Posted on 12/23/15 by Wendy Patton in Education & Training
Ohio is underinvesting in higher education. We’re behind where we were during the recession, adjusting for inflation. We have not put enough into classroom instruction and operations. We spend $309 million less in this budget on need-based financial aid than we did in 2008-2009. This is cheating our own future.
(see our report: High tuition, low aid, too little state investment)
A skilled workforce is an essential component of a prosperous and inclusive state economy. Attaining a degree or other credential has obvious benefits to graduates and their families. Higher education insulates against unemployment and can be a pathway out of the... read more
Posted on 12/11/15 by Michael Shields (he/him) 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 12/09/15 by Amelia Hayes
The affordability of childcare for low-income families is receiving deserved attention, but costs are so high that the ability to pay for high-quality care is a middle-class problem as well.
It’s good to see more focus... read more
Posted on 11/19/15 by Zach Schiller (he/him) in Basic Needs + Unemployment Insurance
A bill introduced recently in the Ohio House would reduce unemployment benefits in Ohio – and the ability of workers to qualify for them – so that Ohio’s unemployment program would become among the most... read more
Posted on 10/22/15 by Wendy Patton in Revenue & Budget
When it comes to making plans important to building a strong economy, Ohio has a short attention span.
Some states take a long-range view. When drawing up a state budget, for example, they include analysis of... read more
Posted on 09/16/15 by Hannah Halbert (she/her) in Work & Wages
Full-time employment has rebounded to pre-recession levels, but new census data shows wages are so low that 1.4 million more workers are living in poverty compared to 2007.
The data released today by the U.S. Census... read more
Posted on 09/14/15 by Kalitha Williams in Consumer Protection + Asset Building
More than ever, American families struggle to afford the basics, even though they’re working. Fortunately, Congress in 2009 expanded some tax credits that helped more of these working families. These credits bring billions of federal... read more
Posted on 09/09/15 by Amelia Hayes
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t suffer from asthma. I would run and play with other kids during recess for about 10 minutes and then immediately need an inhaler or breathing treatment. Living... read more