Saturday Stats
Posted February 19, 2022 in eNews
Numeric news from Policy Matters Ohio
$51,000: The richest 1% of Ohioans have on average $51,000 more per year than they did 17 years ago, according to a new report by State Policy Fellow, Guillermo Bervejillo. That’s because since 2005, many state legislators and governors pushed corporate and income tax cuts and expanded special interest giveaways. The result has been an annual loss of $8 billion in revenue and an upside-down tax code that forces the Ohioans who are paid the least to pay the highest share of their incomes in state taxes.
$1 billion: On Thursday, President Biden visited Northeast Ohio to celebrate the infrastructure law’s $1 billion to restore the Great Lakes. Amanda Woodrum released a statement urging state and local leaders to leverage the law’s funds for upgrading our energy and transportation infrastructure to create good jobs for all Ohioans, including Black and brown workers and women, and others who are too often blocked from opportunities.
1/11: In 1930, one in 11 coal miners in the Ohio Valley – which spans Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania — were Black. Yet too often, Black people aren’t part of the most commonly-accepted narratives about Appalachia. The Black Appalachian Coalition was founded to change that. They released their first ever BLAC paper last year, pairing historical data with Black Appalachians’ personal stories to paint a more complete picture of the region. Read Amanda’s contribution to our “Doing the work” series to learn more about BLAC’s work.
$4.4 billion: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) sent $4.4 billion to Ohio schools, and like Tanisha Pruitt wrote for Cleveland.com, districts can use the funds to keep staff and students safe from COVID-19 and address the staff shortage that’s forcing many schools to close.
$511 million: Cleveland is receiving $511 million in federal pandemic relief dollars. PB CLE is making sure residents have a voice in how it’s spent! Join them on March 10th at 5:30 p.m. to learn about participatory budgeting and how to make it a reality in Cleveland.
15: The number of board members the Northeast Ohio Worker Center needs to launch its first board. Will you be one of them? Frontline workers, BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ workers are strongly encouraged to join. Apply today.
6: Ohio has been ensnared in the redistricting process for 60 years — oops — I mean six months, but the Redistricting Commission STILL hasn’t passed a single set of fair maps. Republican members on the committee refuse to follow the Ohio Supreme Court’s order. So there’s still work to do. You can check out All On The Line Ohio and the Equal Districts Coalition for ways to take action.
64: Number of letters sent to Ohio legislators telling them to vote no on HB 327, which would force teachers to distort American history in the classroom. The ongoing letter-writing campaign is sponsored by Honesty for Ohio Education. You can send your own letter here.
16: Number of letters sent in the above-described campaign in the time it took to write the previous paragraph! Send yours now!!
100: Number of school districts joining a lawsuit challenging Ohio’s school voucher program as unconstitutional. Heights Coalition for Public Education is offering a forum where you can learn more, at 7 p.m. on February 23. Register here.
P.S.: We’re hiring! In partnership with Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, the Central Ohio Worker Center and the Northeast Ohio Worker Center, we’re looking for an adaptive, committed and creative project coordinator who will support the growing network of worker centers in Ohio by assisting with project management, communications, and development. See here for the full job description & application instructions!