Policy Blog
Advocates Applaud Legislature and Governor DeWine for Reducing Debt-Related Driver’s License Suspensions with Passage of HB 29
Published January 8, 2025 Read the full press release at ACLU’s website Today, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29, legislation that will remove many of the financial barriers that lead to driver’s license suspensions. With the adoption of this policy, Ohio becomes the 25th state to move away from debt-related penalties. In Ohio,…
Read MoreCleveland VOTES wants Northeast Ohioans to get time off to vote in the 2024 election
By Greory Burnett Published October 28, 2024 Read the full article at The Land Cleveland VOTES has held numerous events this year to get people registered for the 2024 election. Now, they’re trying to ensure Clevelanders have time off to cast a ballot. [Photo courtesy of Erika Anthony] Donté Gibbs believes there’s a lot at…
Read MoreRep. Brewer and Suspended Licenses
Millions of Ohioans are being stripped of their right to drive due to their debt – for reasons unrelated to dangerous driving. Despite being unable to drive to work (or search for work) individuals can’t reinstate their license until all fines and fees are paid off. Why should someone be punished if they don’t have…
Read MoreOver 1 million Ohioans with criminal records are eligible to have their records sealed: What are we waiting for?
Published July 2024 in Policy Pulse, A Towards Employment Newsletter Article written by guest author Patrick Higgins The Getting Rehabilitated Ohioans Working (“GROW”) Act, House Bill 460, is a legislative solution to an issue that is widespread throughout Ohio: the pervasiveness of criminal records long after a person has served whatever penalty was imposed for…
Read MoreReal-Time Takes: STARs – Success Stories Despite the Odds
Did you know that if you are at least 25, have a high-school diploma but not a four-year degree, and are currently active in the workforce, you are a STAR (Skilled Through Alternative Routes)?
Although over 50% of the workforce are STARs (more than 70 million people), the job market deliberately prioritizes and rewards those with degrees.1 Opportunity@Work, in partnership with the Ad Council, launched ‘Tear the Paper Ceiling’, a campaign dedicated to advancing opportunities for STARs. Their research finds that while 67% of job descriptions require a four-year degree, only 30% of positions truly need a degree.2 Despite the need for qualified workers, employers continue to prefer and demand candidates with four-year degrees over STARs with relevant experience and knowledge.
Read MoreOpportunity@Work Awards $2 Million to Organizations Accelerating Economic Mobility for Workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs)
NEWS PROVIDED BY Opportunity@Work Jun 25, 2024, 09:00 ET Read the full article at PR Newswire National nonprofit’s latest grant program recognizes eight training and talent development providers committed to helping STARs access career opportunities in high-growth fields WASHINGTON, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — National economic mobility nonprofit Opportunity@Work today announced eight recipients of its Powering…
Read MoreYes, suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid debt is ‘absurd’: James Levin
A gavel is placed on its block in one of the courtrooms at the Cuyahoga County Court House, February 11, 2017.John Kuntz file photo | For cleveland.com Updated: Mar. 13, 2024, 5:56 a.m. Published: Mar. 13, 2024, 5:36 a.m. By Guest Columnist, cleveland.com Click here to view the full article at Cleveland.com CLEVELAND –…
Read MoreLost Your License in Ohio Due to Debt? A New State Bill Might Fix That
A Marshall Project – Cleveland and News 5 report helped spark a bipartisan bill to end spiraling financial strain on hundreds of thousands of drivers. December 21, 2023 By Mark Puente, The Marshall Project and Tara Morgan, News 5 Cleveland This article was published in partnership with News 5 Cleveland. Read the full article at The Marshall…
Read MoreBipartisan SB 37 addresses nightmarish Catch-22 of debt-driven license suspensions
Published: Dec. 11, 2023, 2:54 p.m. By Joi Carter and Jill Rizika Read the article on Cleveland.com Ohio employers and workers could receive an early holiday present through Senate Bill 37, which would slash the number of driver’s licenses suspended for failure to pay fees and fines. Enacting SB 37 will help end what The…
Read MoreAbout Senate Bill 37
About SB37 Senate Bill 37 removes the ability to suspend a person’s license for non-driving related issues, such as unpaid parking tickets, therefore removing the barrier to employment for millions of hard-working Ohioans and businesses that employ them. Ohio sees roughly 3 million license suspensions per year with over 60% of these being for debt-related…
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