Saturday Stats: A new start
Posted January 23, 2021 in eNews
46: President Joseph R. Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday. Executive Director Hannah Halbert has a few ideas about what he needs to do to get all of us through the pandemic, prepare for the next crisis and make sure all our communities emerge stronger than before. She made the media rounds, appearing on WCPN’s The Sound of Ideas and ABC 6 in Columbus.
11,500: Overall, Ohio employers cut 11,500 jobs in December, marking the first month the state lost jobs since the recovery began slowing down in July. In the latest JobWatch report, Michael Shields writes that both state and federal lawmakers need to take action to help Ohioans make ends meet.
$302 v. $624: In Cuyahoga County, a friend or relative caring for a child who has been removed from their home receives $302 a month in state support while a licensed foster care provider receives a minimum of $624 and a maximum of $2,619 a month. Four years ago, a federal court ruled that this two-tiered system, which disproportionately harms Black children and families, is a violation of federal law. Policymakers made a hasty attempt to address the issue at the end of last year, but Will Petrik says the new program still falls short.
11.69 million: In coming weeks, Gov. Mike DeWine will send his 2022-2023 budget proposal to the Ohio General Assembly for consideration. Wendy Patton, Michael Shields, Will Petrik and Piet van Lier outlined how he and state legislators can pass a state budget that cares for all 11.69 million Ohioans, no matter their race, the size of their bank account or where they live. Our handy four-page version gives you the highlights – and we hope advocates, activists, organizers and engaged Ohioans will use it to push their representatives to pass a “budget for everyone.”
6: Ohio is one of only six states that do not tax corporate profits. This means corporations that are profiting immensely from the pandemic aren’t doing their part to help us all get through it. Zach Schiller says that needs to change. In a recent report, he shows how lawmakers could leverage millions in public resources by reinstating a tax on corporate profits.
5: Ohio is one of just five states that require colleges to send institutional student debt – ranging from room and board fees to library fines — to the state Attorney General for collection. States vary widely when it comes to the collection of student debt, but Piet van Lier and Julie Szeltner of College Now Greater Cleveland explain how policymakers can fix Ohio’s punitive approach.
Coming up:
Gearing up for the state budget, our friends at One Ohio Now are offering two separate budget trainings at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on January 25. Read “A budget for everyone,” then learn how to engage in the budget process!
Catch Project Director Kalitha Williams on America’s Workforce Radio Union Podcast on Janaury 28, when she’ll talk with Flash Ferenc about how the Biden administration could make it harder for predatory lenders to exploit working people. (You can brush up on your payday lending policy knowledge by checking out Kalitha’s recent report.)
On January 29 at 2 p.m., the Ohio Children’s Budget Coalition will present to state lawmakers in the Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus. The coalition will go over their key priorities for children in the state budget, including a presentation on increased support for child care from Will.
Former Policy Matters Researcher Victoria Jackson will speak at a City Club virtual forum on February 4 at 12:30 p.m. She will join Director of Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Anthony P. Carnevale, to discuss why higher education is out of reach for many students, especially students of color and students whose families have lower incomes. They’ll talk about policies that can break down barriers and expand opportunity for all students, regardless of what they look like or where they come from.