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2019 photo by Jerry Masek

Mark your calendar now. June 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market kicks off its 2020 season. This vendor seems to have some very inviting strawberries to sell.

CONTENT SUBMITTED

March 26, 2020

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) today reported that jobless claims for Ohio soared to 187,789 for the week ending March 21 from 7,042 a week earlier. This is an historic high.

Last week’s jobless claims top the monthly filings of all but Ohio’s worst month on record, December 1981, when claims reached 205,159. The next highest month, December 1982, saw 167,638 claims: roughly 20,000 fewer than reported last week. Those monthly peaks happened during a recession that hit Ohio harder than the one in 2008. Ohio manufacturing jobs never recovered.

“Policy makers should take note that this is no time to slow the economy through spending cuts,” said Policy Matters Ohio researcher Michael Shields. “Ohio must turn to the federal government for fiscal stimulus dollars, both as direct supports for residents, and to prevent the state and local governments from having to make austerity cuts that would make matters worse.”

These numbers come just before large portions of Ohio’s economy were abruptly halted by Governor DeWine’s March 22 “stay home order,” intended to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The order mandated the closure of non-essential business activities and urged Ohioans to stay home. The filings show that Ohio employers were already shedding jobs in the midst of school and restaurant closures, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shields said that Gov. DeWine’s order was needed to save lives and that Ohio could not have stopped a coronavirus recession by hesitating to act.

We won’t know the specifics of which jobs were affected until next month, when the employer and household surveys we regularly feature in JobWatch come out for March. But Moody’s Analytics has classified jobs in five industries as most at-risk: Leisure and hospitality, transportation, mining, employment services, and travel arrangements. Together these jobs comprise 921,000 jobs: a fifth of all private sector Ohio jobs, and $234 billion in earnings. Moody’s released these projections ahead of school and restaurant closures, and stay-at-home orders in Ohio and other states, which will extend to other jobs.

“Ohio policymakers must act to preserve as many jobs as possible, and to support the spending of those who must be out of work, to prevent an even deeper recession,” said Shields.

Shields said that Ohio policymakers have primed Ohio for a deeper recession by leaving too many Ohioans on the fringe, with low earnings and few public supports.

“Policies that have left many Ohioans struggling at the margin will make the unfolding recession worse. Thankfully, Congress has approved additional aid for the states, but it probably won’t be enough, given the scale of the cutbacks. Ohio must do all we can to sustain government spending and avoid cuts that would make the recession worse,” he said.

Three solutions

Take full advantage of additional unemployment benefits approved by Congress and the General Assembly

Congress has stepped up and provided major additions to the unemployment (UC) system, including extending benefits to many workers not previously covered and creating a temporary $600-a-week payment for UC recipients. The new federal law also includes grants to states to improve and promote their work sharing programs, which allow employers to avoid layoffs by cutting hours while workers receive proportionate UC for days they don’t work. Work sharing will be of vital importance for those who can work off-site and for others once it becomes safe to return to the jobsite. Ohio should take full advantage of that opportunity so a maximum of employers are able to participate. Ohio’s unemployment compensation system currently covers only one in five jobless residents. That’s partly because state rules require workers to average at least $269 per week to qualify. A worker making $10 per hour for 25 hours a week – like many of the workers Gov. DeWine sent home from restaurants, childcare centers, and other businesses – don’t qualify. It appears the new federal law will allow many of these workers to temporarily receive benefits. Ohio needs to overhaul its system so that becomes permanent. ODJFS also needs to interpret new state legislation approved by the General Assembly yesterday broadly to make sure that workers who must stay home because of the virus – including those who fear for their health and are susceptible, such as older grocery store workers – receive benefits, as federal guidance allows. The UC system must be a true backstop for those affected by the economic slowdown.

Retain public sector workers

Public sector workers provide vital infrastructure and services, and their spending helps sustain the consumer economy. It’s public sector jobs that the state is most able to preserve in a downturn. Doing so and meeting other critical needs in the context of diminished tax revenues will require massive federal stimulus dollars directed to state and local government. The $150 billion earmarked in the CARES Act is a start. Yet Gov. DeWine has already asked state agencies to outline budgetary cuts of up to 20%. Such austerity cuts would exacerbate the severe recession already underway. Because the state is required to balance its budget, Ohio has budgetary constraints on its ability to inject stimulus into the economy, but stimulus will be critically important. Ohio should employ its rainy day fund to avoid cuts and should join other states in demanding adequate stimulus dollars from the federal government to sustain the economy against a collapse, for as long as it’s needed.

Require employers to provide paid leave

The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires many U.S. employers to pay up to 80 hours of paid sick time for employees who are out of work, and extended paid leave for 10 weeks after that in the case of workers who must take leave to care for a child out of school. Unfortunately, it leaves major gaps in coverage, which Ohio should fill. Ohio should mandate that large employers with over 500 staff, exempt from the federal mandate, provide emergency paid sick time to workers. Healthcare workers and first responders can be excluded from coverage under federal law at the discretion of their employers. Now more than ever, these workers put their lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. Ohio should mandate that all are covered. And the federal mandate allows small businesses with less than 50 workers to request an exemption. Employers are fully reimbursed for mandatory paid sick time they pay by the federal government with a tax rebate, so employers covered under that legislation only front the costs. Small businesses might seek an exemption because they lack the reserves to make those payments up-front. Ohio should require all employers comply, and should offer loans to firms seeking a small business hardship, to be paid back using the federal rebate.

CMSD locations and guidelines for meal pickup throughout COVID-19.

PRESS RELEASE

Photo by Jerry Masek

A 300mm telephoto lens was used to capture rush hour at a backyard bird feeder on Fairville Avenue in West Park.

CONTENT AND PHOTO CREDIT: CITY FRESH

For 15 years, City Fresh’s mission has been to improve the resilience of our community in the face of crisis.

The swift spread of COVID-19 has us all on edge. Our reliance on global systems of rapid delivery is and will continue to be tested. Cooking at home, eating well, and getting plenty of rest is going to be more important this year than ever. We sincerely hope you are well and taking good care of yourselves.

On our end, we are exploring ways to alter our distribution model to ensure your health and safety as well as that of our volunteers, hosts, farmers, and staff. Details will be forthcoming as we approach June, but at this time, we’re sprouting seeds in the high tunnels, pruning the orchards, and planning for a busy summer ensuring everyone is able to eat local and enjoy the bounty of fresh, healthy, delicious foods.

Remember that participating in City Fresh is an excellent way to:

• ensure that you are eating your allotment of fresh veggies
• bolster access to fresh local food for all thanks to tiered pricing and participation in SNAP
• support small farmers in sustainable agriculture

We hope to see you this season.

CONTENT AND PHOTOS CREDIT OF CITY FRESH

There’s just 6 more days left in our Early Bird sale! Order your veggie shares today and you’ll enjoy 2019 prices! This sale ends March 15.

Joining City Fresh is a great way to put your money where your values are. Eat well, support small farmers, combat climate crisis, offset the effects of income inequality, and build community – all for the price of dinner!

Eating locally and seasonally is a long term strategy for social and environmental change. Seasonal foods pack intense nutrition. Sustainable growing practices support the environment, improving the quality of soil, water, and air. Vegetables are good for your body: your heart, brain, and immune system depend on powerful nutrients. Getting your fresh local foods from folks in your neighborhood who love good eating helps connect you to others. Food is at the basis of all cultural traditions. It’s collaborative. It’s a way to exchange ideas and show love.

Join us in our efforts: connect, volunteer, eat well! Get all the good things we’ve got growing this season. Tag us on social media and let your communities know that you stand up for change! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Support sustainable agriculture and access to fresh food for all!

1.) Early in the morning, VOTE! March 17 is also Ohio’s Presidential Primary. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. First the ballot, then the booze.
2.) Worship with fellow Irishmen at a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 4427 Rocky River Dr. at Puritas Ave. March 17 is the 172nd anniversary of the church. After Mass, attend a reception with food and fellowship in the Lower Church.
3.) At 11:30 a.m., Lolly the Trolley leaves the St. Patrick Church parking lot, to be part of the Downtown parade. You can walk in the parade or stay in the trolley. To reserve your seat and pay $15, stop at the Rectory office during regular business hours. The parade starts at 1:05 p.m. on Superior Ave., from East 18th Street to Public Square.
4.) For more flexibility, join the thousands of people who ride RTA to the parade. March 17 is usually RTA’s heaviest ridership day of the year.
5.) Leave early, and give yourself lots of time. RTA operates extra rail service all day, but you may have to wait a bit.
6.) Be sure to park legally at an RTA station at Brookpark, Puritas-W. 150, West Park and Triskett. Transit Police may ticket and tow cars that block the smooth flow of traffic.
7.) Problems finding a parking place? For updated information, listen to radio traffic reports, or follow RTA on Twitter or Facebook, or visit rideRTA.com.
8.) Dispose of open beverages before riding RTA. Transit Police will enforce regulations.
9.) Leave your bike at home. With most trains filled to capacity, RTA will not allow customers to board with their bikes.
10.) After the parade, the celebration continues at many West Park night spots, especially those at Kamm’s Corners. Be sure to park legally.

These tips should help keep your Irish eyes smiling all day.

It’s here! The #CIFF44 program line-up is now live at www.clevelandfilm.org! Look for Program Guides to hit the streets beginning March 2. Find them at Cleveland Cinemas locations, most libraries, Dollar Bank branches, and coffee houses throughout the area.

Horizon Education has announced that they have acquired in a purchase from Ohio Guidestone, two Family Life Child Care Centers (Berea and Lakewood Facilities).
Horizon Education Centers is a leader in quality early care and education, preparing children and families for life for over 40 years. Horizon is a mission driven nonprofit making sure all families have access to high-quality programs, regardless of income or where they live.
Horizon is proud to be part of Cuyahoga Counties’ top-rated program. All ten of Horizon Education Centers are rated high-quality under Ohio’s Step Up To Quality Rating System. This rating ensures that your child will experience the following: qualified teachers, proven curriculum, family engagement, developmental screenings and electronic access to your child’s individual learning.
Horizon has formed partnerships and collaborations that have flourished with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Pre4Cle, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), PNC Bank, Starting Point, Art House, Music Settlement, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) and the Cleveland Food Pantry. These programs focus on Horizon’s core mission, and bring in many other organizations in a united effort for children and youth. We thank all our supporters and funders for their faith and investment in Horizon. We also appreciate the thousands of parents that choose us for their children; there is no stronger endorsement. Horizon Education Centers also has afterschool programming in two local Cleveland schools for the 2019-20 school year: Global Ambassadors Language Academy, and Louis Agassiz Elementary School.
Horizon Education Centers are open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for care and education.
For more information on any of our 10 centers, please give our Administration office a call at (440) 779-1930. Please visit our website at www.HorizonOhio.org.