Saturday Stats
Posted April 02, 2022 in eNews
Numeric news from Policy Matters
174,000: Federal aid has helped Ohioans get back on their feet after the COVID recession, but Michael Shields found that the state still has 174,000 fewer jobs than we did in February 2020. As state and local officials prepare to spend the next installment of American Rescue Plan Act funds, they must do so in a way that supports working people, keeps the recovery moving, and includes Ohioans of all backgrounds.
46 to 3: That was the vote among teachers at Menlo Park Academy to join the Cleveland ACTS union. They will now be part of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Tanisha Pruitt wrote about how the Menlo Park administration received $4 million in public money from the state – and used some of it to fight the union drive. But the working people won! And now the students will also benefit from the stability and improved conditions that come with their teachers having a union. Check out Tanisha’s celebratory TikTok!
$100 million: Intel Corp. says it will spend $100 million to build a huge semiconductor facility in Central Ohio – which we agree is great news for our state. The DeWine administration put us all on the hook to chip in too, to the tune of about $2 billion. The Ohio Capital Journal wrote about our recommendations to protect our public dollars and put them to best use for all of us.
2,265: Cleveland VOTES helped gather 2,265 registration cards on National Voter Registration Day last year. That is just one of the many things they do to educate, mobilize, and empower Clevelanders to make their voices heard. Founded by Crystal Bryant and Erika Anthony, Cleveland VOTES is one of our favorite freedom-fighting organizations. Daniel Ortiz featured Cleveland VOTES as part of our “Doing the Work” partner spotlight series.
40,000: Each month, the Columbus & Dayton African American News Journal reaches about 40,000 people. It can be found at hundreds of cafes, corner stores and churches in the two cities. Founded by former State Sen. Ray Miller, the journal plays a critical role in educating and empowering Black Ohioans – especially considering recent newspaper closures and often one-sided portrayals of Black people in the mainstream media. Will Petrik’s contribution to the “Doing the Work” series features the journal.
Nearly half: In Ohio, a single mom of two who makes $15 an hour would have to spend nearly half her income on child care. At a press conference this week, Will spoke about the need to increase public funding for child care to make it more affordable for families, and to ensure the caregivers are paid a living wage.
Coming up
The federal government passed legislation to provide people with immediate relief from the pandemic recession by temporarily expanding tax credits. These expanded credits will put more money in people’s pockets to build toward a brighter future and help pay for the basics, like groceries, rent and child care – but you have to know how to claim them. Join Will for a livestream with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and CDF Ohio on Monday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. to learn more about the tax credits and how to get that money. Keep your eyes on your email and our social media counts for a link.