Public can act to stem elder abuse, report says
Despite breakthroughs such as increased state and federal funding for elder-abuse prevention, the mistreatment of seniors remains low on the list of public priorities, a new report says. And it’s not likely to gain much traction unless Americans start seeing elder abuse as a problem that can – and must – be tackled through new […]
Springfield labor leader concerned about plan to cut unemployment
Bill’s sponsor says state must reform system to pay off debt. Jobless benefits for Ohio workers could be cut by more than half under a plan by state lawmakers to shore up the state’s unemployment system. But some critics, including a Springfield union leader, have argued the changes would harm many workers while doing little […]
New Report Finds Weatherization Programs Declined 26 Percent Since Energy Efficiency Freeze Became Law in 2014
Revival of robust weatherization programs could create 2,400 jobs, generate $1.77 billion in energy savings over 13 years COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new study released today by Policy Matters Ohio and NextGen Climate America, in partnership with Green for All and Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, found that Ohio’s 2014 freeze on energy efficiency standards […]
Lawmakers consider reducing number of weeks Ohioans can receive unemployment compensation
A bill in the Ohio House that would overhaul Ohio’s unemployment compensation system wouldn’t make the system truly solvent even while it would impose barriers to benefits that go beyond what any other state has done. That was the gist of testimony prepared for delivery this week at the Ohio House Insurance Committee by Policy […]
Ohio jobless rate dips to 4.4 percent
by: Randy Tucker This piece originally appeared in the Dayton Daily News in November 2015. Ohio’s unemployment rate in October fell to its lowest level in more than 14 years, dipping to 4.4 percent from 4.5 percent the previous month, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Friday. The state added 30,800 jobs […]
Report doesn’t diminish calls for tax hike on drilling in Ohio
Ohio lawmakers are not ready to raise the state’s severance tax on hydraulic fracturing, according to conclusions from a recent report on taxing oil and gas drilling in the Buckeye State. The findings, however, won’t stop a grassroots effort pushing a rate hike that would put Ohio on par with other fracking regions. The 56-page […]
Donald Trump’s fracked-up claim on shale’s economic impact in Ohio
In the third Republican debate, Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich got into a fracas over fracking. It started when debate moderator John Harwood asked Kasich whom he was talking about when Kasich said he’s been hearing “crazy” things on the campaign trail. Kasich didn’t name names but listed proposals from the two outsiders […]
Uber’s fast growth brings praise, controversy
Popular transportation network claims to have 1,000 drivers in Dayton. If you frequent any of the area’s bars and restaurants, chances are you’ll be rubbing elbows with someone who will pull out their smartphone and hail an Uber driver when it’s time to go home. The popular transportation network — which claims to have 1,000 […]
Ohio groups back 5 percent severance tax on production
From the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on Thursday: Several Ohio organizations are calling for a 5 percent severance tax on oil and gas production to help pay soaring costs of the shale drilling boom to local communities and Ohio taxpayers. Ohio’s effective tax rate on oil and gas is less than a half-percent, far behind most […]
Are Ohio’s food stamp work requirements racist?
Welfare spending advocates are up in arms over Ohio’s use of food stamp work requirement waivers, calling the waivers unfair and even racist. The problem, according to progressive think tank Policy Matters Ohio, is state officials’ refusal to waive food stamp work requirements for as many Ohioans as possible. Adults who want food stamps through […]
New study: Ohio tax policy favors the rich over poor
A new study suggests Ohio tax policy is heavily in favor of the affluent, while hitting the poorest the hardest. The state tax changes made in the past three years have given the top-earning 1 percent of Ohioans an average of $17,618 annual reduction in taxes, while the bottom fifth, who make less than $20,000 […]
Ohio among worst states nationally for food security, report finds
Ohio now ranks third in the nation for families forced to skip meals or eat less because they didn’t have the money or resources to put food on their table. Advocates for the poor blame the increase on a state decision to cut off food stamps to tens of thousands of Ohioans. According to a […]