Charter operators regularly evade Ohio’s automatic-closure law, investigation finds
Full report Download press release Schools, management companies avoid academic accountability Of the 20 charter schools mandated to close for academic failure under Ohio’s 2008 automatic-closure law, seven are still operating in the same location under new names, most with significant staff overlap, according to an investigation by Policy Matters Ohio. An eighth school avoided […]
Uniform protection
Editorial State Reps. Cheryl Grossman and Michael Henne have the right idea. The Republican lawmakers want to bring uniformity to the municipal income tax in Ohio. They have in mind easing a burden on businesses, firms often facing multiple jurisdictions, rules and forms, the hassle diverting precious attention from first purposes. In early November, Grossman […]
HB 601 would leave loopholes in municipal income tax, analysis finds
Contact Zach Schiller, 216.361.9801 Download press release Back to full report New round of cuts could clobber Ohio communities Rather than cracking down on tax avoidance, a major rewrite of the state law governing Ohio municipal income tax being considered in Columbus ignores or even invites it, according to a brief released today by Policy […]
Ohio to roll out training vouchers
Jessie Balmert Vouchers to train current employees might go quickly as businesses seek to snap up the long-awaited and elusive earmark. Applications for the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program, which comprises $20 million for fiscal year 2012 and $30 million for fiscal year 2013, will be available starting Monday, according to the Ohio Development Services […]
Keys for Collateral (executive summary)
Download summary Back to full report How auto-title loans have become another vehicle for payday lending in Ohio Beginning in 2012, Policy Matters and other observers around Ohio began tracking auto-title lending as a troubling development in payday lending. Our subsequent investigation reveals that at least two companies are making payday loans in Ohio using […]
Lenders skirt Ohio payday law, seek auto titles as collateral, investigation finds
Download release Back to full report At least two companies are making payday loans in Ohio using vehicle titles as collateral, selling bigger loans at triple-digit rates that are potentially more dangerous for Ohio families than traditional payday loans, according to Keys for Collateral, a new report by Policy Matters Ohio. “Lenders have circumvented Ohio […]
Automatic federal cuts would hit Ohio hard
Download release Back to statement Don’t make a fiscal deal that increases inequality or poverty, group says The Budget Control Act of 2011, which is pushing federal funding toward what pundits are calling a “fiscal cliff,” includes spending limits and cuts that would cost Ohio hundreds of millions of dollars each year for the next […]
Principles for a better budget deal (executive summary)
Download summary Back to statement President Obama and Congress have the chance to make smart budget decisions that can stabilize families, raise resources from those most able to pay, and keep in place important programs that reduce poverty and build the middle class. As we navigate those choices, here are two novel ideas to keep […]
Popular auto title loans offer fast cash at steep price
Laura A. Bischoff of the Dayton Daily News wrote this solid piece on auto-title lending in Ohio, drawing on her own investigation as well as our research on the issue. Our report on the issue shows that this new (in Ohio, at least) of payday-like lending is starting to catch on in Ohio. High fees […]
Tim Krueger testifies before Manufacturing Task Force
For immediate releaseContact: Tim Krueger, 216.361.9801Read the testimony Ohio House hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. at Statehouse Ohio policymakers should take steps to encourage and strengthen manufacturing clusters in the state, increasing Ohio’s global competitiveness and making it a more desirable location for manufacturers, according to Tim Krueger, research assistant for Policy Matters Ohio. Such […]
Memo concerning HB 510 to members of the Senate Ways & Means & Economic Development Committee
The committee should reject House Bill 510 in its current form, or make significant changes that will align with the original attempt by the Kasich administration to cut tax loopholes – but without cutting rates on big banks. For immediate release Contact: Zach Schiller, 216.272.9072Download memo To: Members of the Senate Ways & Means & […]
Thanksgiving, a time to pull together
David Kushma, editorial page editor at the Toledo Blade, draws on personal experience at Toledo Hospital that has him counting his blessings and wanting to remind readers of those less fortunate. . . . we also should remember at Thanksgiving, and throughout the year, that many of our neighbors have a lot fewer blessings to […]