Saturday Stats: June 18, 2022
Posted June 18, 2022 in eNews
6: Last week we launched the All in For Ohio Agenda, which rests on six main policy pillars that focus on revenue, education, voting rights, economic dignity, community safety, and healthy communities. Joining Policy Matters Ohio in the All in For Ohio coalition are Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC), Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, Freedom BLOC (Black Led Organizing Collaborative) and others. Together we’re calling for a new vision for our state — one that embraces abundance over scarcity, healing over punishment, and solidarity over division. Read more about our plans in the Capital Journal and sign up to be an All in For Ohio All Star! You can get a sticker!
134,000: Although Ohio employers added 4,800 jobs last month, Ohio still has 134,000 fewer jobs than pre-COVID, according to Michael Shields’ JobWatch report. That’s why it’s so important that lawmakers adopt the recommendations in the All in For Ohio agenda and raise wages, give working people paid time off, and protect workers from dishonest employers.
250,000: At one point this week, American Electric Power (AEP) chose to shut off electricity smack in the middle of a severe heat wave for a quarter of a million customers, many in neighborhoods where Black and Brown residents and low-income families live. Many still don’t have power. Amanda Woodrum wrote that this dangerous situation could have been avoided – and still can be in the future – with public policy choices to upgrade the electric grid.
$2,900: Michael’s report last month showed that the typical wage theft victim who stays on the job the full year would have an average of $2,900 stolen or a quarter of their total wages. He appeared on WOSU’s All Sides with Ann Fisher this week to talk about the widespread problem and how policymakers can make sure working people are paid for all the hours they put in.
45%: Nearly 45% of working people in the U.S. are not paid enough to cover their basic needs. Hannah Halbert appeared on a panel hosted by HFLA of Northeast Ohio to answer the question: Is one job enough? Watch her tackle it here.
157: June 19th marks the 157th anniversary of when the enslaved people in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. Great friend to Policy Matters Ohio, damareo cooper, wrote this powerful reflection about Juneteenth in 2019. Please read it and reflect on the work still left to be done for our nation to truly heal from slavery and racial oppression.
Coming up:
On Tuesday, June 21 at 12 p.m. in Cleveland’s Public Square, Hannah Halbert will speak at the City Club of Cleveland’s “What’s Next in State Policy” forum. The event is free and open to the public. You’ll also be able to watch online.
Our friends at One Ohio Now have launched a summer session to train leaders for tax justice: Dream Big, Fight Back: Win on Revenue. Join them to build a stronger and more inclusive Ohio, where all kids have excellent schools, where housing is affordable, and nobody goes to bed hungry at night. Click here to register.
On Wednesday, June 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Join Two Dollar Radio and the Ohio AFL-CIO for a moderated discussion on Kim Kelly's new book Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor. Register for free with a suggested donation of $10, 100% of which will go to the Central Ohio Worker Center.
On Thursday July 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., we will join Cleveland Votes for their two-day State of Democracy event. Register here!