PoliticsOhio: School Districts Cutting, Not Asking for Levies
Ellen Belcher Click through for audio of interview Ellen Belcher, who’s filling in for Emily McCord, interviews Wendy Patton of Policy Matters Ohio about a recent survey that the liberal-leaning think tank did of Ohio’s schools. The state’s 600-plus school districts have been hit with a two-year $1.8 billion cut in funding. That means their […]
Overhaul Ohio’s oil and gas laws
Editorial board Gov. John Kasich is right to call for an increase in Ohio’s severance tax on oil and gas and a new impact fee to help localities deal with the consequences — in road wear, as just one example — of expanded drilling and “fracking.” But it’s not enough. If shale oils and gases […]
Education strong determinant with work success: Most jobless Ohioans have no more than a high school diploma
By Randy Tucker, Staff Writer Most labor experts agree that education is the strongest determinant for success in the modern-day workplace, and new government job forecasts indicate more education is better for job seekers. Regardless of industry, the fastest growth is projected for occupations that require at least a master’s degree. Those professions will grow […]
Ohio State of the State: Where Does Education Stand?
Mary Kuhlman COLUMBUS, Ohio – Education is expected to be a focal point as Iowa Governor John Kasich delivers his State of the State address today at an elementary school in Steubenville. But when it comes to the state of education, a new report finds alarming levels of fiscal distress at districts across Ohio because of state […]
Group wants higher Ohio taxes on high-income earners
By the Youngstown Vindicator Policy Matters Ohio says the state could generate about $650 million annually by levying higher income tax rates on wealthy Ohioans. PMO says that by reinstituting the state income-tax rate of 7.5 percent on income higher than $250,000 and creating a new 8.5 percent tax on income higher than $500,000, the […]
Study finds few have enough savings to get through emergencies
By Sheryl Harris More than a quarter of Americans have little or no savings to help them survive an emergency that leads to a three-month loss of income, according to a new report on the health of Americans’ finances. And that’s only if they can sell their homes or cars to get fast cash. The […]
Working Poor: Almost Half Of U.S. Households Live One Crisis From The Bread Line
By Alexander Eichler What does it mean to be poor? If it means living at or below the poverty line, then 15 percent of Americans — some 46 million people — qualify. But if it means living with a decent income and hardly any savings — so that one piece of bad luck, one major […]
BlueGreen Apollo: Ohio Ready to be America’s Energy Gateway
For immediate releaseErin Bzymek 202-706-6916 Eric Steen 612-325-6110Full report Report on Green Manufacturing in Ohio Reveals More Investment Necessary to Sustain Growth The Ohio BlueGreen Apollo Alliance today released a report that provides a roadmap to create thousands of jobs in Ohio, ensuring the state remains competitive in the global marketplace as America’s Energy Gateway. […]
Akron teachers’ negotiations under more scrutiny with November levy looming
By John Higgins The Akron school board’s decision to sit out the March primary and instead try for a new-money levy in November raises the stakes at the bargaining table for teachers, whose two-year contract expires this year. Both sides agree that a negotiation demonstrating the teachers’ willingness to sacrifice could help win support for […]
In Privatizing Liquor Operations, States Hope They Can Drink Down Deficits
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 move is being aggressively supported […]
Embattled company applies to open fourth school
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 in Cincinnati. It will be […]
99 week maximum for jobless benefits may drop as low as 59 weeks
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 job opportunities at a […]