STUDY: Trump’s Trade, Tax, Industrial Policies Have Let Down Midwest Manufacturing Workers, Communities
Cleveland, OH — Manufacturing workers in four key Midwest states that voted for President Trump have been the most hurt by Trump’s trade and industrial policies, according to a new analysis released today by experts Andrew Stettner at The Century Foundation (TCF) and Mike Shields at Policy Matters Ohio, with support from The Groundwork Collaborative. […]
Fresh Start Act could clear pathways to work
Policy Matters calls on Senate to follow House in passing bill More than 850 laws and administrative rules limit access to work for Ohioans with a criminal record. The Fresh Start Act, House Bill 263, takes aim at the 630 that limit job opportunities through occupational licensing. Policy Matters Ohio Researcher Michael Shields submitted testimony […]
Unemployment compensation bill is unneeded
SB 282 overlaps with existing law, could create confusion, Policy Matters testifies The Ohio Senate has not passed legislation since the pandemic struck addressing the problems experienced by tens of thousands of jobless Ohioans when they tried to apply for unemployment compensation. More than half a million Ohioans are unemployed. Yet the Senate Insurance and […]
Balancing the scales
Columbus wage theft ordinance a win for workers, community and law-abiding businesses Last evening, the Columbus City Council voted to create the Wage Theft Prevention and Enforcement ordinance. This law creates new consequences for employers who skirt state and federal wage and hour laws. It creates a commission on wage theft with the authority to […]
Newly released Census data show Ohioans fared better by end of expansion
COVID-19 and recession have rolled back progress Today, the Census Bureau released data from the American Community Survey which provides information on the well-being of people living in states and communities. Today’s data release captures 2019, the final chapter of the longest economic expansion in history, brought to an abrupt end by COVID-19 this spring. […]
Inadequate “skinny” relief bill fails, even with Portman’s support
Today, the U.S. Senate voted down a “skinny” COVID relief bill that fell far short of what Americans need during the pandemic recession. Policy Matters Ohio Senior Project Director Wendy Patton released the following statement: “The Senate’s ‘Targeted Proposal’ missed the mark to help struggling families get back on their feet and local economies recover. […]
Resetting and unrigging Ohio’s economy
State of Working Ohio 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic and recession found an Ohio workforce more productive than ever, but highly vulnerable to financial shock from years of attacks on workplace protections, insufficient funding of the public sector, and other policies that favor the very wealthy and corporations over working people. This year, Policy Matters Ohio’s […]
Protect consumers during pandemic and recession
The Ohio Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee today voted to pass legislation that will dismantle the Ohio Debt Adjuster’s Act, which regulates for-profit debt settlement companies. Debt settlement companies claim to help consumers reduce their debts, but investigations from both Republican and Democratic led federal and state consumer protection agencies have shown that the […]
Good policies can protect workers during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing yet most of Ohio’s economy has reopened. People are going back to work without proper safety measures in place. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has failed to issue workplace safety mandates. Without federal leadership, state leaders must act to protect working people, their families and […]
Pandemic budget cuts could mean more in store in 2021
State lawmakers should use all tools to protect Ohioans Last May, while the pandemic and recession sapped state revenue, Gov. Mike DeWine cut funding for education and health care. As policymakers prepare for the next budget year, a Policy Matters Ohio report shows how the cuts set a lower baseline for critical programs like education, […]
Reimagine Appalachia coalition says RNC agenda raises questions for region
More details needed about how party’s plans will help region ReImagine Appalachia is a diverse coalition of organizations from West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Last month we put forward a policy blueprint to rebuild Appalachian communities through public investments that will put people to work in good-paying jobs while protecting people’s health and the […]
Reimagine Appalachia coalition says DNC platform presents bold vision for the future
Coalition says Party needs to do more to prioritize Appalachia and other rural communities ReImagine Appalachia is a diverse coalition of organizations from West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio that put forward a policy blueprint to rebuild Appalachian communities through public investments that will put people to work in good-paying jobs while protecting people’s health […]