Medicaid cuts threaten 218,000 of Ohio’s essential workers
Federal policymakers must boost Medicaid, protect working people Many Ohioans working in essential frontline industries could lose health benefits if federal policymakers don’t increase funding for Medicaid or if they weaken protections for people who receive health care through the program, according to a new analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The […]
Boost food aid to fight hunger, bolster economy
The COVID-19 relief plan released by Senate Republicans Monday doesn’t do enough to help Ohioans put food on the table or stabilize the economy, new analysis from Policy Matters Ohio shows. Joined by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and Children’s Defense Fund of Ohio, Policy Matters called on Congress to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program […]
Senate Republican COVID package falls short
Ohio Senators Portman and Brown must fight for a better aid package that meets Ohio’s needs As the COVID-19 virus surges and unemployment claims remain high, Republicans in the U.S. Senate put forward a COVID-19 aid package that falls far short of what Ohioans need to get through the pandemic and recession it has caused. […]
CARES Act higher ed funding formula skewed in favor of for-profit schools
Private for-profit colleges received a disproportionate share of federal relief funding for Ohio’s higher education institutions, according to a Policy Matters analysis of national data compiled by the Center for American Progress. For-profit schools enroll fewer than 4% of all Ohio postsecondary students but were allocated more than 8% of the $395 million in higher […]
Four-state coalition unveils blueprint to “reimagine Appalachia” with a new deal that works for us
50+ groups outline policies to create a 21st century economy that’s good for workers, communities, and the environment Policy Matters Ohio joined a broad and diverse coalition of thought leaders and organizations from West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio today to release a policy blueprint. By expanding economic opportunity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the […]
Experts, officials say Ohio’s cities need relief
Senate should provide more support for local governments in the next aid package Today, the mayors of Athens and Chillicothe joined the Ohio Municipal League and Policy Matters Ohio to highlight the fiscal pressure small cities are under during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it’s causing. In a virtual press call, the group appealed […]
400,000 Ohioans missing out on $360 million in stimulus payments
Governor DeWine’s administration can help with aggressive outreach About 12 million Americans – including nearly 400,000 in Ohio alone – risk missing out on the federal stimulus payments provided through the recent CARES Act if they don’t file a form to receive it, according to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities […]
Advocates, experts and physicians call on Senate to boost Medicaid funding in next stimulus
Medicaid is not only Ohio’s largest health care provider, it supports jobs in big cities and small towns. With rising unemployment, more Ohioans are enrolling in Medicaid. Today, the Physicians Action Network, Children’s Defense Fund of Ohio and Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio joined Policy Matters Ohio to call on Sens. Portman and […]
Without federal action, Ohio could lose 204,000 child care slots
If Congress doesn’t allocate enough support in the next stimulus bill, Ohio could lose 204,000 child care slots, according to a new report from Policy Matters Ohio. Policy Matters released the report at a press conference today with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC). Child care has been one of the biggest societal challenges during the […]
CFPB eliminates consumer protections from predatory payday loans
36% interest rate cap would protect Ohio families Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) eliminated hard-won consumer protections, leaving Ohio families exposed to exploitative payday lending. The CFPB issued a final rule that guts the agency’s own 2017 Payday Rule, which required lenders verify a borrower’s ability to repay a loan before issuing it. […]
Cut tax loopholes, not schools and hospitals
Policy Matters outlines ways to raise $1 billion, protect essential services State and local governments face soaring needs but dwindling tax collections as the COVID-19 pandemic pounds the economy. Policy Matters Ohio today released a report that identified 20 tax measures the Ohio General Assembly can take to raise more than $1 billion and help […]
SB 3 Passes in Senate; Criminal Justice Advocates Urge House to Vote on and Pass Legislation
COLUMBUS— Today the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 3, sending to the House a bill that will provide more opportunities for Ohioans get treatment for substance abuse rather than sending them to prison. The ACLU of Ohio, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Justice and Policy Center, and Policy Matters Ohio issued a joint statement thanking the […]