Select Policy Matters Ohio Presentations since 2002

Press Conference on the Middle Class Squeeze with Senator Sherrod Brown at Trinity Commons
Amy Hanauer
October 7, 2008
Cleveland, Ohio

Meeting on Bridging the Hardship Gaps through Public Work Supports with the Ohio AFL-CIO Executive Staff
Amanda Woodrum
April 3, 2008
Columbus, Ohio

Presentation on Job Watch, Ohio Jobs Report
and the State of Manufacturing
Amy Hanauer
Ohio AFL-CIO Industrial Union Committee Meeting
July 25, 2007
Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Apollo
David Rothstein
Case Sustainability Committee, hosted by Linda Robson
July 23, 2007
Cleveland, Ohio

Interview on predatory lending, EITC and foreclosure
David Rothstein
WOSU radio NPR
July 3, 2007
Columbus, Ohio

State of Working Ohio 2005, EITC, and Steelyard Commons/Wal-Mart
David Rothstein
Columbus Internship program at Kent State University
August 31, 2006
Kent, Ohio

Family Budgets and Minimum Wage
Wendy Patton
QFM-96,WHOK, K95FM and WFN 107.1 FM with host Christie Kemper
August 24, 2006
Columbus, Ohio

Tax Reform
Zach Schiller
Ohio House Ways & Means Committee on Ohio tax reform
Other speakers represented the Ohio Chamber of Commerce
August 22, 2006
Columbus, Ohio

State of Working Ohio
Amy Hanauer
The Lakeside Association
August 8, 2006
Lakeside, Ohio

Minimum Wage
Amy Hanauer
WVIZ TV, Public Broadcast Station, IdeaStream with host Rick Jackson
July 27 and 28, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

Home Foreclosures
Zach Schiller
“The Impact of Foreclosures on Neighborhood Development”
hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Community Affairs Program
July 20, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

“Economic Hardships in Ohio”
Wendy Patton
WOSU 820 AM radio talk show, “Open Forum”
with host Bob Singleton and other guests
July 18, 2006
Columbus, Ohio

Apollo Alliance
Wendy Patton
Sierra Club/Steel Workers tour on Energy and Trade
June 28, 2006
Columbus, Ohio

“Legislated TEL: Implications for a Limited Future”
Jon Honeck
Ohio Board of Regents 2006 Statewide Trustees Conference
June 6, 2006
Columbus, Ohio

Minimum Wage and Unemployment
Zach Schiller
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
June 2, 2006
Dayton, Ohio

Wal-Mart
Zach Schiller
“Effects of Big Box Retail Development Without Regional Planning”
Panel discussion that included retail developer David Kramer
and Cuyahoga County Planning Director Paul Alsenas
May 18, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

Health Care 101 and Minimum Wage
Pam Rosado
USW & UAW retirees
June 27, 2006 in Youngstown, Ohio
June 20, 2006 in Struthers, Ohio
June 20, 2006 in Akron, Ohio
June 15, 2006 in Columbus, Ohio
June 14, 2006 in Girard, Ohio
June 7, 2006 in Lorain, Ohio
June 6, 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio
May 31, 2006 in Sandusky, Ohio
May 24, 2006 in Perrysburg, Ohio
May 23, 2006 in Warren, Ohio
May 16, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio

Minimum Wage and the State of Working Ohio
Amy Hanauer
Union Label Trade Show at the IX Center
May 6, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

High Road Approach to Economic Development
Amy Hanauer
Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland
April 20, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

Job Growth in Ohio
Amy Hanauer
WKSU
April 6, 2006
Kent, Ohio

Revitalizing the NE Ohio Economy
Amy Hanauer
Panel presentation along with Robert Lynch and Larry Ledebur
Friday March 24
Center for Community Solutions
Cleveland, Ohio

State of Working Ohio, EITC and Pulling Apart
David Rothstein
“Politics of Poverty,” class at Kent State University
February 22, 2006
Kent, Ohio

State Tax Reform and Spending Limitations
Zach Schiller
“Economic Insights for Fiscal Responsibility,”
budget retreat for Cleveland City Council Members
February 2, 2006
Cleveland, Ohio

To Hike or Not to Hike the Minimum Wage
WCPN 90.3
January 20, 2006

Minimum Wage
Amy Hanauer
Friday, January 6, 2006
KFPA 94.1 FM Morning Show
Berkeley, California

Home Foreclosures
Amy Hanauer
January 7, 2006
“Focus on the Valley” WBBW
Youngstown, OH

The Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights (TABOR)
Presentation by Jon Honeck
November 18, 2005
Ohio Community College Association, Presidents’ meeting
Columbus, OH

Bankruptcy Trends in Ohio
Presentation by David Rothstein
October 30, 2005
Workmen’s Circle Community Financial Planning Fair
South Euclid, OH

The State of Working Ohio and Franklin County 2005
Powerpoint presentation by Jon Honeck and participation in roundtable discussion
October 20, 2005
Columbus Coalition for the Homeless Annual Forum 2005
Columbus, OH

Disclosure of Public Benefits by Employers
Presentation by Zach Schiller
October 18
Ohio State Legislators
Columbus

An Examination of the Wal-Mart Business Model and the Proposed Oberlin Living Wage Charter Amendment
Participation in panel by Amy Hanauer
October 5, 2005
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Solutions to Labor Market Problems: Employee Ownership, Community Hiring Halls and Other Innovations
Panel moderated by Amy Hanauer
September 30, 2005
Economic Analysis Research Network annual conference
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cleveland, Ohio

Framing the Post-Crash Economy: Regional Strategies from Florida, Ohio and Silicon Valley
Participation in panel by Amy Hanauer
September 30, 2005
Economic Analysis Research Network annual conference
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cleveland, Ohio

Ohio the Nation, and EARN
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
September 29, 2005
Economic Analysis Research Network annual conference
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cleveland, Ohio

Clean Power Opportunities: Wind Energy
Participation in panel by David Rothstein
September 29, 2005
Ohio Technology Showcase
Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre
Cleveland

Data Sources Used in Policy Matters Ohio Reports
Powerpoint presentation by Jon Honeck
September 22, 2005
Data Brownbag Lunch sponsored by Community Research Partners
Columbus, Ohio

Moving Ohio to the High Road:
Policies that Help Workers and the Economy
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
September 21, 2005
Wood County Public Forum
Maumee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Bowling Green, Ohio

Are Americans Shopping Themselves Out of a Job?
A Closer Look at the Wal-Mart Business Model
Field Hearing sponsored by Congressman Sherrod Brown
Testimony by Amy Hanauer
September 19, 2005
Moot Courtroom, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland State University

Pensions Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) Speaking Tour
Pam Rosado
August 24 – September 1, 2005
United Steelworker Retirees
Perrysburg, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
Salem, Ohio
East Liverpool, Ohio
Findlay, Ohio
Girard, Ohio
Canton, Ohio

Building Innovation & Entrepreneurship in NEO
Participation in panel by Amy Hanauer
August 23, 2005
I-OPEN Workforce Development Forum No 2
Shaker Heights, Ohio Library

Student Sponsored Labor Roundtable
Participation in panel Pam Rosado
August 22, 2005
Oberlin College Center for Service and Learning
Oberlin, Ohio

Town Hall Meeting on Tax Expenditure Limitation with State Rep Kathleen Chandler
Zach Schiller
August 20, 2005
United Church of Christ
Kent, Ohio

Foreclosures
Amy Hanauer
July 25, 2005
Cuyahoga Affordable Housing Alliance

Tax Expenditure Limitation (TABOR)
Zach Schiller
July 22, 2005
UAW Hall
Lordstown, Ohio

Interview
Amy Hanauer
July 3, 2005
WEWS Channel 5, “Kaleidoscope”
Cleveland, Ohio

Tax Expenditure Limitation (TABOR)
Zach Schiller
June 27, 2005
Cuyahoga Mayors and Managers Association
Independence, Ohio

Exploring the Challenges and Benefits of an Ownership Society
Participation in panel by Amy Hanauer
June 23, 2005
Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank 2005 Community Development Policy Summit

Social Security: The Perils of Privatization and What You Can Do About It
Pam Rosado
June 22, 2005
UAW Hall – Local 122
Twinsburg OH

Partnerships: Government Advocates Network
Participation in panel by Zach Schiller
June 10, 2005
The Club
Cleveland, Ohio

Fighting Poverty with the Earned Income Tax Credit
Participation in panel by Amy Hanauer
June 8, 2005
The City Club of Cleveland

Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Creative Revenue Stream or Fuzzy Math
Presentation by Zach Schiller
March 23, 2005
Cleveland City Club’s New Leaders Program

Pink Collar Work
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
April 21, 2003
League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown

What Color Is Your Paycheck?
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
April 17, 2003
Kent State University

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
April 2, 2003
League of Women Voters of Ohio’s Annual Statehouse Day – Columbus, OH

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
April 1, 2003
UCAN (United Community Activist Network) Training Program – United Labor Agency

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
March 13, 2003
Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
March 12, 2003
Cleveland AFL-CIO

Contemporary Urban Issues
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
February 12, 2003
Cleveland State University

What Color is Your Paycheck?
Presentation by State Senator CJ Prentiss
WOSU/WVIZ-TV Viewpoint Program

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
February 9, 2003
Temple Emanuel

The State of Working Ohio
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
January 30, 2003
Cleveland AFL-CIO

Inequality and Health
Presentation by Amy Hanauer
November 18, 2002
Case Western Reserve University

Cincinnati Enquirer

Poverty increased in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky between 1999 and 2005, while median incomes rose at less than the national average in all but two local counties, new Census Bureau estimates released Tuesday show.

It’s another bad economic sign for the region, which has seen its jobless rate exceed the nation’s since 2005.

Nationally, the poverty rate was virtually unchanged at 12.6 percent last year, compared with 2004, according to the census survey, based on a sample of 100,000 homes nationally.

Federal poverty guidelines include 48 groups. The simplest is the single person under 65 with no children to support: below $10,160 is poverty. A family of four, with two children under 18, is considered living in poverty below $19,806.

Cincinnati ranked as the nation’s eighth-poorest big city, as 25 percent of residents fell below the poverty line. Cleveland ranked first.

Even in fast-growing Butler County, the poverty rate jumped last year to 12.4 percent from 8.7 percent in 1999.

That comes as no surprise to Jeff Diver, executive director of Butler County SELF, Supports to Encourage Low-income Families.

“There is no countywide transit service, so despite the tremendous increase in new jobs in places like West Chester, people in need of jobs here in Hamilton have no way to get to the jobs,” he said.

So far this year, the agency has provided help to 11,644 individuals.

POVERTY UP, PAY GROWTH SLOWS

Even though he recently got a raise to just under $20 an hour, Norris Everspaugh, 56, of Hamilton doesn’t think he’s better off financially than he was in 1999.

Everspaugh, who works for the West Chester road department and has three grown children, helps support one of his sons and his wife who have three small kids of their own. “He only makes minimum wage in his warehouse job, and I help him out,” the father said.

Others in Ohio and Kentucky may feel the same as Everspaugh, in light of the new Census Bureau estimates.

Personal income in Ohio grew slower than the national rate, the new estimates showed. More people were living below the poverty level in 2005 than in 1999.

In Kentucky, the percentage of people with poverty-level earnings reached one in six last year, and the gap between Kentucky’s per capita income and the nation’s widened.

But Cincinnati was depicted on an even more downhill slope. Income growth barely budged from 1999 to 2005, and 25 percent of city residents fell below the poverty line, up from 21.9 percent in 1999.

The findings were part of the agency’s latest report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage in America. Median U.S. household income rose 1.1 percent to $46,326 from 2004 to 2005, while the national poverty rate held steady at 12.6 percent. The percentage of Americans without health insurance rose from 15.6 percent to 15.9 percent.

Here’s what the report had to say about Ohio, Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati:

Thirteen percent of Ohioans are below the poverty level, up from 10.6 percent in 1999. The percentage of Kentuckians in poverty rose from 15.8 percent in 1999 to 16.8 percent in 2005. To determine poverty, the Census Bureau calculates a family’s income in relation to its size and composition. For example, a family of three, including one child under 18, with an annual income of $14,000 would be considered under the poverty threshold of $15,423.

Aside from Cincinnati, Campbell County had the highest poverty rate in the region – 13.9 percent, up from 9.3 percent in 1999. Warren County had the lowest at 5.1 percent, although that was up from 4.2 percent in 1999.

Ohio’s per capita income rose 11 percent, from $21,003 in 1999 to $23,322 in 2005, while Kentucky’s rose 13.6 percent during the same period, from $18,093 to $20,551. U.S. per capita income rose 16 percent during that time frame, from $21,578 to $25,035.

In the region, Warren County had the highest per capita income – $29,211 – and the biggest percentage increase in per capita income – 14.5 percent. Cincinnati had the lowest on both counts: Per capita income of $20,593 in 2005 and a 3.2 percent increase since 1999.

Amy Hanauer, executive director of Cleveland-based think-tank Policy Matters Ohio, called Ohio’s numbers disappointing. “We’re supposed to be five years into a recovery from recession, and we should see better wage and income growth,” Hanauer said.

“Because we’ve had poor job growth in this state, it makes it hard for people to get raises.”

The data also represented another slap for the city of Cincinnati. In June, Census estimates gave the Queen City the dubious distinction of having lost more residents – 6.8 percent – in the last five years than any other city with a population of at least 100,000. The city’s 25 percent poverty rate is the eighth worst in the nation. Cleveland’s 32.4 percent is the worst.

“Cincinnati has been showing up as one of the most stressed cities in other respects, and this (higher poverty rate) continues that pattern,” said James Rubenstein, a Miami University geography professor who specializes in urban planning. “More people are moving out of there, and Cincinnati is not getting that back-to-the-city movement that other cities in the country are getting.”

The stagnant income growth and higher poverty rate in Hamilton County are manifested in the increase in food stamp recipients served by the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services. Even when people are employed, said agency spokesman Brian Gregg, they still need assistance.

“We had a monthly average of 50,846 food stamp recipients in 2000,” he said. “Right now, as of the second quarter of 2006, we have 77,230.”

Higher heating and cooling costs are a big reason for more demand in services at the Hamilton County Community Agency, said Gwen Robinson, president.

Her agency has helped 10,000 families so far this year with heating and cooling aid compared with about 8,000 through the same period last year.

Ohio voters will decide in November whether or not to raise the state’s minimum wage from $4.25 an hour – which is less than the federal minimum of $5.15 – to $6.85. Amy Rohling McGee, executive director of the Ohio Association of Free Clinics and co-chair of the Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future, said she wasn’t surprised by the increase in Ohio’s poverty rate.

“Nonprofit organizations, such as food pantries and free clinics, have continued to see increases in the numbers of people who are seeking their services and are stretched to the breaking point,” she said

The Hannah Report

The committee heard from representatives from the business community and Zach Schiller from Policy Matters Ohio.

Daniel Navin, assistant vice president for tax policy, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, told the committee that the chamber’s position is that the Legislature has spoken on the issue and the CAT is now a new part of Ohio’s business tax structure. He said more time must pass and data be accumulated before the CAT’s overall impact on the state’s economy can be credibly assessed. Thereafter, he said, decisions on whether to make minor tweaks or major revisions can be discussed.

Kathleen Hughes, a certified public accountant and partner of Taylor Applegate Hughes & Assoc. LTD, said that to the surprise of some, the losers of the CAT tax are both new and used car dealers. The factors,
according to Hughes, that make the efficient car dealer a loser are:

• A quick turnover of inventory. This has allowed them to minimize and manage their personal property tax liability as they keep a relatively small inventory. This was not an effect that was originally anticipated. Therefore, the decrease in personal property tax did not benefit them as greatly as anticipated.

• The high dollar sales price of the vehicle. This yields a large current CAT liability. George Schueller, a tax manager with CBIZ Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services, said because many small businesses are taxed as pass-through entities such as S corporations and limited liability companies and therefore the high Ohio individual income tax rates continue to have a significant impact on these small business
owners. Even though Ohio has taken a major step toward tax reform, Schueller said the tax burden for small business owners whose sales exceed the $1 million gross receipts threshold of the CAT continues to be high.

Therefore, he encouraged the committee to consider an accelerated phase-in of the individual income tax reductions or an additional reduction in the Ohio tax rates.

Zach Schiller said the flattening of the income tax will lead to a greater disparity for lower- and middleincome Ohioans who pay a larger share of their incomes in all state and local taxes than most affluent Ohioans.

He said Ohio should go slow in further reducing the personal income tax saying that while it is early to evaluate, Ohio employment has not enjoyed gains over the past year that suggest a positive impact of the tax reform.

He said the proposal to exclude undistributed profits of pass-through entities from the income tax would further skew the tax system against lower- and middle-income taxpayers and would create a new enforcement issue for the Department of Taxation which would need to audit returns for profit distributions.

State law, according to Schiller, already provides for tax reductions when state finances will permit it. The Income Tax Reduction Fund automatically reduces income tax rates according to a formula that is based on the amount of surplus revenue in the General Revenue Fund. Rates were reduced in 1996 and 2000 reducing revenue by $2.27 billion. He said the law calls for the Rainy Day Fund to reach five percent of the GRF before the rates are cut. Currently, this has not been fully accomplished.

He said if the Legislature decides there should be further reductions, an expansion of the homestead exemption is more worthy of consideration than income tax cuts.

Policy Group Questions Impact of Recent Changes; Tax Manager Urges Speed-up of Cuts

Gongwer News Service

The House Ways & Means Committee fielded varying points of view Tuesday on the subject of “tax reform.” A business advisor relayed support for accelerating the scheduled tax cuts and a Policy Matters Ohio researcher cast doubts on the economic benefits of last year’s overhaul.

Dan Navin, the Ohio Chamber’s assistant vice president for Tax & Economic Policy, kicked off the testimony by stating his group didn’t plan to rehash its opposition to the commercial activity tax – now in the second of a planned five-year phase in. “More time must pass and data be accumulated before we can credibly assess the CAT’s overall impact on the state’s economy,” he said.

Overall, taxpayers are adjusting well to the various components of the tax system revisions (HB 66), Mr. Navin opined. He has fielded positive feedback specifically in regards to the phase out of the tangible personal property tax and the phase in of an across-the-board cut in the personal income tax, which is paid by many businesses.

“I’ve been surprised, however, by the lack of significant negative reaction to the 10% commercial rollback repeal,” he added, especially since the effect of the repeal was immediate in tax year 2005. “Perhaps one reason for the relative lack of negative reaction is that many real property taxpayers also own businesses that pay the TPP tax as well. Consequently, the trade-off works for them.”

Kathleen Hughes, a partner in the certified public accounting firm of Taylor Applegate Hughes and Associates of Springfield, spoke of the impact of the tax changes to her mostly medium to small business clientele. While few saw relief from the phase out of the corporate franchise tax because they tend to be pass-through entities such as “S” corporations and partnerships, most are paying the same or less in taxes than they did previously, she said.

“Every tax change has winners and losers. In our practice, to the surprise of some, the losers are both new and used car dealers,” Ms. Hughes said. That’s due to high CAT liability and a less-than-expected benefit from the TPP tax phase out. “Overall, our car dealer clients are currently paying between 5% and 31% more in total tax to the state of Ohio,” she said.

George Schueller, a tax manager with CBIZ Accounting, Tax & Advisory Services of Akron, lauded the legislature for its five-year plan to reduce the PIT by 21% and other changes.

“On behalf of our clients, we believe a prudent next step in Ohio tax reform would be an accelerated phase in of the scheduled Ohio personal property tax reductions and the scheduled Ohio individual income tax reductions and/or an additional reduction in individual income tax rates,” he said.

“Although tax reform will make Ohio more competitive in the future, we have found that companies considering multi-state locations are hesitant to base their decisions on uncertain phase-ins of tax reductions,” Mr. Schueller added.

Responding to a question from Rep. Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton), Mr. Schueller said tax laws aren’t necessarily the key consideration for most businesses making location decisions, however they could prove to be the deciding factor when all others are equal.

Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller suggested that lawmakers move forward slowly with further tax system changes. “While it’s too early to evaluate, Ohio employment has not enjoyed gains over the past year that suggest a positive impact of the tax reform,” he said.

Since the budget bill (HB 66) containing the provisions passed last June, the state has seen an employment increase of 30,000 jobs, or 0.55%, compared to 1.48% for the United States, he said in citing state and federal data. “Ohio manufacturing employment has fallen by more than 10,000 during this period, or 1.3%, while they were essentially flat – up 17,000 – for the remainder of the country.”

“These numbers, which are the most reliable job numbers available, do not support the idea that Ohio tax reform is bringing job gains.”

“We recommend that the committee look closely at whether the recent tax reforms are producing a stronger Ohio economy before you approve additional tax cuts for upper-income Ohioans and business owners,” Mr. Schiller continued. “However, if you should decide that further tax reductions are in order, an expansion of the homestead exemption is more worthy of consideration than income tax cuts.”

In response to a question from Rep. Charles Calvert (R-Medina), Mr. Schiller acknowledged the benefits to low-income taxpayers that the package entailed by excluding those who make $10,000 or less each year but he could not say offhand how many Ohioans qualified under the expanded exemption.

“These individuals are paying a larger amount of other kinds of taxes,” he added.

Rep. Larry Wolpert (R-Hilliard) asked if the witness subscribed to the economic theory that tax cuts generate revenue increases to a certain point. “It’s pretty widely accepted by economists,” the lawmaker said.

Mr. Schiller said no, in part because government research has cast doubts on the theory.

The committee took testimony on the next phase of tax system changes but did not consider any specific legislation.

Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller testified Aug. 22, 2006 before the Ohio House Ways & Means Committee on tax reform. In his testimony, Schiller explained why further reductions in the state income tax are not in the interest of most Ohioans. 

Full Testimony

Ohio job numbers weaken

Job growth in Ohio has disappeared in recent months. According to seasonally adjusted
payroll numbers for nonfarm wage and salary jobs released by the Ohio Department of Job
& Family Services on Aug. 22, Ohio lost jobs over the last three months, compared to a
modest gain for the country as a whole.

Full Report

Cities and counties from across the nation are pioneering new clean energy solutions that could help end our nation’s oil addiction and create good jobs, according to the most recent report from the Apollo Alliance. Four Ohio municipalities: Bowling Green, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, are highlighted in the national report. Policy Matters Ohio, Apollo’s Ohio partner, is thrilled that New Energy for Cities highlights dozens of representative municipal programs that promote renewable power, reduce oil consumption, make buildings more efficient and promote smart growth. The mission of Ohio Apollo is to work with Ohio’s cities to adopt these policies and create jobs through environmentally sound and energy efficient solutions.

Press Release – Cincinnati

Press Release – Cleveland

Full Report

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Read the February 2006 Apollo Alliance report: New Energy for States: Energy-Saving Policies for Governors and Legislators

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