Ohio consumers need Congress to repeal “rent-a-bank” rule
Yesterday, United States Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) announced their intention to introduce a Congressional Review Act to repeal the so-called True Lender Rule. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulation allows payday lenders to evade state interest rate caps and prey on vulnerable […]
Rescue Plan should boost Ohio, not tax cuts
Attorney General Yost is off-base in suing to block the law Attorney General Dave Yost today asked the U.S. District Court of Southern Ohio to block the portion of the American Rescue Plan that prohibits states from using money from the plan for tax cuts. Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller issued the following […]
The American Rescue Plan is a lifeline for Ohioans
Today, President Joseph Biden signed a historic $1.9 trillion aid package. The American Rescue Plan provides resources we all need to rebuild from the pandemic recession and targets relief to those who have been hit hardest. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert released the following statement: “Over the past year, Ohioans of all races, […]
Expand transportation choices, improve health for all, leverage public resources for public good
Policy Matters releases three “Budget Bites” with targeted recommendations While the state budget touches all aspects of Ohioans’ lives, for many of us, the process is complicated, confusing and inaccessible. Each year, Policy Matters Ohio releases a series of “Budget Bites” that analyze small portions of the state budget and provide policy recommendations. Today, the […]
Make the unemployment comp system more accessible
Claimants need to be involved in improvements, Policy Matters Ohio testifies Ohio policymakers should make the unemployment compensation system more accessible to claimants so that Ohioans who have been laid off can obtain benefits on a timely basis. That was the key message in testimony delivered today by Zach Schiller, Policy Matters Ohio research director, […]
Policy Matters opposes barriers to basic supports, arbitrary cuts to regulations
SB 17 would cut food aid, Medicaid and unemployment compensation; SB 9 would arbitrarily scrap regulations Policy Matters Ohio provided written testimony against two pieces of legislation moving in the Ohio Senate today. Both would undermine the ability of the state government to fully serve all Ohioans, no matter where they live or how much […]
Black Ohioans pay higher share of income in state taxes than white Ohioans
Black Ohioans are more likely to pay a higher share of their incomes in state and local taxes than white Ohioans, according to new analysis from Policy Matters Ohio and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). The state’s wealthiest residents — who are largely white — pay a lower share of their incomes […]
Senate bill would create new tax break for affluent Ohioans
Yet the recently unemployed pay state income tax on their benefits A bill pending in the Ohio Senate Ways & Means Committee would create a major new tax break for some Ohioans who make more than $250,000 a year, while leaving the state income tax as is on unemployment compensation (UC) Ohioans received last year. […]
Gov. DeWine’s budget plan falls short
Today Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled his state budget plan for fiscal years 2022-23. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert releases the following statement based on an initial scan of the proposal: “Now is the time our state leaders should be using all the tools at their disposal to help all Ohioans, no matter their […]
Policy Matters’ fact sheets and maps show how the federal earned income tax credit helps Ohioans
Organization marks 15th EITC Awareness Day Today marks the 15th annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. Organized by the IRS, advocates, officials and service providers across the country are making sure that working people who are paid low wages know about the credit, and how it helps them support their families. To mark […]
Transformative move away from incarcerating youth requires fully funded, accountable alternatives
The coronavirus has spread rapidly in Ohio’s correctional facilities, including youth prisons. As of this month, there were 119 positive cases in Ohio’s three youth prisons, which are all under quarantine. A total of 144 staff had tested positive and one had died. The COVID-19 pandemic adds new urgency to the need for Ohio lawmakers […]
President Biden must take bold action on day one
As former Vice President Joseph R. Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States today, Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert makes the following statement: “The people have spoken and they have chosen new leadership for our nation. Not only do we have a new president, a Black woman of […]