A raise should help a worker get ahead. Too often, benefit cliffs make that raise a risk.

Longtime Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Jack Schron of Jergens Inc. recently testified before the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee in support of legislation to fix benefit cliffs, warning that workers can be left worse off for accepting higher pay, more hours or a promotion.

That should offend everyone who believes work ought to be rewarded.

“Only government could design a system where a worker can be punished for accepting a raise,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “Benefit cliffs trap Ohioans, stall careers and make it harder for employers to reward work. Work should always be a ladder, not a cliff, and Congress should fix this broken policy.”

Ohio needs policies that help people move up, not rules that force workers to choose between getting ahead and keeping their families stable. 6/4/2026