Source:https://www.10tv.com/
A new Ohio House bill, known as the STORK Act, aims to help families with the costs of having and raising a baby. Sponsored by Republican State Representative Gary Click, House Bill 654 proposes allowing families to claim “conceived” children as dependents on their state income tax returns in the year of conception, rather than waiting until the child is born. The goal is to provide a small tax break to support parents.
State Representative Gary Click’s proposed STORK Act aims to provide financial relief for families by allowing a $1,200 tax deduction for “conceived” children, applicable in the year of conception. Click argues that this deduction acknowledges the early expenses parents incur, such as preparing a nursery and buying baby gear. The tax break would offer an estimated $60 in savings and is designed to benefit all families, with particular emphasis on lower-income families. Click highlights the high costs of childbirth, noting that the average out-of-pocket expense for those with insurance was $2,854 in 2022.
At the Reynoldsburg branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, two mothers shared their experiences with the costs of raising very young children. Danessa Smith, with her seven-week-old daughter Nova, noted the significant expenses of small, everyday baby items. Teresa Coulter, whose 11-month-old son Lewis is her first child, talked about starting from scratch with essential items like a crib, changing table, and babyproofing supplies. Both mothers highlighted the substantial financial burden of preparing for and raising a baby.
The proposed STORK Act would not have benefited the mothers interviewed, as it is a future measure and does not address past expenses. Both mothers expressed that an earlier tax break would have eased their financial burden. Rep. Gary Click, the bill’s sponsor, stated that while he supports the concept, the bill is not intended to challenge or undermine the abortion rights amendment passed in November 2023. He clarified that the bill is focused on providing financial assistance to families and does not address miscarriages, though he plans to address this issue in future legislation. Click also mentioned that if the bill does not pass in the current legislative session, he will reintroduce it next year.
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