Policy Matters calls for more federal action to recover from the pandemic recession
Ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to Cleveland tomorrow, Policy Matters Ohio Communications Director Caitlin Johnson made the following statement. “Most of us believe that to have a healthy, thriving nation, we need healthy, thriving people. But for years, certain politicians pitted us against each other based on what we look like and how much […]
Expand opportunity and stabilize families with support for higher education, child care and kinship care
Policy Matters releases three “Budget Bites” with targeted recommendations Policy Matters Ohio released three “Budget Bites” today that point the way to expanding opportunity and creating stability for all Ohioans by increasing support for public higher education, child care and kinship care. During each state budget cycle, Policy Matters Ohio releases Budget Bites that analyze […]
Ending supplemental unemployment compensation is a mistake
Gov. Mike DeWine today announced that effective June 26, Ohio will end the $300-per-week federal unemployment compensation benefits for those who have lost their jobs to the COVID-19 recession. Hannah Halbert, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio, issued the following statement: “The federal response to COVID-19 demonstrated the power of government to tackle big problems […]
Despite lack of mandatory review, House budget bill lards on new special interest tax breaks
The budget approved by the Ohio House of Representatives contains new tax deductions likely costing tens of millions of dollars, as well as restoration of a special-interest sales-tax exemption for investment coins and metal bullion that has been repealed twice earlier by the General Assembly. In testimony today, Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller […]
Coalition launches campaign to fully, fairly fund Ohio public schools
Educators, parents, community groups and policy experts form All In For Ohio Kids Today, All In For Ohio Kids officially kicked off its campaign to fully and fairly fund Ohio’s public schools with a virtual press conference. The coalition, made up of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC), Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), Policy Matters Ohio […]
Policy Matters releases statement on the Derek Chauvin verdict and police killing of Ma’Khia Bryant
”We join countless people across the country in expressing our relief that a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges. George Floyd was a beloved father, son, brother and friend. The right verdict will never bring back him or the many others killed by law enforcement, but hopefully it will help restore some measure […]
Substitute House budget bill includes school funding reform, costly tax cut
Today the Ohio House of Representatives passed their version of the 2022-23 state budget. The House moved closer to fixing the state’s unconstitutional school funding system by moving the Fair School Funding Plan, currently under consideration in House Bill 1, into the budget bill. House lawmakers also added a 2% income tax cut that will […]
House budget: Tax cuts favored vs. support for key programs
Tax plan does nothing for the poorest, could cost double what’s estimated The 2% income-tax cut the Ohio House Republican majority proposed as part of the two-year state budget would go largely to the most affluent Ohioans, without doing anything to help Ohioans making less than $22,000 a year. That’s the key conclusion of an […]
$15 minimum wage would benefit 1.56 million Ohioans
A report released today by Policy Matters Ohio shows that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would benefit 1.56 million Ohioans; help move Black and brown workers and women closer to pay equality with white men; and inject $6.1 billion a year more into Ohio’s economy. Watch a recording of the press call […]
Ohio lawmakers should make the most of the American Rescue Plan
Policy Matters Ohio released today a set of recommendations for how state lawmakers should spend one part of the billions of federal dollars coming to Ohio thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): The funds that come straight to the state for lawmakers to use to retore and rebuild after the pandemic and recession. […]
Organizations, officials, community leaders call on state lawmakers to pass a People’s Budget
Today, Policy Matters Ohio and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative were joined by State Rep. Stephanie Howse and Portage County Treasurer Brad Cromes to call on state lawmakers to pass a 2022-23 state budget that cares for all people and communities, no exceptions. View a recording of the press conference here. Gov. Mike DeWine’s 2022-23 state […]
Policy Matters announces first union contract
Staff proud to stand in solidarity with frontline workers Since our founding 21 years ago, Policy Matters Ohio has valued the role unions play in creating workplace democracy, advancing equity and affirming the dignity of work. Today, we are proud to announce the ratification of our first contract with staff, represented by Workers United Policy […]