TANF
How Ohio can reduce poverty
Last month, the Census Bureau released its 2022 report on poverty in America. This report confirmed that poverty numbers increased dramatically in 2022 as the pandemic expansion of the child tax credit lapsed. With after-tax poverty increasing more in a single year than ever before and child poverty more than doubling in 2022, the outlook […]
Report: Columbus crisis pregnancy centers, funded by the state, show ‘gross inadequacies’
A study commissioned by the Columbus City Council and conducted by a pro-choice group showed crisis pregnancy centers greatly outnumber abortion and reproductive health clinics in the city, but don’t offer the same health services. The study was a follow-up to research done by Pro-Choice Ohio in 2013, but this time the investigation was contracted […]
Ohio Senate budget attacks poor people on food assistance, affordable housing, and other programs
The Ohio Senate Republican budget passed last week put forth a new vision for social safety net spending in Ohio. The proposal suggests reduced spending on food banks, housing for pregnant women, affordable housing, and school meals for poor children. It also proposes making it harder for low-income people to get access to Medicaid, SNAP […]
Ohio Senate introduces $85.7 billion operating budget
Ohio Senate leaders introduced their version of the new two-year operating budget Tuesday. They expect to vote on the $85.7 billion spending plan next week. Lawmakers have until a constitutionally mandated June 30 deadline to settle any differences and approve the budget. The Senate proposal reduces existing state income tax brackets from four to two. […]
DeWine funds more anti-abortion resources, some for adolescent pregnancy
Gov. Mike DeWine recently sent funding from a federal program for needy families to benefit state organizations specifically to reduce “out-of-wedlock pregnancies” and to “encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.” The funding also targets programs for adolescent pregnancy, a source of controversy as state abortion restrictions could increase the need for such programs. […]
‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’ stack deck against abortion clinics, do so with state support
Abortion advocates have said a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade could insert confusion into an already tense reproductive environment in Ohio. But Ohioans say that confusion already exists because of “crisis pregnancy centers,” which counter abortion clinics by offering services to discourage pregnancy termination, all with the help of millions […]
Black women with children excluded from federal cash assistance program, report finds
WASHINGTON — A new research paper reviewed how each state implemented a federal program that has provided cash assistance to low income families over the last 25 years—and found that Black women with children repeatedly were excluded. On a call with reporters Wednesday, policy experts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities outlined how states can […]
Federal funding for low-income families stayed in state coffers amid pandemic
State records show as the state went through a pandemic and many Ohio families lost their jobs, the state’s balance in federal and state funding meant for assistance to low-income families continued to grow. Ohio receives $725.6 million yearly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families […]
Report: Ohio among states choosing child care funding with fewer regulations
Update: This story includes comments from Governor Mike DeWine’s Office, provided Wednesday morning. A new report showed Ohio was one of many states in the nation choosing more flexible funding for their child care and assistance programs, rather than child care funding with federally-regulated rules on health and safety. A recent Bipartisan Policy Center study […]
Some ideas for Gov. DeWine on how to help struggling Ohioans
In his Aug. 25 news conference Gov. Mike DeWine outlined some good work the state is initiating to expand COVID-19 testing in underserved communities — presumably including neighborhoods of Black and Latinx Ohioans and people with low incomes. He indicated he’s open to ideas about how to help all Ohioans — no matter where they […]