As Ohio families struggle to afford food and child care, legislation that can help sits in committee. The Thriving Families Tax Credit, or House Bill 290, was introduced in October. The legislation would help ease financial burdens for families with children. Advocates continue to urge lawmakers to pass the bill, but Republicans have yet to take it up.
Bill Introduced in October
State Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) introduced the bill at a press conference in October 2023. They urged their colleagues to consider and pass the legislation to help Ohio families.
“I strongly believe that all families, regardless of zip code, should be able to succeed in our state. Providing a benefit such as the Thriving Families Tax Credit allows parents, grandparents, and caregivers to determine what is best for their budgets and their children’s needs,” said Rep. Weinstein. “I’m proud to put forward this bill to show that we trust and support Ohio families to do just that.”
“Ohio families are asking for help, and the Thriving Families Tax Credit sends a strong message that we are listening,” said Rep. McNally. “If we really want Ohio to be the best place in the country to raise a family, then we need to start putting families first.”
Legislation Stalled Despite Calls for Action
The legislation has stalled since its introduction, but Ohio families are still looking for relief. Experts agree that the tax credit can provide crucial resources to help families. An analysis by Policy Matters Ohio found that House Bill 290, combined with reforms in the federal refundable tax credit system, could bring financial relief to low and moderate-income families.
Ohio food banks are also joining the call to pass this legislation. Sarah Kuhns, advocacy and engagement manager with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, told Cleveland Scene that 8 in 10 Ohioans are relying on food banks because of high prices, and are being forced to choose between groceries and paying for such basic needs as utilities, medication and transportation.
She says that tax credits have proved to be effective for helping families reach financial stability.
“We saw during 2021, when the federal child tax credit was being paid out monthly to families, we saw a decrease in the number of households with children that we were seeing in our lines,” Kuhns explained.
Jessica Semachko, Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Director of Advocacy and Public Education, agrees. “We know that policies like the Thriving Families Tax Credit will really provide that financial stability for families to be able to make ends meet,” she told News5 Cleveland.
Despite calls from family advocates, House Republicans have yet to move the bill forward. The possibility of passing the bill is uncertain given the Republican supermajority’s reluctance to take it up. Constituents can find and contact their representatives for updates on this legislation at ohiohouse.gov.