Every year, Ohio gives hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses in the name of economic development. The goal is to lure companies to the state, to provide good-paying jobs for Ohioans and income tax dollars to the government. Why don’t we classify child care as economic development? A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says Ohio’s economy is losing nearly $5.5 billion a year in wages, business profits and taxes because of problems parents have accessing child care. That’s based on employees missing work, quitting or changing jobs, reducing to part-time hours, putting off school and declining promotions. (Of course the human benefits to backing public child care are worth so much more.) The Ohio Chamber backs the idea of a tri-share program which originated in Michigan, where parents, employers and state government share the cost of child care. It’s a start, with the total allotted in the state budget at $10 million. — Laura |
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Child care access and affordability is a nationwide problem that has existed for decades, but it accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. (Dan Gleiter, pennlive.com file photo) |
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Child care: Currently public child-care subsidies in Ohio are available for families who earn up to 145% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that’s $45,240, reports Laura Hancock. FirstEnergy rates: FirstEnergy’s request to increase prices on customers could end up costing the scandal-tarred Akron utility millions, reports Jake Zuckerman. Last year, the company filed a case with state regulators seeking a $183 million revenue increase, but auditors hired by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio recommended a far more modest $8.5 million boost. Sin taxes: Republican state lawmakers said Tuesday they are stripping Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed tax increases on cigarettes, marijuana, and sports gambling from the state’s budget bill, as well as changing the game plan to help the Browns pay for a $2.4 billion covered stadium in Brook Park, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Today in Ohio: An Ohio Republican who pushed for public schools to allow students to leave for religious instruction now wants to allow parents to claim “conceived children” for tax credits. We’re talking about whether the bill to help families is disguising a move against abortion on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Federal judges: Congressional Republicans led by Ohio’s Jim Jordan are leading a multi-pronged attack on federal judges who are blocking some of the more than 100 executive orders Donald Trump has issued since becoming president in January. Sabrina Eaton reports the House Judiciary Committee that Jordan chairs held a joint subcommittee hearing on “judicial overreach,” teeing up a vote today in the full House of Representatives on a measure that would block courts from issuing nationwide injunctions. State budget: House Republicans unveiled a leaner state budget Tuesday, stripping out tax hikes, scaling back several of Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed spending increases and reworking how the state funds education. Anna Staver and Jeremy Pelzer report that the budget lays out how Ohio will spend about $218 billion over the next two fiscal years. Gender issues: Republican state lawmakers have tucked new provisions in the state’s revised budget bill targeting pro-transgender policies, books and symbols, including a proposal that the state of Ohio would officially recognize only two sexes, reports Jeremy Pelzer. The budget would also ban public libraries from placing material related to sexual orientation and gender identity in areas where minors are likely to see them, prohibit state agencies from flying LGBT pride or other politically themed flags, and restrict state aid for youth homelessness from going to shelters that “promote or affirm” gender transition. Transportation budget: Gov. Mike DeWine has signed into law an $11 billion-plus transportation budget that repeals a state requirement to build a controversial highway interchange between Strongsville and Brunswick, reports Jeremy Pelzer. The budget also requires Ohioans to prove U.S. citizenship before registering to vote at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, revokes a $3.5 million state grant to a downtown Cleveland project headed by developer Bobby George, bans all Ohio counties and townships from operating traffic-camera programs, gives a pay raise to House Assistant Pro Tempore Phil Plummer and loosens a rail safety measure passed after the 2023 East Palestine train derailment. Max Miller: House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday after losing a procedural vote that would have blocked consideration of a measure letting new parents vote by proxy in the legislative body. U.S. Rep. Max Miller of Bay Village, who has a 1-year-old daughter, was the only Ohioan among nine Republicans who joined with Democrats in a 222 to 206 vote against the measure, reports Sabrina Eaton. Clap out: Emotional employees laid off from the U.S. Department of Education left their office space in the Cohen & Co. Building in downtown Cleveland for the last time Tuesday, carrying their personal belongings, honored by applause from supporters on the sidewalk during a “clap-out.” John Kuntz has photos. |
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Downtown improvement: Cuyahoga County Council newcomer Michael Houser Sr. didn’t weigh in on discussions about whether the county should contribute to a special tax to improve downtown Cleveland. So it seemed to surprise everyone when he suddenly voted against it. Houser tells Kaitlin Durbin he wants county dollars to stay local and wouldn’t support legislation that goes against his beliefs – even if he’s dissenting alone. Basheer Jones: Former Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones was sentenced Tuesday to two years and four months in prison for using his influence to line his and a romantic partner’s pockets, reports Adam Ferrise. U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese also ordered the one-time mayoral candidate to pay back $143,000 that he and others made off three schemes in which they swindled nonprofits. Starting seedlings: How do you get a jump start on your garden, by growing seedlings indoors? Susan Brownstein is back with tips on planting this spring in Northeast Ohio. Turnpike construction: The Ohio Turnpike is launched into the construction season Tuesday at several spots across the 241-mile northern Ohio highway, reports Rich Exner. Meeting expletive: University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan told a city councilman “f--- you” before walking out of a public meeting last week, reports Cory Shaffer. The expletive came during the University Heights Municipal Complex Project Committee’s March 27 meeting. |
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Lighting HQ: Ohio has approved a nine-year job creation tax credit that officials say will help bring a lighting company’s North American headquarters to Solon, reports Megan Sims. EGLO, a lighting manufacturer and distributor with locations around the world, was approved Monday for a $1.3 million tax credit for its new facility. |
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Chase crash: The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office released the identity of a Cleveland man killed in a car crash following a police pursuit on Interstate 90, reports Olivia Mitchell. Nigel Wayne Perry, 24, died Friday after he led Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputies on a chase that began in Cleveland and ended near the city’s border with Bratenahl. Chase policy: The crash that killed Nigel Wayne Perry, 24, at the Eddy Road exit to Interstate 90 is the latest incident that raises concerns about when officers should go after speeding cars on city streets and highways. Lucas Daprile reports the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department does not have crime-specific limitations on when a deputy can pursue someone fleeing a traffic stop. Library shooting: One person is in custody following a shooting Tuesday afternoon at Shaker Heights Public Library on Lee Road, police said. There are no other suspects in the shooting that occurred at about 4:42 p.m., Peter Krouse reports. Rape acquittal: A Cleveland man accused of raping and strangling a woman was acquitted of his most serious charges Monday after representing himself at trial, reports David Gambino. |
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Ask Yadi: Do you have to spend the same amount of money on gifts for adult children? Yadi Rodriguez writes that if you choose to do extra for one or more of your children, you are entitled to do so without criticism from anyone. Sandwich shop: Little Cloud Sandwiches is officially opening this week, bringing elevated sandwiches to Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, reports Alex Darus. Smashing Pumpkins: Smashing Pumpkins singer-songwriter-guitarist and leader Billy Corgan and his new solo project Billy Corgan and The Machines of God are embarking upon a summer tour dubbed “A Return To Zero Tour.” Malcolm X Abram reports the tour will stop at The House of Blues Cleveland on June 25. Disturbed: The band Disturbed, which has a new record on the horizon, are rightfully celebrating their breakthrough album by playing it in its entirety on tour, writes Malcolm X Abram. Monday night at Rocket Arena, the quartet played to a crowd of graying Gen-Xers, some headbanging Baby Boomers and a few Millennials, many of whom spread the “The Sickness” to their young, judging from the very healthy heaping of fans under 30 who came to rock out to the oldies. 'Fiddler on the Roof': Cleveland Play House has extended the run of its upcoming production of “Fiddler on the Roof” before the show has even opened, Joey Morona reports. Citing popular demand, the theater has added more seats and an extra week of performances. The musical will now run April 26 to May 25 at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square. Arthur Treacher’s: Arthur Treacher’s officially opened its third location Tuesday in Northeast Ohio, this one in Cleveland Heights, reports Alex Darus. Anchor Lorain: The Anchor Lorain opens on the first floor of Lorain’s Ariel Broadway Hotel at 4 p.m. today. The new upscale, yet affordable, restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Mark Wilson, reports Paris Wolfe. 'Collegiate Gothic': There’s something about Matthew Meduri’s new novel “Collegiate Gothic” that feels like a Wes Anderson film in pre-production. Peter Chakerian reports the writer-educator and Kent native knows that world well. It’s in his backyard, after all. |
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Parma Heights man charged with attempted murder after incident outside Mayfield apartment Read more Office-lab is latest proposed ingredient for Valor Acres in Brecksville Read more Oberlin’s Youth Climate Action Fund to award $100,000 in grant funding Read more Hildana Park to get $230,000 makeover: Shaker Heights City Council recap Read more Brecksville creates ‘community entertainment district’ to allow liquor sales in Valor Acres Read more |
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