The War on Poverty at 50
“On the 50th anniversary of President Johnson’s War on Poverty, we can be thankful for important progress we’ve made in reducing poverty in America and Ohio,” said Amy Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio. “Today, the safety net cuts poverty nearly in half and provides relief to many poor and near-poor people and families.” […]
End of U.S. aid means only 1 in 5 Ohio jobless get unemployment benefits
See full report Download press release (1 pg) With the expiration of federal unemployment benefits on Dec. 28, just one out of five unemployed Ohioans is receiving benefits, according to a study released today by Policy Matters Ohio. That share is as low as it has been any year over the past 30 years. Since […]
Ohio minimum wage increase will help 330,000 workers
New Year’s Day increase will boost consumer spending by $38 million On January 1st, Ohio’s minimum wage will increase by ten cents to $7.95 per hour, benefiting an estimated 330,000 Ohio workers. The minimum wage for tipped Ohio workers will also rise by 5 cents to $3.98 per hour. The increase will raise consumer […]
Changes to homestead exemption don’t focus benefits on those who need it most, report finds
For immediate release Contact Zach Schiller, 216.361.9801 Full report Download press release (1 pg) The state budget approved in June limits eligibility for Ohio’s homestead exemption, but doesn’t do enough to focus the property-tax break on seniors who need it most, according to a report by Policy Matters Ohio. The exemption provided homeowners 65 and […]
Rally to stop food stamp cuts
Rally and march to stop food stamp cuts, Tuesday, Dec. 17, in Cleveland’s Public Square.
Congress should not leave the unemployed behind
Unemployment insurance helps keep workers in the labor market, making sure they have transportation to job interviews and money to cover other expenses needed to look for work. Congress should keep this important program alive.
Hospitals would owe tens of millions if exempt properties were taxed, study finds
For immediate release Contact Zach Schiller, 216.361.9801 Download press release (1 pg) Full report Cuyahoga County’s two largest private nonprofit hospital systems, the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, together would owe tens of millions of dollars a year in additional property tax if their exempt properties in Cleveland were subject to taxation, according to […]
Cleveland’s hospitals are ducking millions in taxes and should pay ‘their fair share,’ three groups say
Patrick O’Donnell covered the press conference with the Cleveland Teachers Union and Common Good Ohio that highlighted our examination of how much Cleveland two largest private nonprofit hospital systems would pay if they didn’t benefit from property tax exemptions. The city’s two big hospitals should be paying the Cleveland schools more than $20 million in […]
Protests held over fast food wages
Channel 8 Fox News aired this advance piece on fast food actions in Cleveland and around the country, which featured Pam Rosado, outreach coordinator for Policy Matters. “Their work is valued, there is a support group here. We do want to bring awareness to the fact that they are being paid poverty wages,” said Pam Rosado. […]
“Gold Standard” retraining program faces cutbacks
For immediate release Contact Hannah Halbert, 614.221.4505 Full report Download press release (1 pg) Despite great results, trade assistance program will exclude more workers Since 2005, more than 76,500 Ohio workers have been certified to receive assistance through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, according to a report released today by Policy Matters Ohio. Certifications […]
Take action against low pay
Clevelanders will stand with workers on Dec. 5 to raise fast-food worker wages and get the economy moving again. Protesters will gather at the McDonald’s on Memphis Avenue to speak out against poverty wages, support the call for a $15-per-hour wage floor for fast-food jobs, and defend people’s right to stick together in the workplace. […]
Work mandates shrink Ohio cash-assistance ranks
For immediate release Contact Wendy Patton at 614.221.4505 Download release (1 pg) Full report Many leave program without jobs or aid; food-program requirements to start The overall caseload at Ohio Works First has plummeted while unemployment remains high in counties across the state, according to a new report by Policy Matters Ohio. Many participants […]