At Oriana House, one of the primary ways we fulfill our mission of contributing to safer communities is by helping our clients overcome barriers that prevent them from working and earning sustainable living wages. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit has been an invaluable tool for helping companies throughout Ohio hire and retain hard-working individuals who just need a chance. This has helped to bring thousands of Ohioans off of the sidelines and off of public assistance and into meaningful careers.

For these reasons, we greatly appreciate and support U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown for their role in introducing bipartisan legislation that would make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent. This bill gives employers on-going assurance of support as they hire and retain overlooked individuals who are ready and willing to enter the workforce.

Thank you Senators Portman and Brown for your steadfast work and commitment to ensuring more Ohioans can find good-paying jobs. I urge Congress to quickly pass this important legislation.

Jim Lawrence

President/CEO

Oriana House, Inc.