By Lynanne Gutierrez
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At Groundwork Ohio, we are committed to ensuring that every child in our state has the strongest possible start in life. But for too many working families with young children, financial insecurity is an overwhelming barrier. That’s why we have been leading efforts to convene a bipartisan coalition to support a refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the state budget—a policy that rewards work, strengthens families, and ensures that Ohio’s youngest children have the resources they need to thrive.
Governor DeWine’s CTC proposal presents a unique opportunity to bring together voices from across the political spectrum—early childhood advocates, faith communities, health and human services advocates and policymakers—to advance a pro-family, pro-work tax relief solution that benefits Ohio’s families, economy and workforce.
Broad, Bipartisan Support for Families
The idea of a Child Tax Credit is not new, nor is it partisan. Public Opinion Strategies recently conducted polling that found overwhelming support among Ohio voters. 84% of Ohio voters support a Child Tax Credit, including 83% of Republicans, 78% of Independents and 94% of Democrats. Support grows to 87% when voters learn that both President Trump and former President Biden have backed expansions of the federal Child Tax Credit.
This rare bipartisan agreement underscores a simple truth: helping families afford the basics is about doing what’s right for Ohio’s youngest children and economy.
Governor DeWine’s proposal for a refundable Child Tax Credit is a fiscally responsible way to give families the stability they need while ensuring that parents who work, or are trying to work, aren’t left behind. Unlike non-refundable credits that primarily benefit higher earners, a refundable credit helps working families who need it most, offsetting the rising costs of child care, housing, and daily essentials.
Why This Matters for Ohio’s Youngest Children
The data is clear: financial insecurity is one of the greatest threats to a child’s long-term success. Ohio families are facing immense financial strain:
Nearly half of parents with young children rate their financial situation as only fair or poor.
34% of parents with kids under five report struggling to pay rent or their mortgage.
47% are falling behind on credit card bills due to economic pressures.
82% of parents have been forced to cut back on groceries due to inflation, impacting their ability to provide healthy meals for their children.
When families don’t have the financial stability to meet their children’s basic needs, the consequences are lifelong—lower kindergarten readiness, higher rates of health complications, and reduced future earnings. Poverty in early childhood doesn’t just affect families today; it impacts Ohio’s future workforce and economy for generations to come.
This reality is even more stark in Ohio’s Appalachian region, where young children experience higher rates of poverty than their peers across the state. Supporting a refundable Child Tax Credit is a targeted, evidence-based solution to address these disparities and set Ohio’s children on a path toward success.
The Child Tax Credit Makes Work Pay
A refundable Child Tax Credit doesn’t just provide relief—it supports work and strengthens Ohio’s workforce. Right now, nearly half (49%) of working parents in Ohio have had to cut back their hours due to child care struggles. Among mothers of young children who aren’t working full-time, 61% say they would return to work if they had access to affordable, high-quality child care.
By providing direct support to working families, a refundable Child Tax Credit helps ensure that work remains financially viable. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between paying for child care and keeping a job. When we support working families, we strengthen Ohio’s workforce, boost economic participation, and create a more resilient economy.
An Invitation to Join Us
As we work to enact a refundable Child Tax Credit in the state budget, we invite partners from across Ohio to engage with us. Your voice is critical in making this bipartisan solution a reality.
Take Action Now:
Read Our Testimony – View our testimony to the House Ways & Means Committee outlining why this tax credit is essential for Ohio families.
Review the Polling Data – Check out the Public Opinion Strategies memo that shows overwhelming bipartisan support for this policy.
Join Our Coalition – If you or your organization would like to support this effort, we want to hear from you! Contact us at lgutierrez@groundworkohio.org to learn how you can get involved.
This is our chance to move forward together on a policy that strengthens Ohio families, supports our workforce, and ensures that all children—no matter where they live—have the opportunity to succeed. Let’s get this done.
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