As FirstEnergy awaits a decision on its proposed electric security plan after a similar proposal from American Electric Power (AEP) was rejected by regulators last month, broader themes about Ohio’s energy future are emerging in the debate. The plan recommended by FirstEnergy would have Ohio electricity consumers pay for operating
Ohio Governor John Kasich’s plan to increase the severance tax is getting some support from an unlikely source Ohio Public Radio’s Andy Chow reports. “They understand the business community—they understand the value of the product and they also understand the needs in eastern Ohio.” That’s a rare statement from Wendy
The oil and gas industry’s top trade group hopes the recent downturn in prices and activity spurs Ohio Gov. John Kasich to lessen his severance tax proposal. Kasich is expected to unveil his budget plan next week, and might give an idea of what his severance tax plan is at
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s push to provide seven days of paid sick leave to all U.S. workers would affect about 2.2 million Ohioans who don’t currently have that benefit. WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s push to provide seven days of paid sick leave to all U.S. workers would affect
Ohio’s minimum wage increased on Jan. 1 by 15 cents for non-tipped employees and seven cents for tipped employees. Ohio workers will now make $8.10 an hour for non-tipped employees and $4.05 an hour, plus tips, for tipped employees, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. The minimum wage increase
Ohio ranks 18th among states where low- and middle-income taxpayers pay larger share of their income in state and local taxes than the state’s most affluent residents, according to a study released Wednesday by Policy Matters Ohio. The poorest fifth of Ohio households earning less than $18,000 a year paid
As the relative standard of a livable wage sparks discussion and legislative shifts across the country, pay for minimum wage employees in Ohio was boosted 15 cents on Jan. 1, to $8.10 an hour. Though that’s higher than the federal standard of $7.25, it’s still less than referendums for $10
Raising the severance tax on oil and gas drillers has been a major issue in Ohio. Just when it seemed like policymakers were poised to take a big step towards a change — other issues got in the way. Andy Chow examines the 2014 stalemate in the severance tax debate.
Lawmakers, Clark County businesses looking for a long-term solution. Ohio still owes almost $1.4 billion in debt to the federal government for its unemployment fund, costing Ohio businesses millions because they have to pay higher federal taxes to repay the debt. However, state lawmakers and Clark County business owners said
News sources reported today that Ohio’s unemployment rate, which was 5.7 percent in July and August, dropped to 5.6 percent for September, “slightly better than the national rate” of 5.9 percent for September. One headline, using monthly job statistics released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, shouted,
Ohio’s workers are more productive and better educated than in past decades, but that isn’t necessarily reflected in their paychecks, according to a new report. Ohio productivity grew by nearly 67 percent between 1979 and 2013, while median hourly wages fell by 1.1 percent when adjusted for inflation, according to
