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Struggling families can’t wait

With the release of the Century Foundation’s report: “Child Care Funding Cliff at One Year: Rising Prices, Shrinking Options, and Families Squeezed,” there was a look at challenges in Ohio, but also some praise for measures taken by the state ahead of the expiration of COVID-19-era federal funding. The report quotes Action for Children in Ohio, saying “’prudent and forward-thinking investments by state and local government means the flow of ARPA funding’ continued into 2024, despite the expiration of stabilization funds in 2023.” But there is still a problem. “The ...

Do not give up the fight on rail safety

In Ohio alone, residents received two reminders this week that rail safety reform is still desperately needed. On Wednesday a federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement for those affected by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. A day before, residents of Whitewater Township, Ohio, received an evacuation order after styrene began leaking from a Central Railroad of Indiana railcar. Styrene, which is both toxic and flammable, is carried in tank cars. A pressure release valve on the tank began to vent styrene, prompting crews to ...

Pay attention for ODOT workers

Frustrated with road work all over Ohio? Imagine how the workers must feel, as careless drivers zip by, ignoring the speed limit and traffic direction. It’s dangerous work, though it should be much less so. Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced 58 road crews have been hit on the job so far this year. That surpasses last year’s total. Who knows what might happen once the weather gets colder and perhaps snowier? Back in June, an ODOT worker was killed in a work zone accident on Ohio 60 in Muskingum County. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating ...

Taxpayers and students deserve better

In the absence of a viable, fair and constitutional school funding formula in Ohio, state lawmakers have decided instead to focus on manipulating the language of the state constitution to allow them to spend taxpayer dollars where THEY want to spend. A look at school funding by WCMH shows more than $5.5 million in tax money is being used to support renovation projects at private schools, in part because of their link to the state’s education voucher program. WCMH reports there is funding in the form of grant payments for 11 private schools, hidden in the one-time community ...

Continue the effort in stopping overdose deaths

Something is changing the numbers on overdose deaths in Ohio and across the country — and the change is a welcome one. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention preliminary data, the Buckeye State in 2023 experienced its first significant decrease in overdose deaths since 2017. Dennis Cauchon, founder and president of Harm Reduction Ohio, told The Statehouse News Bureau he’d been watching the data and by early 2024 realized these were more than just incremental changes. “When I realized it wasn’t a quirk, it made me cry, because every one of these deaths is ...

Well done, Washington County

Washington County schools have a lot to be proud of, with the release of Ohio School Report Card ratings last week. In fact, the Washington County Joint Vocational School District, which includes the Washington County Career Center, received a five-star rating — meaning it significantly exceeds state standards. That’s two years in a row now for such an outstanding performance. Warren Local and Fort Frye Local school districts both received four stars — meaning they exceeded state standards. “Our students and staff are what makes this happen first and foremost … it’s ...