OHDems

Columbus, Ohio – Republicans have been in charge in Ohio for nearly two decades, and the cost of childcare is out of control. New reporting from the Columbus Dispatch outlines the “woeful” state of childcare in Ohio and how Republicans are doing nothing to fix it while showering the super wealthy with tax giveaways and vouchers for wealthy private schools.

READ: Improving childcare critical for Ohio’s parents, employers | Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, 12/14/2025

• Do you have a spare $25,000 to spend every year? For nearly all Ohioans, the answer is surely no, especially if they are younger parents of two children facing inflation in everyday costs and soaring medical insurance premiums.

• But $25,000 is the cost parents in Ohio must pay if they enroll both an infant and 4-year-old child in full-time day care so they can work and provide for themselves. It’s a troubling percentage of the take-home wages for anyone with Ohio’s median household income of $72,000, per the US Census Bureau’s 2024 estimate.

• Ohio has resources it could choose to use for our youngest kids and their parents. […] One might wonder why Republican lawmakers continue to ignore this problem. It’s almost as if they believe women always should remain home with their children. Surely that’s not the case?

• Ohio’s children, parents and businesses need a comprehensive statewide plan to improve access and affordability for childcare.

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Columbus, Ohio- Today, Ohio voters are heading to the polls until 7:30pm to decide critical local elections across the state. The results of local races are often the most impactful day-to-day and Democrats are encouraging all Ohioans to make their voices heard.

Voting is open between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm at polling locations across the state. A valid, government issued photo ID is required in order to vote. A list of acceptable IDs can be found here. If you are still in line when polls close, stay in line. If you still need to return an absentee ballot it should be dropped off at your county board of elections by 7:30 pm in order for it to be counted. 

Ohioans with questions or concerns surrounding voting can call 866-OUR-VOTE for assistance.

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Columbus, Ohio – With open enrollment now underway, an estimated 583,000 Ohioans are bracing for record premium hikes as the ACA tax credits expire at the end of this year.

Senator Jon Husted has repeatedly voted to shut down the government rather than protect affordable health care for Ohioans, even as costs surge and coverage is at risk.

Here’s what Ohioans are reading about Jon Husted’s health care crisis:

Columbus Dispatch: Ohioans’ health insurance was expensive this year. It will cost even more in 2026, Samantha Hendrickson

• It’s time to mentally prepare yourself to be paying even more for health care in 2026.

• Workers under employer-sponsored health insurance are still reeling from the 6% on average cost increase in 2025, but relief isn’t on the horizon. 

• Rates are expected to spike even higher in 2026 – the largest percentage increase since 2010, possibly as much as 9%, and it’s the fourth year in a row health insurance costs will rise.

• By comparison, workers wages grew 4% and inflation is up 2.7% from a year ago.

• For Columbus City Schools classified staff like custodial, transportation and food services workers, health insurance with prescription plans will see a 10% rate increase. For certified employees like teachers, social workers and nurses, the rate increase will be 8%.

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