivera Perkins Peope receiving unemployment benefits in Ohio will probably see the maximum weeks they can get slashed. Falling jobless rates and a Republican proposal in Congress calling for fewer weeks are among the reasons for the projected change. Here Joyce Redmond (left) talks with Helen Venes (right) about
But health care alone can’t make up for losses almost everywhere else by Lisa Bernard-Kuhn Mercy Health expects to hire 300 new doctors, nurses and staff this year on top of 400 added since 2009. The Christ Hospital is adding 150 workers, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare has hired 20 new
by Russ Zimmer The state’s unemployment rate dropped sharply for the second consecutive month, but, once again, it’s not all good news. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent in December. That’s down from 8.5 percent in November and a 28-year
More Ohioans say they have stopped searching for jobs. By Randy Tucker Ohio’s unemployment rate nose-dived in December to its lowest level in three years, according to data released Friday by the Department of Job and Family Services. But the drop from 8.5 percent in November to 8.1 percent last
By Teresa Dixon Murray The nation’s largest discount store chain is now offering low-cost help in filing income tax returns. Consumer advocates, however, caution that the offer is deceptive and say filers could end up with extra fees. Walmart is the first large, general merchandise retailer to tip-toe into tax
By Pam Kasey As the gas industry ramps up the extraction of gas from the Utica and Marcellus shales in Ohio, a proposal for increasing the natural gas severance tax in Ohio could come about in late winter. The subject was raised Dec. 19 by Policy Matters Ohio. “Part of
By Mary Kuhlman The oil and gas industry is anticipating a boom in natural gas and possibly oil production in Ohio, but a new report finds the state could lose out on a half-billion tax dollars that could help offset drilling-related costs. According to research by Policy Matters Ohio, if
Commentary As Ohio seeks to cash in on expanded oil and natural-gas exploration and production, it needs stronger rules governing drilling procedures to protect Ohioans’ health and safety. Gov. John Kasich’s administration cannot dismiss new seismic evidence that draws potential links between the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking,
By Kate Giammarise Blade staff writer If you worked in 2011 and your household made less than $50,000, United Way of Greater Toledo wants to do your taxes for free. It’s part of a combined effort with Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz and a
Editorial Gov. John Kasich believes the private sector does many things better than state government. That’s why he privatized the state’s economic-development efforts, and proposes leasing the Ohio Turnpike, privatizing management of liquor operations and the lottery, and selling off or privatizing some prisons. So far, the governor’s faith has
