'OBBB' and childcare: Solutions to foster a thriving workforce

Passing a large federal tax bill is no easy task. Passing a Republican bill that includes a focus on Child Tax Credits — indeed, an increase, says a lot about who we are as a party — and where we need to be moving forward. I applaud the work of our federal leaders who had the foresight to target this area of the law for tax relief. Raising children is expensive — and it's appropriate for the federal government to bring relief to those attempting to do just that in the year 2025. Admittedly, I am a (proud) grandfather. I don't currently need childcare to do my job. And, yet this has become an important issue to me because 1) I am pro-life, 2) I am a conservative, and 3) I know that our local businesses need workers. If one were to take a moment to realize the ecosystem of interconnectedness, one would see why fixing childcare will usher in so many downstream benefits. It was brought to my attention that many young individuals have found themselves in a position where they have gone to college, are working in their professional field, and only then realize they need an answer to the question: how do I work and have children? Suddenly, they are thrust into a world that many well-intended leaders are finally beginning to reflect upon. A world that has shortages for good daycare options. And, when they are found, they come with a price tag too huge for many to want to continue to work, because it doesn't make financial sense to work solely to pay for childcare. For those with a spouse who makes over the threshold to receive federal childcare support, they are largely left without options. And, as a domino effect, businesses are left without workers. For any financially stable parent who wants to stay home with their children, I believe that their decision should be respected. But, as we navigate the realities of our society today, I also believe the goal of empowering women to feel they can keep their unborn babies and keep their jobs needs to be on the forefront of consideration of any truly pro-life legislature in a post-Issue One Ohio. That is why I intend to introduce legislation in the Ohio House of Representatives, as a companion to Senate Bill 177, which will tie this goal withgood business sense. I believe this legislation will expand the tax base to pay for itself. My proposed solution, inspired by a neighboring state, will begin as a limited amount pilot program to allow for childcare workers to have childcare for their children paid for by the state — regardless of other family income — in exchange for work. Currently, too many would not qualify for federal aid if they worked — so, quite simply, they don't. Yet, getting them to would expand access into the childcare deserts in Ohio — with hopes of driving down market costs as well. For my fiscal conservative friends whose brows may raise, please look closer at this oxymoron. Under this structure, we are incentivizing economic growth by taxing the income of the childcare worker and the income of the parents now able to work so as to pay for the pilot. The math here is simple: if we pay even $10,000 per child to the childcare provider for the individual receiving the childcare grant to workthere, we then can tax 1) the childcare worker's income and 2) the income of at least five other parents who can then stay in the workforce because one new childcare worker can offer five more slots (and, sometimes more depending on age). This math doesn't even account for any other taxes the state can then collect on the output of the parents now working outside of the home. (Again, I'm talking about those who wanted to stay in the workforce, but felt they had no path forward as a safe, affordable, option for their beloved child(ren).) Indeed, the parents of the children in those daycare slots likely have increased income opportunities in the areas that are childcare deserts, which further increases the return on investment. Even at the Flat Tax Rate, taxing such a large pool of new revenue is a targeted and wise investment to try to collect on the over $1.5B (yes, billion) in tax dollars that are left on the table due to childcare issues. Don't believe me? Please read the 2025 Ohio Chamber report which concluded that childcare issues result "in an estimated $5.48 billion annual loss for Ohio's economy." My bill will help put people to work, will empower women to choose life (indeed, possibly even consider further expanding their families and the workforce), and will not be a financial burden on the taxpayers of Ohio since it will serve to expand the tax base instead of simply subsidizing an economy. We cannot leave our heads in the sand on this issue any longer and hope that businesses will find workers. I believe thoughtful solutions suchas this are the MAGA way forward and I hope to see more creative solutions in the future from my conservative colleagues at the state and federal level. Gary Click, R-Vickery, is the representative in Ohio's 88th House District. He can be reached at rep88@ohiohouse.gov.