New data show wages up for many, but four of Ohio’s 10 most common jobs pay near poverty
Today Policy Matters Ohio released analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Survey. The analysis shows that although employers have increased pay for many of Ohio’s most common jobs, too many jobs held by hundreds of thousands of Ohioans pay near poverty level wages. The report […]
Policy Matters welcomes new development director
Michelle Unangst brings 20 years of nonprofit experience This month, Michelle Unangst joined Policy Matters Ohio as the organization’s new development director after a long career supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Unangst provided development support for Policy Matters’ close partner, Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE), as well as neighborhood social service hubs […]
Policy Matters releases “menu” of options for effectively spending influx of federal funds
State and local officials can increase opportunity and expand prosperity by prioritizing those most harmed by COVID Thanks to bold action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, communities across Ohio are receiving an influx of federal dollars. Local officials are making plans right now about how to spend them. […]
Policy Matters Executive Director weighs in on “State of the State”
Tomorrow, Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) will deliver his State of the State address. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert has released the following statement about what she’d like to hear from DeWine: “From Cleveland to Clermont County, most Ohioans are good neighbors. We proved that during the COVID pandemic when we donated to local […]
Making the most of Intel for everyone
General Assembly can ensure that aid to corporation benefits all Ohioans The DeWine administration has promised nearly $2 billion in public funds to back Intel Corporation’s major investment in new semiconductor production facilities. That largesse must be accompanied by measures to maximize the benefits for all Ohioans, Policy Matters Ohio outlined in a report issued […]
Policy Matters Ohio speaks out for students’ freedom to learn our full history
Organization issues statement opposing HB 327 On Wednesday, March 9 at 11:30 am the Honesty for Ohio Education coalition will host a press conference in the Ladies Gallery of the Statehouse. The coalition is there to defend Ohio students’ freedom to learn and educators’ freedom to teach a full, honest history of our nation. Policy […]
Biden’s Ohio visit shows Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s impact
State and local leaders can go even further President Joe Biden will tour sites in Cleveland and Lorain today to highlight the expected impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year. Some of these federal funds will be awarded competitively and some of the funds will be distributed according to a federal funding formula. […]
Richest 1% of Ohioans pay $51,000 less a year in state taxes since 2005
The richest 1% of Ohioans contribute an average of nearly $51,000 per year less in state tax revenue than they did 17 years ago, according to a new report by Policy Matters Ohio and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). Since 2005, many state legislators and governors pushed corporate and income tax cuts […]
Ohio minimum wage tracks inflation to $9.30 in 2022
Wage still worth far less than 1968 peak Ohio’s minimum wage will adjust to $9.30 per hour on January 1, from its current level of $8.80. The change comes as an automatic adjustment since Ohio voters passed a minimum wage increase in 2006 and tied it to inflation so it would keep pace with rising […]
Major Ohio CEOs make 322 times pay of typical employee
Fifty-four of Ohio’s largest employers paid their CEOs a median of 322 times what they paid the typical employee in 2020, according to a new report by Policy Matters Ohio. The federal Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies provide the ratio of CEO pay to the median employee — the person whose pay falls in […]
Use ARP funds to build healthy and safe communities from the ground up
Lawmakers should give the public a chance to weigh in on spending federal funds News reports indicate that Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican leaders of the Ohio legislature plan to direct $250 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to law enforcement and other first responders. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert released the […]
Policy Matters takes deep dive into 2022-23 state budget so you don’t have to
New tool helps advocates, reporters and everyday Ohioans track budget items they care about The 2022-23 state budget signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in July contains thousands of pages that will direct how Ohio lawmakers will spend the state’s public resources over the next two years. Each year, after the process is over, Policy Matters […]