Up and Down
Posted October 06, 2014 in eNews
In this eNews: New Census data show median earnings up, uninsured numbers down for the state; already slow job growth hit a standstill in September; new deal grants big subsidy to Amazon offshoot, but doesn't make the online retailer collect sales tax like small businesses do; EITC Coalition injects $14.8 million into Cuyahoga economy; and join Amy Hanauer next Tuesday on empowering low-income women.
Up... - New Census figures show a $627 boost to median household earnings for the state last year, but little progress at the bottom where poverty holds at 16.1%.
...and Down - Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act and state Medicaid expansion, Ohio’s uninsured rate dropped half a point last year to 11 percent; the number of Ohioans lacking coverage fell by 47,000.
Mind the Gap - Ohio was stuck in neutral on job growth last month with just 200 new jobs, slipping further behind the nation in recovery.
Bad deal - Ohio tax breaks to an Amazon subsidiary total $81 million, but the deal doesn’t require Amazon to collect sales taxes, like local businesses do. This hurts Mom & Pop shops and public services, which is why a growing number of states - now covering 69% of America’s population - require the behemoth to collect this tax.
Big Impact - The Cuyahoga County EITC Coalition helped over 12 thousand families claim their tax returns last year and injected $14.8 million into the local economy.
Raise the tide - Many women work but remain in poverty. Raise the tide with Amy Hanauer, Congresswoman Fudge, and other leaders at a Foundation Center event designed to learn how foundations can better support low-income women, Tuesday October 14th in CLE.
Press and more - Kalitha Williams and Ohio CASH threw support behind proposals to curb predatory lending to military personnel and all citizens. Amy Hanauer talked with WCPN’s Ideastream on how so many working Ohioans can still be struggling with poverty. And Wendy Patton wrote in the Cincinnati Enquirer about how local budget cuts hurt communities.