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Policy Matters Ohio

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Policy Matters Ohio
FormationJanuary 2000
TypeNonprofit
Purposeeconomic policy
Location
Executive Director
Amy Hanauer
AffiliationsEARN, Demos, Emerald Cities, Economic Policy Institute, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, State Fiscal Analysis Initiative, Community Shares of Greater Cleveland, One Ohio Now, Ohio CASH Coalition
Websitewww.policymattersohio.org

Policy Matters Ohio is an Ohio-based nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status. The organization is a nonpartisan policy research institute that works to create a more vibrant, equitable, sustainable and inclusive Ohio through research, strategic communications, coalition building and policy advocacy. Founded in January 2000, its research focuses on economic issues facing low- and middle-income workers in Ohio. [1] The organization receives funding from a variety of local and national foundations, inlcuding the George Gund Foundation, the St. Luke's foundation and the Cleveland Foundation. [2] The Cleveland office is located in the Goodrich-Kirtland Park neighborhood. The Columbus office is located in the Uptown District.

Agenda

Policy Matters Ohio works for quality public structures, a fair economy, pathways out of poverty and sustainable communities. Policy Matters provides "ammunition for advocates" to ensure that the interests of working Ohioans are represented at the statehouse.

Policy Matters Ohio contributes extensive research on budget policy and tax policy in Ohio. Topics range from recent state cuts on local health and human service levies to tax cuts that shift the responsibility of revenue to Ohio's working class. Under Governor John Kasich's tenure, Policy Matters has covered the shift in taxation that overburdens working Ohioans and relieves the wealthiest. It has also charted Ohio's budget, specifically allocations to Medicaid and state government assistance.

Policy Matters also focuses on energy issues. It has published press releases on fracking, green energy and the weatherization of low-income households.

Among other topics, the organization takes on economic development issues, gathers data on job creation and campaigns against prison privatization.

Impact

Policy Matters Ohio works to innovative policy changes that improve the lives of Ohio families and strengthen Ohio communities. Among other accomplishments, Policy Matters has contributed to:

  • Raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, giving 330,000 poor working Ohioans a raise each year.
  • Reinstating collective bargaining rights for 350,000 Ohio public sector workers, strengthening communities and giving these workers a voice in the workplace.
  • Establishing an advanced energy standard, which reduces use of polluting fossil fuels, generates a market for renewables and conservation, and creates good, green jobs in Ohio.
  • Getting a state Earned Income Tax Credit in Ohio, which puts a little more in the pockets of 440,000 working families with children.
  • Passing an innovative layoff-aversion strategy that helps employers retain skilled workers and helps workers keep their jobs.
  • Researching the benefits of Medicaid expansion, which a large coalition of business and human service advocates worked closely with the governor to achieve. Medicaid expansion brings over $2.5 billion in federal dollars to Ohio in the first two years and extends health insurance to 366,000 low-income working Ohioans.

Policy Matters is a member of Greater Cleveland Community Shares, and was honored as the "Member Organization of the Year" for 2008. Policy Matters also has been recognized by The Nation magazine, Cincinnati CityBeat, the northeast Ohio chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the Mandel Center for Non-Profit Organizations, the Ohio Association of Non-Profit Organizations, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and Inside Business magazine.

Policy Matters Ohio has received financial support from a number of foundations, organizations and individuals, including the Ford Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, the St. Luke’s Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, the Sisters of Charity Foundation, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Public Welfare Foundation, the Stoneman Family Foundation, the Working Poor Families Project, Environmental Health Watch, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Raymond John Wean Foundation, the EMA Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, the Doll Family Foundation, Central Ohio Community Shares, and Greater Cleveland Community Shares.[3]

Outreach

Policy Matters cooperates with Ohio policymakers and has established strong ties with news media. Its research frequently appears in major state newspapers as well as television, radio, and web reports. The group's publications also gets attention from media outlets outside the state. In addition to releasing reports, Policy Matters researchers write op-eds and present findings on panels and at conferences.[4]

References

  1. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/about-us
  2. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/about-us
  3. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/
  4. ^ http://www.policymattersohio.org/category/press-room/recent-press
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