A University of California professor told a conference at the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland last year that if you want to help the working poor, don't do it through the minimum wage but through the Earned Income Tax Credit. Groups around Ohio are gathering volunteers to offer free tax preparations just to ensure that the poor don't miss out on refunds that can amount to over $4,500. Malcom Costa of Akron Summit Community Action many low income people don't know about it.
Senator Sherrod Brown, State Treasurer Richard Cordray, and state rep Mike Foley of Cleveland are pushing a state Earned Income Tax Credit. But Governor Strickland says he doesn't believe Ohio can yet afford it.