Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Statehouse Policy

Innovation Ohio Announces New Communications Director

COLUMBUS — Today, Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, announced that Rachel Coyle has joined the team to serve as Communications Director.

Ms. Coyle brings a broad range of Ohio political experience to Innovation Ohio. She has held legislative and campaign roles with the Ohio Senate Democrats, directed communications for Joe Schiavoni for Ohio Governor and Cathy Johnson for Ohio Senate, and served as press secretary for the Ohio Democratic Party. She has previous experience with nonprofits as well, having managed grassroots advocacy and mobilization at ACLU of Ohio.

“Innovation Ohio has long been a leader in advocacy and coalition building around policies that support Ohio workers and families. Rachel will be a strong addition to our team as we work to broaden our reach and strengthen our state moving forward,” said Ms. Tims.

In her free time, Ms. Coyle operates a popular grassroots advocacy training program called “How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse,” which teaches Ohioans how to be effective Statehouse activists. She also manages the program’s social media presence. Her passion for cultivating public interest in Ohio politics and policymaking will help guide her work with Innovation Ohio.

“Desiree Tims and Innovation Ohio are working to shape the future of progressive Ohio politics. They know public pressure and advocacy will be the keys to lasting change. I’m thrilled to join such a vital organization as we build toward 2022 and beyond,” said Ms. Coyle.

Innovation Ohio will continue to build capacity in the coming months. Ohioans are encouraged to sign up for Innovation Ohio’s email lists for legislative updates, political resources, and more.

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Desiree Tims Named New President and CEO of Innovation Ohio

Today, Innovation Ohio announced that Desiree Tims will be the organization’s new President and CEO. She takes over from Janetta King, who founded the organization in 2011. 

“I am elated to take the helm of Innovation Ohio, one of our state’s premier policy and advocacy organizations,” said Desiree Tims. “Through research, coalition building, and advocacy coordination, Innovation Ohio has long been on the forefront of fighting for innovative policies that help working families and create economic opportunity from the bottom up. I am committed to continuing and strengthening this vital work as we face some of our state’s and nation’s biggest challenges.” 

Tims was born and raised in Dayton and is a proud product of Dayton Public Schools. After graduating from Xavier University, she worked in the Obama White House, and Capitol Hill for Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and a number of advocacy organizations. She is also a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. 

“Innovation Ohio has long led efforts to champion Ohio workers and honor the Dignity of Work, and I can think of no one better to lead the next chapter of the organization than Desiree Tims. Growing up in a working-class household in Dayton, Desiree has spent her career working for Ohioans like her, including through her work in my Senate office,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown. “I look forward to partnering with Desiree and Innovation Ohio in our continued efforts to create an economy in Ohio that works for working families.”  

In 2020, Tims gained national attention for her campaign against Congressman Mike Turner. Her energetic campaign drew in new activists and set fundraising records against the entrenched incumbent. 

“I am so excited to have this daughter of Dayton at the helm of one of the most important progressive organizations in Ohio,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. “Innovation Ohio has long been a resource and partner for myself and other progressives, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.” 

Innovation Ohio was founded as a progressive policy and advocacy hub. It has become an integral part of the progressive ecosystem, connecting activists and everyday Ohioans with statehouse advocacy. 

“Over the last decade, Innovation Ohio has become the go to resource for advocates and activists in Ohio,” said former Gov. Ted Strickland. “New, innovative leadership from Desiree Tims offers a great opportunity for this dynamic organization.” 

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October Poll Finds Trump Underwater in Ohio, Trailing Generic Democrat

Columbus, OH – A new poll from Public Policy Polling and Innovation Ohio shows that Ohio is set to return to its traditional status as a battleground state in 2020.
A memo on the results and the cross tabs can be found on Innovation Ohio’s website.
After winning the state by 8 points in 2016, the PPP survey finds President Trump trailing a generic Democratic 47-48% and an underwater 47-51% favorable/unfavorable rating. Given that state’s swing from 2012 to 2016, it is especially notable that President Trump trails a generic Democrat 37-51% with independent voters.
“As Democrats gather to debate in Ohio, these results show that Ohio will once again be a battleground in 2020, and any Democrat would be foolish to write off our state,” said Innovation Ohio President Janetta King. “Given his unpopularity with Ohio voters, it is clear that President Trump’s failures and broken promises are catching up with him in the state.”
“Ohio is a must-win state for President Trump. His poor numbers in this poll help to explain his early spending on TV and digital ads here,” King continued.
The poll also tested President Trump against five Democratic candidates; he failed to top 47% against any of them. This survey comes on the heels of similar results from Emerson Polling.
Founded in 2011, Innovation Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit thank tank that blends policy research and advocacy to fight for working families in Ohio.
PPP surveyed 776 Ohio voters on October 10th and 11th on behalf of Innovation Ohio. 60% of surveys were completed by telephone and 40% were completed by text message. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.5%.

Innovation Ohio’s New Report Finds Exploding Voucher Payments, Return to Lax Oversight of Charters in Ohio Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2019
Contact: Michael McGovern, mcgovern@innovationohio.org
 
Columbus, OH – A report from Innovation Ohio focused on the state’s new budget finds a huge increase in spending on voucher payments to private schools and a return to lax, pre-ECOT scandal charter school oversight. This is the latest budgetary explosion for a voucher program that has increased more than 600% since 2011.
 
“Given the ECOT scandal, it is astounding that statehouse leaders would loosen rules around failing charter schools that suck money out of Ohio public school classrooms,” said Innovation Ohio Education Fellow and report author Stephen Dyer. “What we need is closer scrutiny and reigning in these payments to private schools.” 
 
The report highlights four key giveaway to poor-performing, privately run schools: 
1. Weakening rules to automatically close failing charter schools
2. Lowering standards for dropout recovery schools
3. Weakening oversight of charter school sponsors, many of whom are for-profit companies
4. A huge increase in public dollars flowing to private schools via vouchers
The voucher expansion alone could cost Ohio public school districts another $73 million over two years, on top of an already ballooning $389 million per year private school voucher program.

Over the last several years, Innovation Ohio has been leading the fight to expose Ohio’s failing charter school system and sounding the alarm bells around expanding voucher programs. 

 
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Innovation Ohio Statement on Charter School Provisions in Operating Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2019
Contact: Michael McGovern
mcgovern@innovationohio.org
Columbus, OH – Today, Innovation Ohio President Janetta King issued the following statement regarding the charter school provisions in the state operating budget:
“It is disappointing that Republicans in the legislature have once again placed the interests of failing charter schools ahead of Ohio students and communities. The budget passed today weakens state oversight of charter schools like ECOT, which ripped off Ohio schools and taxpayers to the tune of $200 million. After the ECOT debacle, we should be strengthening, not loosening, the rules regulating charter schools. Ohio taxpayers – and more importantly, Ohio students – deserve better.”
Founded in 2011, Innovation Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank that blends policy research and advocacy to fight for working families in Ohio.

Innovation Ohio Statement on GOP Budget Failure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2019
Contact: Michael McGovern, 937-245-1232, mcgovern@innovationohio.org

Columbus, OH – Today, Innovation Ohio president Janetta King released the following statement in response to the failure of Ohio’s Republican leaders to meet the budget deadline:

“To miss a constitutional deadline like this is extraordinary. In the very few times it has happened in the past, it has been during a recession with divided government. Neither is true in this case. This is unprecedented under one-party rule and even more unbelievable given the rosy budget estimates. The Ohio GOP is clearly not able to get the job done.

“Blowing past a constitutional deadline like this is an embarrassment and will be noticed by those who evaluate the health and stability of Ohio’s finances. This dysfunction by the party that claims to be fiscally responsible jeopardizes Ohio’s bond rating and could be very costly for Ohio’s reputation and taxpayers.

“The question now is if GOP legislators will leave town and ignore the unfinished business required of them by the Ohio Constitution. Ohioans are known for our work ethic and grit—not throwing in the towel to go on vacation when there is a job to do. Gov. Mike DeWine deserves to be furious. Missing this deadline will have a significant impact on his administration and his effectiveness as a leader of the state and his party.”

Founded in 2011, Innovation Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank that blends policy research and advocacy to fight for working families in Ohio.

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Innovation Ohio Response to Gov. DeWine’s Budget 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2019
Innovation Ohio Response to Gov. DeWine’s Budget 
Columbus, OH – Today, Innovation Ohio president Janetta King issued the following statement in response to Gov. DeWine’s budget proposal:
“Gov. DeWine has talked a lot about investing in Ohio’s future. But for an ‘investment’ budget, this is very underwhelming. Gov. DeWine has assumed office following eight years of massive tax giveaways to the rich – leaving very little left for everyday Ohioans. Without a real discussion of new revenue, this budget cannot be viewed as a serious investment in our state.”
Founded in 2011, Innovation Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank that blends policy research and advocacy to fight for working families in Ohio.
Innovation Ohio’s 2019 budget priorities can be found online at: http://innovationohio.org/2019-budget-priorities/
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Innovation Ohio Releases 2019 State Budget Priorities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2019

Innovation Ohio Releases 2019 State Budget Priorities

Calls on DeWine to provide necessary resources to improve our state

Columbus, OH – Today, Innovation Ohio released its 2019 state budget priorities. As Gov. Mike DeWine prepares to introduce his first two-year state operating budget, Innovation Ohio urges the administration to include 15 key policies that will provide the resources our state needs to invest in its communities, children and working people.

These investments and revenues will strengthen our state in the long term and include policies DeWine advocated for during the 2018 election. IO’s budget priorities can be viewed here.

“Gov. DeWine’s budget will show us how committed he is to the policies he has advocated for in his campaign and State of the State speech,” said Innovation Ohio President Janetta King. “He has the opportunity to undo some of the damage done over the last eight years and get serious about investing in Ohio’s families and communities – we hope he takes it.”

Budget policies that Gov. DeWine and the legislature should pursue include:

Investing in Kids: For years, we have watched as our educational outcomes have lagged behind the rest of the country. It is time that we fund our K-12 and higher education systems adequately, and take steps to reform our school choice system and the failed Academic Distress Commissions.  

Protect the Dignity of Work: Ohioans who work hard and play by the rules should be able to provide for their families. Our state’s next budget must include policies that strengthen working families, including expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and quality childcare options, making paid family leave available to all Ohioans, preserving Medicaid expansion, and addressing wage theft.

Ensure Ohio’s Communities Have Sufficient Resources to Thrive: Our state has spent the last eight years undermining our local communities. It is time to undo harmful cuts to local governments and restore the Local Government Fund. We must also invest in a successful 2020 Census effort to ensure our state is allocated sufficient Congressional seats and federal funds.

Provide Adequate Revenues While Making our Tax System More Fair: Ohio has seen its tax system become steadily more regressive as working and middle-class Ohioans have been forced to shoulder more of the burden. Gov. DeWine’s budget must include adequate revenues in order to fully invest in the future of our state, and do so in a way that restores fairness to our tax system. We suggest two policy changes that would, when combined, recover $1.7 billion each year for investment in needed programs.

A fuller list of the policies listed above can be found here: Innovation Ohio’s 2019 State Budget Priorities

Innovation Ohio and its allies will be monitoring Gov. DeWine’s budget rollout closely and will be available for comment and analysis on Friday.

Founded in 2011, Innovation Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank that blends policy research and advocacy to fight for working families in Ohio.

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Innovation Ohio Releases New Medicaid Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2018

Innovation Ohio Releases New Medicaid Report
Policy report looks at gubernatorial candidates, includes county by county Medicaid numbers

Columbus, OH – Today, Innovation Ohio released a new policy report on what is at stake for Medicaid in this year’s gubernatorial election. The analysis, titled “Healthcare is on the Ballot in Ohio: Medicaid and The Governors Race,” examines the importance of Medicaid and where candidates Rich Cordray and Mike DeWine stand on the program.

The report is online here.

The report looks at new state and county-level numbers, as well as the potential impacts of each candidate’s plans. It also lays out the vital role Medicaid expansion has played in combatting Ohio’s opioid epidemic.

In Washington County, where the next gubernatorial debate will be held, nearly a quarter of the population relies on Medicaid for their healthcare. In neighboring counties in Appalachia, that number rises to nearly a third.

“Healthcare truly is on the ballot this fall,” said Innovation Ohio President Janetta King. “Medicaid is a vital program for all of Ohio, but it plays an outsized role in our Appalachian region. It’s important that voters know how their healthcare could be impacted by each candidate.”

While Cordray has expressed his support for Medicaid, DeWine has laid out plans that would cripple the program. DeWine sued to stop the Medicaid expansion and has expressed support for changes that could risk the healthcare of hundreds of thousands of Ohioans. The report notes that DeWine has still not taken a position on the legislature’s passage of a Medicaid expansion freeze, which Gov. John Kasich vetoed.

Other key findings in the report include:

  • 21% of Ohioans rely on Medicaid for their healthcare. In some counties, this number is as high as 40%.
  • Medicaid expansion has helped to lower Ohio’s uninsured rate from 13.9% to 6% in four years.
  • DeWine’s proposed changes to Medicaid could risk the healthcare of at least 318,000 Ohioans.
  • 59% of Ohio nursing home residents use Medicaid coverage for that service.
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