Jump to content

Policy Matters Ohio: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 16: Line 16:
'''Policy Matters Ohio''' is an [[Ohio]]-based nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization founded in January 2000. Its research focuses on economic issues facing low- and middle-income workers in Ohio. Through research, advocacy, and media work, Policy Matters aims to promote fair [[economic development]] for all workers.<ref>http://policymattersohio.org/aboutpmo.html</ref> Policy Matters is a member of the [[Greater Cleveland Community Shares]], and was honored as the "Member Organization of the Year" for 2008<ref>http://www.communityshares.org/pressreleases/powerlunch.html</ref>. ''[[The Nation]]'' in its blog on ''Most Valuable Progressives of 2008'' called Policy Matters Ohio the "most valuable state or regional group" in the country, praising it as "intellectually rigorous, yet accessible in its approach."<ref>http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/392577/most_valuable_progressives_of_2008?rel=hp_blogs_box</ref>
'''Policy Matters Ohio''' is an [[Ohio]]-based nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization founded in January 2000. Its research focuses on economic issues facing low- and middle-income workers in Ohio. Through research, advocacy, and media work, Policy Matters aims to promote fair [[economic development]] for all workers.<ref>http://policymattersohio.org/aboutpmo.html</ref> Policy Matters is a member of the [[Greater Cleveland Community Shares]], and was honored as the "Member Organization of the Year" for 2008<ref>http://www.communityshares.org/pressreleases/powerlunch.html</ref>. ''[[The Nation]]'' in its blog on ''Most Valuable Progressives of 2008'' called Policy Matters Ohio the "most valuable state or regional group" in the country, praising it as "intellectually rigorous, yet accessible in its approach."<ref>http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/392577/most_valuable_progressives_of_2008?rel=hp_blogs_box</ref>


Policy Matters Ohio receives financial support from a number of foundations, organizations and individuals, including the [[Joyce Foundation]], [[The George Gund Foundation]], the [[Cleveland Foundation]], the [[Sisters of Charity Foundation]], the [[New World Foundation]], the [[Annie E. Casey Foundation]], the [[Heinz Endowment]], the [[Open Society Institute]], the [[Catholic Campaign for Human Development]], [[KnowledgeWorks]], the [[Public Welfare Foundation]] and Greater Cleveland Community Shares. Agency partners include: the Economic Policy Institute, Economic Analysis and Research Institute (EARN), Demos, Apollo Alliance, the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, and Greater Cleveland Community Shares.<ref>http://www.policymattersohio.org/</ref>.
Policy Matters Ohio receives financial support from a number of foundations, organizations and individuals, including the [[Joyce Foundation]], [[The George Gund Foundation]], the [[Cleveland Foundation]], the [[Sisters of Charity Foundation]], the [[New World Foundation]], the [[Annie E. Casey Foundation]], the [[Heinz Endowment]], the [[Open Society Institute]], the [[Catholic Campaign for Human Development]], [[KnowledgeWorks]], the [[Public Welfare Foundation]] and Greater Cleveland Community Shares. Agency partners include: the Economic Policy Institute, Economic Analysis and Research Institute (EARN), Demos, Apollo Alliance, the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, and Greater Cleveland Community Shares.<ref>http://www.policymattersohio.org/</ref>
==Media Coverage and Accomplishments==
==Media Coverage and Accomplishments==

Revision as of 17:26, 8 October 2009

Policy Matters Ohio
FormationJanuary 2000
TypeNonprofit
Purposeeconomic policy
Location
Executive Director
Amy Hanauer
AffiliationsEARN, Demos, Apollo Alliance, Economic Policy Institute
Websitewww.policymattersohio.org

Policy Matters Ohio is an Ohio-based nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization founded in January 2000. Its research focuses on economic issues facing low- and middle-income workers in Ohio. Through research, advocacy, and media work, Policy Matters aims to promote fair economic development for all workers.[1] Policy Matters is a member of the Greater Cleveland Community Shares, and was honored as the "Member Organization of the Year" for 2008[2]. The Nation in its blog on Most Valuable Progressives of 2008 called Policy Matters Ohio the "most valuable state or regional group" in the country, praising it as "intellectually rigorous, yet accessible in its approach."[3]

Policy Matters Ohio receives financial support from a number of foundations, organizations and individuals, including the Joyce Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, the Sisters of Charity Foundation, the New World Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Heinz Endowment, the Open Society Institute, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, KnowledgeWorks, the Public Welfare Foundation and Greater Cleveland Community Shares. Agency partners include: the Economic Policy Institute, Economic Analysis and Research Institute (EARN), Demos, Apollo Alliance, the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, and Greater Cleveland Community Shares.[4]

Media Coverage and Accomplishments

Policy Matters has established a visible voice with Ohio politicians and news media, appearing in every major newspaper as well as television, radio, and web reports. In addition to releasing reports, Policy Matters researchers have also written opinion editorials and appeared on panels and conferences. [5] Most recently, Executive Director Amy Hanauer and board member Susan Helper were featured on a panel with Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, when he visited WK Solar in Perrysburg, Ohio on June 23, 2009 [6][7]. Researcher David Rothstein's June 2009 report on the rent-to-own industry (Paying More, Renting Debt) has been featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer [8], National Public Radio [9], and the Business Journal [10].

In September 2009, Policy Matters staff prepared: a Testimony on the 3C Corridor, a Testimony to Postal Regulatory Commission regarding Post Office closings in Ohio, and a Testimony on H.B. 209-Payday Lending.[11].

The organization's influence has also had reach outside of the United States. In 2008, Policy Matters Ohio accused a Chinese factory, Xiamen Topstar Lighting Co., of violating China's labor law and GE's own corporate policies [12][13][14][15][16]. The "Good Bulbs, Bad Jobs" report erupted a firestorm of intrigue in both American and Chinese media outlets and led to an official investigation by the Chinese government.

Issues

Policy Matters Ohio does research on issues affecting poor and working-class families. As the Ohio partner of Apollo Alliance, it also works for sustainable and renewable energy. Publication issue areas include: Work & Wages, Inequality, Economic Development, Trade, Basic Needs, Credit & Debt, Unemployment Compensation, Privatization, Education & Training, Budget Policy, Tax Policy, Energy Policy, Corrections Policy, and Democracy. Policy Matters Ohio also published the report: Campaign Briefing 2008.[17]

2009 Ohio Budget Crisis

In response to Ohio Gov. Strickland's proposed budget cuts of library, health, and children's services, [18], Policy Matters' research director Zach Schiller wrote an editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer calling for a tax increase rather than a steep decrease in public services. Schiller argues that current tax cuts have been ineffective and that cutting public programs to keep the cuts would hurt many Ohioans:

Those who say we should give the tax reform more time should be asked: Why should Ohioans experience drastic cutbacks in public services to test their theory, incorrect so far, that tax cuts will fuel an economic revival? Ohio needs more revenue to pay for today's needs, invest in the future and provide a stable source of funding in the future. Legislators need to reverse key elements of the 2005 tax changes.[19]

Schiller also authored an official Policy Matters report entitled "Limiting Loopholes: A dozen tax breaks Ohio can do without" released in September 2008.[20] The report estimates that Ohio would generate an additional $270 million annually if the loopholes were closed.[21]

Ohio Governor's Initiative On Graduation Rates

Also in response to Ohio's budget crisis, Policy Matters released a cost-benefit analysis of a state program aimed at increasing the graduation rates of at risk male high school students. The report concluded that the program should not have been eliminated because it would have saved the state money in the long run due to the increased rates of incarceration and social services usage of high school dropouts as compared to graduates. [22]

Rent-to-Own Stores

In June 2009, Policy Matters released a report entitled "Paying More, Renting Debt: Why Rent-to-Own is a Bad Deal for Ohio Consumers" authored by researchers David Rothstein and Mike Stanek. [23] The report finds rent-to-own stores in Ohio were selling to customers items that cost up to 450% their retail counterparts. In response, Policy Matters outlined several proposed policy changes such as placing a ceiling on prices and applying credit laws to rent-to-own transactions. [24] However, Rent-to-Own Industry News questioned the report's proposal to rein in cash prices by basing them on prices at traditional retail stores, citing similar initiatives in the past that were unsuccessful due to "unclear guidelines" and an "unmanageable" system.[25]

Recent policy reports

Policy Matters has published over 260 reports on economic development, education, taxes, and sustainability. These are the most recent reports on these fields.

Economic development

Report Name Description
New Law, Same Old Loans[26] Report confirms initial findings that payday lenders in Ohio are deliberately circumventing the new Ohio Short-Term Loan Act.
Ohio Receives "C" for Financial Stability [27] 2009-2010 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, released by Policy Matters Ohio and the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED).
State of Working Ohio 2009[28] Examines what has happened to wages, equity, work, productivity and unemployment in 2009.
Paying More, Renting Debt[23] A report about the perils to consumers posed by the rent-to-own industry.
Spending By Another Name[29] The 2009 Ohio tax expenditure report.
Trade Adjustment Assistance: New Opportunities for Ohio's Workers [30] Makes recommendations on increasing participation in the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
Foreclosure Growth in Ohio 2009 [31] Highlights the increase in foreclosure filings and advocates for state action.
Sheriff Sales in Ohio 2008 [32] Addresses the increase in Sheriff's Sales and advocates for action to stabilize communities.
State of Working Ohio 2008 [33] Examines what has happened to wages, equity, work, productivity and unemployment in 2008.
Public Benefits Subsidize Major Ohio Employers [34] Examines state and federal costs for Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance for the 50 employers in Ohio that rely most heavily on the public sector to help compensate their workforce.
Ocupational Shortages in Healthcare and Manufacturing[35] Urges the state to focus on employers that are actively addressing job quality and help them develop a comprehensive, long-term human resource strategy that provides meaningful career opportunities for workers.

Education

Report Name Description
Ready To Learn: Ohio Assessment Shows Charters, Magnets Get Head Start [36] Analyzes the state’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy at charter, magnet, and district schools in Ohio's urban neighborhoods.
Ohio's Initiative On Increasing Graduation Rates [37] A cost-benefit analysis of the recently cut state program to target at risk 9th grade boys, and increase their 10th grade promotion rates in an attempt to lower the high school dropout rate.
Leaders at Many Levels: Improving Schools Through Collaboration In Ohio [38] Discusses how to improve schools.
The Pre-K Pinch: Early Education and the Middle Class[39] Outlines the difficulties facing families who cannot afford quality child-care, and documents the benefits of providing universal, voluntary Pre-K for three- and four-year-olds.
Learning from Ohio's best teachers: A homegrown model to improve our schools [40] Recommends that Ohio expand the Peer Assistance and Review program state-wide.
Analyzing Autism Vouchers in Ohio [41] Analyzes Ohio's voucher program for education for children with autism.

Tax policy

Report Name Description
Not A Fat Cat: Commercial Activity Tax Adds to Ohio's Budget Problems [42] Reviews Ohio’s broad state tax on business – the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).
Stimulus for Ohio: US Unemployment Compensation Aid [43] Reviews the ways in which the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is bolstering families and communities across Ohio through new and expanded UC programs.
Spending By Another Name: The 2009 Ohio Tax Expenditure Report [44] Reviews tax breaks and their associated foregone revenue and recommends elimination of unnecessary credits and exemptions.
Business Tax Revamp: A Deficit in the Making [45] Reviews the effects to date of tax changes on state and local government revenues, what the overhaul has meant for different types of companies and industries and how the effects have compared with how the reform was promoted.
Connecting Free Tax Preparation and Asset Building: Cuyahoga EITC Coalition client study [46] Analysis of Cuyahoga County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition clients.
The 2005 Tax Overhaul and Ohio's Economy [47] Recommends revising our current tax structure to raise adequate amounts of revenue and enable the state to provide public services at a time of economic crisis.
Federal Estate Tax covers few Ohioans [48] Explains why the threshold of the tax needs to be restored, not set permanently at a lower level than it was prior to the cuts.
Limiting Loopholes: A dozen tax breaks Ohio can do without [20] Identifies tax breaks the elimination or limitation of which would make Ohio's tax system more fair and generate additional revenue.
Who takes credit: The Earned Income Tax Credit in Franklin County 2008 [49] Analyzes the benefits of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites run by the Franklin County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition
Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Cuts: No boon to the middle class [50] Reductions in taxes on investment income disproportionately benefit the wealthy and do not result in a increase in tax revenue.
A Step Toward Fiscal Balance: Options for Ohio's Income Tax [51] Recommends measures to address Ohio's budget shortfall.
Statement on the Budget Shortfall [52] Testimony regarding Ohio's budget shortfall.
Who Takes Credit: The Earned Income Tax Credit and Free Tax Preparation in Ohio[53] Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Cuyahoga County helped many working families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Sustainability

Report Name Description
A Renewable Borrowing Authority For Ohio? [54] Reviews the the proposal, the history of FPMAs and comparison of rates.
American Clean Energy And Security Act Of 2009: A Potential Boost For Midwestern Manufacturers [55] Outlines key provisions of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) that will help domestic manufacturers capture new markets and create and retain jobs.
The Apollo Alliance Green MAP Proposal and the Ohio Economy [56] Maps out firms that currently produce in sectors that serve new energy markets.
Carbon Cap And Invest (In Ohio) [57] Briefing paper on green jobs.
Good Bulbs, Bad Jobs [58] Explores the conditions of workers at a Chinese manufacturing plant that produces CFLs for General Electric.

References

  1. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/aboutpmo.html
  2. ^ http://www.communityshares.org/pressreleases/powerlunch.html
  3. ^ http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/392577/most_valuable_progressives_of_2008?rel=hp_blogs_box
  4. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/
  5. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/media.htm
  6. ^ Pakulski, Gary: "Biden lauds Toledo solar work", Toledo Blade, 24 June 2009.
  7. ^ http://obama.wsj.com/photo/0gGLawO0QbgxG?q=Joe+Biden
  8. ^ http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/06/policy_matters_ohio_shows_rent.html
  9. ^ http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/news/26734/
  10. ^ http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=13931&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com
  11. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/index.html
  12. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-tasini/general-electric-killing_b_94420.html
  13. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-03-25-ge-china-supplier-labor-abuses_N.htm
  14. ^ http://www.chinasourcingnews.com/2008/04/24/53230-acftu-ge-seriously-violated-chinas-labor-law/
  15. ^ http://origin.foxnews.com/wires/2008Mar25/0,4670,GEChinaFactory,00.html
  16. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/worldbusiness/26iht-safety.1.11429302.html
  17. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/apollo/index.htm
  18. ^ Majors, Stephen. "Advocates blast Ohio Gov.'s proposed budget cuts", Forbes, 24 June 2009.
  19. ^ Schiller, Zach. "What Ohio needs is a tax boost", Cleveland Plain Dealer, 26 June 2009.
  20. ^ a b Schiller, Zach. "Limiting Loopholes: A dozen tax breaks Ohio can do without", Policy Matters Ohio, Sept 2008.
  21. ^ http://daytonos.com/?p=3760
  22. ^ Krueger, Tim. [1], Policy Matters Ohio June 2009.
  23. ^ a b Rothstein, David and Stanek, Mike. "Paying More, Renting Debt: Why Rent-to-Own is a Bad Deal for Ohio Consumers", Policy Matters Ohio June 2009.
  24. ^ "Study finds rent-to-own costs excessive" Business Journal Daily, 23 June 2009.
  25. ^ "Policy Matters Ohio Prepares Rent-to-Own Report", RTO Online, 22 June 2009.
  26. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/SameOldLoans2009.htm
  27. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/CFEDScorecardCompanion2009.htm
  28. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/SOWO2009.htm
  29. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/OhioTaxExpenditures2009.htm
  30. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/TradeAdjustmentAssistance2009.htm
  31. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/ForeclosureGrowthOhio2009.htm
  32. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/SheriffSales2008.htm
  33. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/sowo_08.htm
  34. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/PublicBenefits2008.htm
  35. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/OccupationalShortages2008.htm
  36. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/KRA-L2009.htm
  37. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/OhioGradRate2009.htm
  38. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/LeadersAtManyLevels.htm
  39. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/Pre-KPinch.htm
  40. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/LearningFromOhiosBest.htm
  41. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/AnalyzingAutismVouchers.htm
  42. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/NotFatCAT2009.htm
  43. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/pdf/StimulusForOhio2009.pdf
  44. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/OhioTaxExpenditures2009.htm
  45. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/BusinessTaxRevamp2009.htm
  46. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/FreeTaxPrep2008.htm
  47. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/2005TaxOverhaul.htm
  48. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/FederalEstateTax2008.htm
  49. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/pdf/WhoTakesCredit2008.pdf
  50. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/CapGainsDivTaxCuts2008_0513.htm
  51. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/StepTowardFiscalBalance.htm
  52. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/StatementOnTheBudgetShortfall2008_0227.htm
  53. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/publications.htm#tax_policy
  54. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/RenewableBorrowingAuthority2009.htm
  55. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/ManufacturingOpportunity.htm
  56. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/GreenMAPBriefing2009.htm
  57. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/CarbonCapInvest2009.htm
  58. ^ http://policymattersohio.org/GoodBulbsBadJobs.htm
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Policy_Matters_Ohio&oldid=318692807"