Posted on 09/15/20 by Michael Shields in Work & Wages
Pandemic and recession setting back progress since Great Recession
Everyone deserves to be able to cover the basics, to build a life for themselves and their loved ones, regardless of race, gender or geography. New data released by the Census Bureau today show that this can’t be accomplished by economic growth alone.
Today’s data release captures the final chapter of the longest economic expansion in history, brought to an abrupt end by COVID-19 this spring. Despite some progress, the new data show that many Americans still struggled in poverty, and enormous disparities based on race persisted. Now the pandemic and recession have... read more
Posted on 09/27/17 by Michael Shields in Work & Wages
Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. Department of Labor planned to extend overtime protection to 12.5 million American workers, including 351,000 Ohioans, by updating the rule that exempts some salaried workers. Ohio was among a... read more
Posted on 06/30/17 by Michael Shields in Basic Needs + Unemployment Insurance
Cleveland residents struggle to afford safe and secure housing. A higher minimum wage would help. More than 66,000 families in Cuyahoga County who rent their homes are considered housing insecure. Those who are housing insecure... read more
Posted on 06/09/17 by Michael Shields in Work & Wages
More than 200 Ohio workers were killed on the job in 2015 alone. Nearly 105,000 others were hurt or made sick by exposure to workplace hazards. Workers’ Compensation laws are designed not only to treat... read more
Posted on 03/13/17 by Michael Shields
Federal budget should make good on manufacturing promises
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Photo by Steve Cagan
On Thursday, President Donald Trump will release his federal budget plan. Although he campaigned on the promise of bringing back manufacturing jobs, it’s widely expected... read more
Posted on 11/18/16 by Michael Shields in Education & Training
Cleveland expands its program and Cincinnati and Dayton approve preschool for all
Communities across Ohio are recognizing the vital need for preschool as an early learning foundation and coming up with innovative solutions to deliver quality... read more
Posted on 12/11/15 by Michael Shields in Energy
In a surprise reversal, staff at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio signed on last week to a settlement in utility giant FirstEnergy’s latest rate plan. The plan, which includes an arrangement to have Ohio... read more
Posted on 05/12/15 by Michael Shields in Energy
A legislative committee this week is meeting to study whether consumers benefit from Ohio clean-energy standards, which lawmakers put on hold last summer.
Spoiler alert: Consumers do benefit. Self-reported studies from Ohio’s four major utilities show... read more