Advocacy Organizations Respond to Governor DeWine’s Prison Release Recommendations, Announced on April 7
Last week, Governor DeWine announced that he requested judges release 38 people from Ohio prisons in response to the growing COVID-19 crisis in the state’s corrections facilities. DeWine announced more releases today (167), with recommendations now totaling 205 individuals, but it’s not nearly enough to address the mounting risk of widespread outbreak. The ACLU of […]
Delay on Sherwin-Williams incentives is welcome
But JobsOhio should put off any awards, too The DeWine Administration has decided to delay action on $70 million in state loans to support the construction of a new headquarters for Sherwin-Williams Co. in downtown Cleveland and a research center in Brecksville. Policy Matters Ohio Research Director issued the following statement on the decision: “In […]
Lawmakers should review, reduce some tax breaks before the sirens start
Scrutiny of $9 billion in tax breaks should not be postponed State and local governments face soaring needs but dwindling tax collections as the COVID-19 epidemic grinds the economy to a near halt. State lawmakers moved to open up the rainy day fund for possible use and federal lawmakers passed legislation to help, but even […]
Letter from prison shines light on looming threat of outbreak
Policy Matters Ohio researcher Piet van Lier recently received a letter written by a man who expressed fear that conditions at North Central Correctional Institute in Marion, where he is incarcerated, make people in detention there especially vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. “We are in groups of 210, could be more, and we sleep next to […]
COVID-19 stimulus must support free tax prep
In one of its more positive moves, the U.S. Senate included cash payments that will send most Americans $1,200 per person from the $2 trillion stimulus package it recently passed. However, people who are paid very low wages or don’t have any income at all may not file taxes. That’s why it’s critical that any […]
Federal, state COVID-19 bills offer support, but more is needed
Today the Ohio General Assembly approved measures to combat the economic effects of COVID-19. Congress was also expected to approve an additional stimulus package, the CARES Act, but the legislation awaits final passage. Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert issued the following statement on their actions: “The economic contraction we’re experiencing is necessary to […]
Third federal coronavirus bill must boost funding for Medicaid, child care
The sweep of the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting Ohioans hard. Last week 139,000 filed for unemployment, up from 6,500 the week before. Hundreds of thousands more face the loss of income and health care. Just as Ohioans are turning in record numbers to the critical services our taxes pay for, Governor Mike DeWine has asked […]
With revenue about to plunge, Cleveland Council should delay vote on Sherwin-Williams incentive package
Cleveland City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on an incentive package for Sherwin-Williams Co. worth a reported $100 million. While some of the incentives are dependent on jobs being created and a rise in property values, they include up to $13.5 million for a construction grant. Policy Matters Ohio released the following statement from […]
Governor, judges must include incarcerated Ohioans in COVID-19 response
Governor Mike DeWine and his administration have acted quickly and decisively over the past week to protect the health of Ohioans by “flattening the curve” of coronavirus. Closing schools, restaurants and other gathering places, and postponing Tuesday’s election will slow the spread of the virus, protect our most vulnerable and keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. […]
U.S. Senate should strengthen House COVID-19 bill
Limited measure could provide immediate relief, but Senate may hollow it out House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, will provide some relief to workers, families and states – if it makes it intact through the Senate. Senior Project Director Wendy Patton released the following statement calling on Ohio Senators Rob Portman (R-Terrace […]
Expansion of unemployment comp will help
But further action needed to allow many restaurant workers to get benefits Governor Mike DeWine said yesterday he would issue an executive order making unemployment compensation system available to workers who have been quarantined by a medical professional and eliminating the week that laid-off workers usually need to wait to receive UC benefits. Policy Matters […]
Boost unemployment comp for Ohio families, economy
Unemployment compensation (UC) is a crucial aid to families and communities. Policy Matters Ohio outlined in a brief today how workers, employers and policymakers all have steps they can take to make sure that this system provides a maximum of support. Author and research director Zach Schiller included these measures to accomplish that: Ohio law […]