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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Ohio’s Young Adults Face Long Road to the Middle

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Monday, June 7, 2010   

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's a tough economy for Ohio's future middle class, as the deep recession combines with decades of declining opportunity and security. According to a new report from Policy Matters Ohio, just as they should be getting started, young adults face high education costs, lower wages and weaker regulation of exploitative lending.

Executive director and report co-author Amy Hanauer says that in the past, the New Deal, the G.I. Bill, the Higher Education Act, and a relatively higher minimum wage were there to help young people get education and start their families.

"In contrast to the post-war era or even the era through the '70s when we really were putting a lot of on-ramps in place, we've deconstructed a lot of those on-ramps and it's a little harder for people to make it into the middle class today."

Hanauer says with the right policies, opportunities can be restored that will help Ohio's young adults build a secure future. The report's recommendations include: enacting President Obama's American Graduation Initiative, enforcing the payday lending bill passed by the Ohio legislature, and ensuring adequate state revenue though a progressive, well-funded tax system.

Hanauer says building a strong middle class is essential to Ohio's economic stability.

"We've been losing by allowing the free market to send jobs out of this country, out of this region, and we need a coherent strategy to get this state back on course, and a strong public sector is part of how you have that coherent strategy."

Hanauer says an excellent first step is the recently-passed health care bill, which helps young people stay on their parents' insurance longer and helps low-income adults afford care.

The report is at www.policymattersohio.org


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