More than a decade later, 114,000 more Ohioans live in poverty compared to before the Great Recession of 2008. Now Ohioans, like the rest of the country, are not only living through a public health crisis, but also a recession. A new Policy Matters Ohio report offers a roadmap for
For the most part, Ohio’s privatized economic development agency uses funds from the state’s liquor operations to give businesses tax breaks and subsidies. A new report by Policy Matters Ohio outlines how JobsOhio can help rebuild Ohio after the COVID-19 pandemic by making sure everyone benefits from the recovery. Created
It’s pouring. Instead of big budget cuts, use the rainy day fund April’s state tax shortfall of $867 million shows how the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating the state budget. The governor announced the shortfall will be addressed through cuts totalling $775 million, mostly to education ($465 million) and Medicaid ($211
Introduction The people who live in Ohio do the work and make the purchases that keep the state’s economy moving. COVID-19 has infected over 20,000 Ohioans and killed more than 1,100 as of May 5, 2020.[1] In March, Gov. Mike DeWine closed parts of the economy to slow the spread
As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic nearly 7,000 Ohioans are ill and over 350 are found to be infected by the virus every day. As the economy was shut down to contain the illness, almost 700,000 Ohioans filed for unemployment compensation. When people lose their jobs, many lose health
As Ohioans face down the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Policy Matters points the way for policymakers to marshal the state’s collective resources to keep everyone safe today and rebuild for the future. To keep Ohioans safe, Governor DeWine closed huge portions of the economy, including restaurants, movie theaters,
Introduction We are in this together, and as Ohioans face down the COVID-19 pandemic, we are only as safe or secure as the most vulnerable person. The virus does not discriminate, but employment discrimination, disparities in health care access and treatment, and the absence of job protections put people with
Scrutiny of $9 billion in tax breaks should not be postponed State and local governments face soaring needs but dwindling tax collections as the COVID-19 epidemic grinds the economy to a near halt. State lawmakers moved to open up the rainy day fund for possible use and federal lawmakers passed
When our elected leaders properly fund public programs, they protect us from swings in the economy and natural disasters, like the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic that is flooding hospitals and shutting down the economy. The pandemic is costing millions of people their incomes and health coverage. As the COVID-19 virus spreads,
The sweep of the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting Ohioans hard. Last week 139,000 filed for unemployment, up from 6,500 the week before. Hundreds of thousands more face the loss of income and health care. Just as Ohioans are turning in record numbers to the critical services our taxes pay for,
Everyone wants assurance that if they or their loved ones get sick, they’ll get the care they need. We want to know that even during tough times, we can still pay the rent and put dinner on the table. Part of the reason we pool our resources in the form
Limited measure could provide immediate relief, but Senate may hollow it out House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, will provide some relief to workers, families and states – if it makes it intact through the Senate. Senior Project Director Wendy Patton released the following statement calling on
