November 21, 2022 Dear Senator Portman and Senator Brown: We, the undersigned organizations representing children, adults, and families across Ohio, believe all of us, regardless of what we look like or where we live, deserve to make ends meet and have opportunities to follow our dreams. That’s why we are
A new report by Policy Matters Ohio shows the potential benefits of two state thriving families tax credit proposals. Both proposals would help nearly 986,000 Ohio families and 1.8 million children under 18 and provide eligible families with an average tax refund of roughly $1,000 a year, according to the
Introduction Parents and caregivers work hard, day in and day out, to give children the best possible start in life. But today, tens of thousands of families struggle to afford the basics, like groceries, rent, utilities and child care. A low-wage job market and rising costs make it more difficult
Board President McGuire, Vice President Manchester, and members of Ohio’s State Board of Education, my name is Will Petrik and I am the budget researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our mission is to create a more prosperous, equitable, sustainable and inclusive Ohio. Our work focuses on
Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released data from the American Community Survey (ACS), which provides state and local estimates on income, poverty, housing, and health insurance coverage, and the well-being of people nationwide. Today’s data release covers 2021. The 2021 estimates show typical Ohioans are not faring as well as
All parents deserve to go to work knowing their kids have a safe, nurturing place to go, and all early educators deserve a wage that allows them to live with security and dignity. However, for decades, too many local, state and federal leaders haven’t devoted the resources to support children,
At some point, we all need to take time away from work to recover from illness, to care for a sick or dying family member, or to care for and bond with a newborn or newly adopted child. Workers need time to care for themselves and their family without risking
Former State Senator Ray Miller’s interest in media and Black newspapers started at an early age. He remembers his family moving to Columbus and all the kids in the neighborhood asking if he wanted to box or play some ball. Sen. Miller said, “My priority was always reading.” He spent
Co-Chairs Senator Cirino and Representative White, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Ohio’s families and the child care workforce. My name is Will Petrik and I am the Budget Researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our mission is
Co-Chairs Senator Cirino and Representative White, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Ohio’s families and the child care workforce. My name is Will Petrik and I am the Budget Researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our mission is
By Will Petrik of Policy Matters Ohio and Katherine Ungar, J.D. with Children’s Defense Fund of Ohio All of us, no matter what we look like or where we live, deserve to thrive and pursue our dreams. COVID-19 forced businesses and schools to close, upending life throughout the country. Many
Doing the Work: Ohio Federation for Health Equity and Social Justice
Today, many public health experts and advocates are tackling the “social determinants of health” in response to a growing body of research that show how a person’s environment, housing, family life, race and income all play a role in shaping their well-being and health outcomes. Ron Browder, a native of