Ohio’s opportunity to decarbonize transportation
Federal funding for equitable clean transit investments Ohio has an opportunity to draw down large federal incentives to jumpstart a statewide transition to clean transportation, according to a new report from Policy Matters Ohio. To make the most of this funding, policymakers will need to invest more in clean, reliable, and accessible public transit. “Ohio’s transportation […]
Economic security helps keep kids in school and out of the school-to-prison pipeline
Attendance, juvenile justice, and Ohio’s budget linked in new report A combination of economic factors is contributing to an upward trend in chronic absenteeism in Ohio’s schools, according to Secure Connections: How economic security helps kids get to school and slows the school-to-prison pipeline, a report released today by Policy Matters Ohio. “Statewide attendance data suggest chronic […]
Policy Matters introduces budget platform
50 recommendations for the coming budget season Policy Matters Ohio today released its comprehensive proposal for the FY 2026-27 state budget. A Moral Document: How the budget can bring out the best in Ohio presents the organization’s priorities for the coming budget season: 50 recommendations for using state revenues to benefit all Ohioans. “We often hear that budgets illustrate what […]
State budget season begins
Policy Matters releases guide for advocates Yesterday, researchers presented Policy Matters Ohio’s Guide to the State Budget to partners and other budget advocates. The guide is now available to the public. “Ohio’s state budget is paid for by the people’s pooled resources,” said researcher Kathryn Poe, the guide’s author. “It belongs to all of us, and all […]
Ohio still needs a raise
With minimum wage off the November ballot, Policy Matters economist discusses pathways to $15 Last Wednesday was the deadline for turning in petition signatures to put a $15 minimum wage on the Ohio ballot this November. Signature gatherers determined they had not yet reached the required number in all Ohio counties and did not submit […]
“Black Women Best” in Ohio
Policies to support Black women — and everyone By crafting public policy to specifically benefit Black women, Ohio’s leaders can improve economic conditions, health outcomes, and overall well-being for Ohioans of all races and genders. Policy Matters Ohio’s Juneteenth report, Black women can thrive in Ohio: Implementing a Black Women Best framework, explains how. The report […]
Another gift to the wealthy
Even the nation’s highest sales tax would only recoup half the revenue lost to income tax repeal New data confirm that a proposal to eliminate Ohio’s personal income tax would be yet another handout to the wealthiest Ohioans, do little for the majority of filers, and require a highest-in-the-nation sales tax to recoup even 50% of […]
Decriminalizing mental illness
Policymakers can reduce involuntary commitments by filling the crisis care gap Forced treatment for mental illness — known as “involuntary commitment,” “civil commitment,” and “pink-slipping” — highlights the overlap between Ohio’s health care and criminal legal systems. A new Policy Matters report, Involuntary commitment and the crisis care gap, describes how the practice strains both systems, and […]
Cleveland communities see need for care response
New research spells out Clevelanders’ complex feelings about crisis response, first responders, and public safety The people most likely to interact with emergency responders should have a say in the county’s developing care response program, say local advocates and researchers. A new report from Policy Matters Ohio and REACH (Responding with Empathy Access and Community Healing) highlights […]
Policy Matters applauds property tax relief bill
Senators Louis W. Blessing III and Hearcel F. Craig introduced a bill this week that would provide property-tax relief for the hundreds of thousands of Ohioans whose tax bills amount to more than 5% of their income. Policy Matters Ohio applauds the introduction of this bipartisan bill and calls on legislators to move swiftly to […]
With a $15 minimum wage ballot initiative likely in November, state senator proposes partial measure
Today, Ohio Senator Bill Blessing gave sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 256, a measure that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour for most Ohio workers and create a refundable Ohio Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A citizens’ ballot measure now gathering signatures for inclusion on Ohio’s ballot would also raise the wage […]
Common jobs still pay too little
Despite improvements, too many Ohioans left out of jobs recovery and pay increases Report author Michael shields spoke to Ideastream’s The Sound of Ideas about his findings. Last year, four of Ohio’s 10 largest occupations paid their median worker so little they would qualify for and likely depend on food aid to feed a family […]