No rest: News from Policy Matters
Posted May 20, 2017 in eNews
Healthy opposition: The bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act is especially harmful to women and mothers. In honor of Mother’s Day, our Wendy Patton joined allies Innovation Ohio, Progress Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to explain how. Policy Matters development manager Cynthia Connolly calls the repeal the worst Mother’s Day gift ever. Wendy also raised alarms about what President Trump’s proposed budget could mean for important state programs.
Slow going for Ohio jobs: During the 2016 election, President Donald Trump promised to bring back blue-collar jobs. This week we launched a new quarterly report to monitor his progress. In our latest JobWatch, we report that Ohio lost jobs last month while the nation as a whole added them.
Justice for students, big and small: More public investment is needed to provide better care for the Mahoning Valley’s littlest learners. Working with Eastern Ohio Education Partnership, we reported on that area’s childcare and preschool needs. We also don’t do enough for students trying to complete their education with a college degree. Ohio sends too much state aid to for-profit schools that often leave students in debt and earning low wages. Our Hannah Halbert called for state lawmakers to tighten the reins on proprietary colleges.
Moving transit forward: Public transit uses less fuel, helps workers get to jobs in an inexpensive way, and keeps communities vibrant. But Ohio invests less in transit than almost any other state. The 2018-2019 budget passed by the Ohio House shortchanges transit. Ohioans for Transportation Equity now have their sights set on the Senate. You can help increase state transit funding by reaching out to your Senator.
In the community: Policy Matters staff has, in the last two weeks, spoken to elementary students, community college presidents and everyone in between. Daniel Ortiz and Michael Shields discussed advocacy, environmental justice and energy policy at Hershey Montessori School, Amy Hanauer described the state policy process at a Shaker Heights High School event sponsored by the League of Women Voters and others, Kalitha Williams did a panel for the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning, and Hannah Halbert presented to community college presidents. Meanwhile we all talked about defending Ohioans’ healthcare - Caitlin Johnson at the District 14 Indivisible town hall meeting, Amy on America’s Workforce Radio, Mike to the Brecksville Democratic Club, and Wendy Patton to the Ohio chapter of the National Organization for Women and to the Women’s Public Policy Network. Contact us to speak at your next event!