Highlights
Ohio Parents Could Split Child Care Costs With Employer, State Under New GOP Bill
Source: cleveland.com
The soon-to-be-introduced legislation in Ohio aims to significantly reduce childcare costs for many families by having participating employers and the state cover two-thirds of the expenses.
Key Highlights:
- The legislation would significantly reduce childcare costs for families, with a “tri-share” approach where participating employers, employees, and the state each pay one-third of the expenses.
- The proposed bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Mark Johnson and potentially supported by a twin bill from State Sen. Michele Reynolds, aims to alleviate the financial burden of child care for families making up to 300% of the federal poverty line.
- The bill’s fate is uncertain, with Johnson estimating a 50/50 chance of passage before the current legislative session ends in December. Support from Ohio’s business community, which has been advocating for more accessible and affordable child care, may influence its success.
- The proposed model is inspired by similar programs in Michigan and other states, which have shown success in increasing employee retention and benefiting the workforce and economy.
- While some expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the bill, others, like Cleveland City Council member Charles Slife, raised concerns about the financial feasibility for entities like municipalities and advocates for increased state funding for child care support.
Overall, the proposed legislation aims to address the rising cost of child care in Ohio and improve accessibility for families while balancing concerns about budgetary constraints and financial sustainability for employers and government entities.
Picture Source: cleveland.com
