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2026 Voter Guide
Find your House candidates below. Click arrow to read their answers.
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Office you are running for:State Representative, District 4.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support many pro-work, pro-family solutions like: fully funding our public K-12 schools, Public Pre-school, more publicly funded childcare and other creative solutions that will make childcare more available and affordable, an earned income tax credit, rising the minimum wage, among others.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Among other priorities, I support fully funding our public K-12 system of public education and investing in public pre-school. I also support various approaches to making healthcare, childcare and housing more affordable. We need to invest in earlier detection and intervention for children. Overall, I know that investment in our youngest Ohioans is not only the right and moral priority, but also has a huge return on investment.
Office you are running for:Re-election to Ohio House District 5.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?As part of the Ohio House, I, along with my Democratic colleagues, am committed to tackling the affordability crisis by championing pro-work, pro-family solutions. We advocate for reducing child care costs to relieve the financial burden on families, allowing them to expand and thrive. Additionally, we support initiatives that promote wage growth and job creation, which are essential for improving living standards. By enhancing access to affordable healthcare and implementing tax incentives for businesses that prioritize employee welfare, we can help lower everyday expenses like gas, energy, and food. These comprehensive strategies aim to empower Ohioans and ensure a better quality of life for all families.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities for supporting Ohio’s youngest children focus on making child care more affordable and accessible. I strongly advocate for H.B. No. 777, the Fair Tri-Share Child Care Program Act, which effectively splits child care costs among employees, employers, and the state, easing the financial burden on families. Additionally, I support H.B. No. 759, the Ohio Vets-Military Families Childcare Act, to provide further assistance for military families. Alongside these efforts, I call for reducing overwhelming health care costs so families can prioritize their well-being without having to choose between essential medications and other basic needs.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 6.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes.
Absolutely. Parents should not have to choose between going to work and finding safe, affordable care for their children. When families cannot find child care, employers lose workers and our economy loses talent. Making quality child care more available and affordable helps parents stay in the workforce, supports employers, and gives children a strong start.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Ohio should do more to make safe, high-quality child care and preschool affordable and available in every community. I support increased state investment in child care, expanding access to early childhood education, and working with employers and providers to increase the number of available child care slots. These investments help children succeed while giving parents the stability they need to work and support their families.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant people, babies, and young children is essential. Families should be able to access prenatal care, safe deliveries, postpartum care, regular checkups, and preventive health services without worrying that they cannot afford them. Investing in healthy moms and healthy children gives Ohio families a stronger foundation and can prevent more serious and expensive health problems later.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I believe Ohio should make it easier for families to work, raise children, and build a stable future. That means expanding access to affordable child care, increasing wages, lowering health care and prescription drug costs, addressing medical debt, supporting paid family leave, and making housing and everyday expenses more affordable. I also support policies that help employers recruit and retain workers, including incentives for businesses that help their employees access quality child care. Families who work hard should be able to afford the basics, care for their children, and get ahead.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities include expanding access to affordable child care and preschool, strengthening early childhood education, protecting Medicaid coverage for children and pregnant people, and making health care more affordable for families. I also believe we need to address the broader pressures facing parents, including wages, housing, food costs, medical debt, and access to paid leave. Giving children the best possible start means supporting the whole family and making sure parents have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 7.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Quality child care is absolutely a workforce issue. When families, especially women, cannot find reliable, affordable childcare, parents are forced to reduce their hours at work, leave the workforce or turn down job opportunities.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I support more state government action to expand access to affordable child care and preschool. We must do our part in making these services more affordable and accessible. Investment into child care is an investment in Ohio families and the future of these children.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.For many working families, Medicaid coverage is the difference between receiving care and not receiving care. It is essential to protect coverage for pregnant women and young children in Ohio.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?We are experiencing an affordability crisis in this country and in our state. Ohio families are working hard and still unable to afford necessities. We need affordable childcare in this state, increase housing supply, support workers’ rights and strengthen programs that help families afford food, health care and other essentials.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My campaign is centered around making life easier for families. We must invest in our communities and infrastructure including housing and the cost of childcare. Ohio’s youngest children deserve to grow up in good homes and be taken care of while their parents are at work. We must adequately fund our public schools so children can attain a reliable and enriching education. I do not believe in taking short cuts when it comes to investing in the next generation.
Office you are running for:Reelection to The Ohio House of Representatives (HD8).Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes, access to quality, affordable child care is a critical workforce issue. When parents cannot find reliable child care, they are often forced to reduce their hours, leave the workforce, or delay returning to work. Expanding access to affordable child care strengthens Ohio’s workforce, supports working families, and helps businesses attract and retain employees. Women are the ones who are often forced to leave the workplace if child care is not available.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I support additional state investment to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool. Too many Ohio families are struggling to find quality care they can afford, and that challenge impacts both parents and our economy. By investing in early childhood education and supporting working families, Ohio can help more parents stay in the workforce while ensuring children have the strong start they deserve.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I absolutely support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children. As a physician, I understand the importance of access to timely prenatal care, healthy deliveries, and early childhood health services. Ensuring families have access to the care they need not only improves outcomes for children, but also helps prevent more costly health issues in the future. It also reduces the cost of care by allowing families to get preventive and address medical issues before they become serious.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I am proud to have recently unveiled legislation with my Democratic colleagues to lower costs for Ohio families by reducing health care premiums, expanding access to affordable child care, increasing housing affordability, and protecting consumers from hidden fees. I believe state government should focus on solutions that help families make ends meet and create an Ohio where people can afford to work, raise a family, and build a future. Beyond these proposals, I support a range of pro-work and pro-family policies that strengthen Ohio families, including investments in public education, protecting the right to collectively bargain, supporting small businesses, and ensuring parents have the resources they need to succeed. When families have greater financial stability, our communities and economy are stronger.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?As an OB/GYN, I know that the earliest years of a child’s life are critical to their long-term health and success. My priorities include expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care and preschool, protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and young children, and ensuring families have access to the health care and resources they need to give their children a strong start. Continuous coverage from ages 0 to 3 helps families get their kids in for vaccinations and developmental checks. I would work to make sure we keep that in place. I am proud to have supported legislative efforts to expand access to early childhood education, including legislation to create greater access to preschool opportunities for Ohio children. I also support policies that strengthen working families, including expanding access to child care, supporting caregivers, and providing families with the resources they need to thrive.Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their zip code or family circumstances. By investing in Ohio’s youngest children and supporting the families who care for them, we can build a healthier, stronger future for our state.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives - District 11.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Absolutely. Child care is one of the most significant workforce issues facing Ohio because parents can't participate fully in the workforce if they can't find or afford safe, reliable care for their children. When we invest in affordable, high-quality child care, we're not just supporting children and families—we're strengthening our economy, helping employers fill jobs, and giving every Ohioan a better opportunity to succeed.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. I strongly support greater state action to expand access to affordable, safe, high-quality child care and preschool because every Ohio child deserves a strong start, regardless of their family's income or ZIP code. That's why I introduced House Bill 800, the Preschool for All Act, to make preschool more accessible and affordable for every Ohio family by expanding opportunities for children to attend high-quality early learning programs. Investing in universal access to preschool helps children enter kindergarten ready to learn, gives parents greater financial stability and flexibility to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Ohio's future by building a better-educated, more competitive generation.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. I strongly support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio's pregnant women and youngest children. Access to prenatal care, healthy pregnancies, and early childhood healthcare leads to better outcomes for families, reduces long-term healthcare costs, and gives every child the healthiest possible start in life. As policymakers consider Medicaid reforms, we should be strengthening these essential protections—not creating barriers that put the health and well-being of mothers, babies, and young children at risk.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support pro-work, pro-family policies that make it easier for Ohioans to succeed—expanding affordable child care and preschool, strengthening access to healthcare, and creating pathways to economic independence for people with disabilities. That's why I introduced the Preschool for All Act (HB 800) to make high-quality preschool more affordable and accessible, and sponsored legislation like HB 581 to expand the Medicaid Buy-In program so more Ohioans with disabilities can work without losing their healthcare. When we remove barriers to work and invest in children and families, we build a stronger workforce and a stronger Ohio. I have introduced multiple pieces of legislation to address childcare access and affordability, and am currently serving as the ranking member of the House Children and Human Services Committee.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Supporting Ohio's youngest children has been one of my top priorities in the General Assembly because we know that investing in children early creates stronger families, a stronger workforce, and a stronger Ohio. That's why I've been proud to serve as the primary sponsor of legislation that addresses the full spectrum of children's needs—from expanding access to affordable, high-quality early learning through the Preschool for All Act (HB 800), to strengthening Ohio's child care system through HB 787, and improving access and affordability of childcare to military families HB 759. I've also championed HB 140 to improve outcomes for children by lifting families out of poverty through tax credits, HB 585 to expand housing opportunities for Ohioans with developmental disabilities, HB 699 to ensure children and families can access medically necessary prescription medications, and HB 827 to increase eligibility to publicly funded childcare. Together, these bills reflect my belief that every child deserves a healthy start, every family deserves the opportunity to thrive, and Ohio has a responsibility to invest in the well-being of our next generation.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 14.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. As a former public school teacher, I have seen firsthand the importance of strong early learning experiences. I believe quality child care strengthens school readiness, supports working families, and provides employers with a more stable workforce. Public policy should recognize child care as essential infrastructure that benefits children, parents, businesses, and communities alike.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. I support thoughtful state action to expand access to affordable, safe, and high-quality child care and preschool. Every child deserves the opportunity to enter kindergarten ready to learn, regardless of their family’s income or ZIP code. At the same time, working families need access to reliable child care so parents can participate fully in the workforce.I believe the state should make strategic investments that strengthen our child care system, support early childhood educators, and help providers remain financially sustainable while maintaining high standards for safety and quality. We should also continue to support evidence-based preschool programs that improve school readiness and long-term educational outcomes. As a former teacher, I know that investing in children during their earliest years is one of the smartest investments we can make for Ohio’s future.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. Access to consistent prenatal care can help identify complications early, connect expectant mothers with needed services, and improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies.Early childhood is a critical period for physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Access to preventive care, screenings, vaccinations, and treatment of health issues during these earliest years can have lasting effects on a child’s future well-being.Early intervention can also help reduce the need for more costly emergency or intensive care later. Ensuring young children have access to health coverage can ease financial pressures on families by helping them receive necessary medical services without facing unexpected expenses.Health and early development are closely connected. Addressing health needs early can help children be better prepared to learn, grow, and succeed in school.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?*Lowering energy and utility costs*Addressing food insecurity*Housing affordability*Child care affordability and workforce support*Promoting policies that grow good-paying jobs and workforce opportunities*Health care affordabilityCould you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?* Early childhood health: prenatal care, infant health, preventive screenings, vaccinations, and early intervention services.* Affordable, quality child care: increasing access to safe child care options and supporting a stable early childhood workforce.* School readiness: ensuring children have the developmental, social, and academic foundations needed before entering kindergarten.* Family economic stability: addressing the costs of housing, food, utilities, health care, and child care that can affect children’s well-being.* Support for families and caregivers: connecting families with resources that help children thrive during their earliest years.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 15.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I am a member of the Finance, Ways and Means, and Energy committees. I have consistently supported lowering the cost of utilities and tax burdens on working families. I have also consistently supported the funding of critical programs, credits and initiatives that provide the services working families rely upon.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Universal kindergarten and pre-k, paired with quality childcare options that prepare kids and wrap around school, should be a central objective for the state.
Office you are running for:State Representative, Ohio District 16.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes. Access to quality, affordable child care is directly tied to workforce participation, and I hear this from families and employers across House District 16. When parents can't find or afford reliable care, they're forced out of the workforce or into reduced hours — that's a loss for families trying to build financial security and for local employers trying to fill open positions. As a mother and grandmother, I've seen firsthand how much of a difference reliable child care makes for a family's ability to work and thrive.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes — I support state action that expands access to child care through the tax code and by reducing barriers for providers, rather than through new broad-based government spending programs. Specifically, I support providing tax incentives and other benefits to Ohio businesses that offer or help employees afford quality child care, and I support creating a state refundable Child Tax Credit that puts resources directly in the hands of parents to use as their family needs — whether that's child care, housing, or other household expenses. I believe these approaches expand access and affordability more effectively and more sustainably than new state spending programs, while also giving families more choice over how support actually gets used.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. Prenatal, maternal, and early childhood health coverage is foundational — healthy births and access to early care set the trajectory for a child's entire life, and the data bears out that this is also fiscally responsible: children represent a disproportionately small share of Medicaid spending relative to their enrollment, precisely because preventive and early care keeps costs down over time. As reforms to Medicaid are considered at both the federal and state level, I support ensuring that pregnant women and young children remain protected.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Affordability is one of the top issues I hear about from families across House District 16. Specifically, I support:Property tax reform that protects homeowners from being taxed out of their homes by rapidly rising valuations — including circuit-breaker protections for lower-income households, expanded homestead exemptions, and a senior tax freeze at age 70, so that rising home values don't outpace a family's ability to pay.A state refundable Child Tax Credit that puts money directly back in parents' hands to use as their family's needs dictate — child care, housing, groceries, or whatever matters most to them.Tax incentives for Ohio businesses that offer or help employees afford child care, recognizing that employers are often best positioned to offer flexible, workplace-based solutions.Reducing unnecessary regulatory and licensing burdens that drive up costs for small businesses, child care providers, and working families alike — every layer of red tape ultimately gets passed on to the household budget.Taken together, these are pro-work, pro-family solutions that lower the cost of living for families.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities center on giving families more resources and fewer barriers. I support protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and young children, creating a state refundable Child Tax Credit so parents can direct support where their family needs it most, and tax incentives for employers who help employees access child care. I also support reducing regulatory and licensing burdens that limit the supply of quality child care providers, and property tax reform that protects young families from being priced out of their homes as they're putting down roots.
Office you are running for:State Representative, House District 18.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?To address the affordability crisis in Ohio, we need to implement pro-work, pro-family solutions that directly tackle the financial burdens residents face. This includes increasing access to affordable child care, which would enable families to expand and thrive. Additionally, we should push for policies that support wage growth and job creation, alongside tax incentives for businesses that prioritize employee compensation. Expanding utility assistance programs and promoting energy-efficient practices can help lower monthly expenses for families. Lastly, investing in local food initiatives can ensure that nutritious food is accessible and affordable for all Ohioans. These measures can significantly alleviate financial stress and enhance overall quality of life.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities for supporting Ohio’s youngest children focus on ensuring they have the resources and opportunities they need for a strong start in life. First, we must expand access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, to ensure every child has a healthy foundation. Investing in increased funding for public schools will enhance classroom resources, allowing educators to provide a better learning environment. Additionally, expanding after-school programs, tutoring, and mentorship will help children develop academically and socially outside regular school hours. Finally, we should support public safety strategies that engage with communities to create safe environments where children can thrive.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 24.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. When Ohio parents in the workforce are struggling to make enough to cover the cost of childcare, it makes sense that families would choose to provide childcare themselves, shrinking the workforce. Lack of access to quality, affordable childcare is absolutely a barrier for working Ohioans, even if they want to enter the workforce. Long term, Ohioans might even put off starting a family because of the expenses, meaning less people entering the workforce at all.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I have been a consistent advocate for the state increasing support for the above mentioned initiatives, including recently, advocating for universal preschool and expansion of publicly funded childcare in the state operating budget.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.It is critical we protect Medicaid coverage for the most vulnerable Ohioans, including pregnant women and children, if we want to improve health outcomes in the state for everyone.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?The Ohio House Caucus under my leadership has proposed a slate of legislative solutions geared toward addressing critical affordability issues. Addressing these financial strains is pro-family and supports economic participation. Some examples of these policies are House Bills 598, which would allow local governments to create residential stability zones to help protect communities from displacement and rising housing costs, or the Childcare Tax Credit Act, which creates a refundable state tax credit to help offset childcare costs for working families. As mentioned previously, I am also a supporter of expanding publicly funded childcare and universal pre-k.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My top two policy priorities for supporting Ohio's youngest children are lowering the cost of quality childcare for working families and improving infant and maternal health outcomes by expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives, District 28.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Absolutely. As a clinical social worker, I know that when parents are forced to choose between paying for childcare or leaving the workforce entirely, it guts family stability and stalls our economy. Families aren't leaving the workforce by choice; they are being pushed out by the high prices of childcare and basic needs.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. To provide direct, immediate relief, I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Bill 804, the Childcare Tax Credit Act. This bill creates a refundable state tax credit providing working families with up to $2,000 for one child or $4,000 for two or more children under the age of five. We are fighting to treat childcare like the essential public infrastructure it is, keeping parents in the workforce and allowing Ohio's working class to thrive. I have worked diligently on the Children and Human Services Committee to support and increase Publicly Funded Childcare funding and to stop attacks on childcare centers. If we want to have a competitive economy and a healthy Ohio, the state MUST invest more into PFCC, increase eligibility for PFCC, support subsidized child care for child care workers, and be progressive with creating and supporting broad-based child care policies and programs for all Ohioans in the workforce.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Because I so deeply support increasing access to public, quality, and equitable healthcare for pregnant mothers, children, and all Ohioans, I introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Medicaid Savings Act (HB 780) to eliminate costly insurance middlemen and redirect hundreds of millions directly back into patient care and regular provider reimbursement increases. By focusing on data-driven, commonsense solutions that protect patient-provider relationships and lower overhead, we can make healthcare access a stable reality for every Ohio family, regardless of age, zip code, or situation.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?As part of the "An Ohio You Can Afford" legislative package, my primary focus is delivering direct, structural cost-of-living relief to families across their highest annual expenses, including housing, childcare, energy, and healthcare. To address Ohio’s housing supply shortage and high prices, I introduced HB 857, The Housing Recovery Act, to fix technical problems with the $100 million Revolving Rural Residential Loan program, and repurpose it into a revolving housing loan program for communities all over Ohio. The way the program was set up makes it inaccessible to Ohio communities, so the money is sitting in OHFA, without a single dollar going towards new housing. This loan program, if set up correctly, will spur the construction of entry-level single-family homes, duplexes, and small multi-family units across the state– supporting a critical housing supply for families which will ultimately bring down demand and housing prices. To ease childcare and family expenses, I support establishing a refundable $2,000-per-child tax credit for children under age 5 and expanding publicly funded childcare options and eligibility. Additionally, to lower monthly household bills, I champion freezing emergency utility rate hikes, encouraging fair and transparent energy and utility pricing, and strategic policy to alleviate the property tax burden on Ohioans. Each of these things, plus the other policies I have highlighted throughout this survey, leaves people with more time and money to better support our youngest Ohioans.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?The focus of my social work career was on children and families, with my start in early childhood mental health. There is simply no better and more effective way to invest in a healthy Ohio than by investing in our infants and toddlers while they are developing their brains and behaviors. The role of adults for our littlest Ohioans is to create healthy, safe environments in which those babies can grow, so parents and caregivers must also be part and parcel of the investment for our babies. Supporting Ohio’s infants, toddlers, and young children requires a comprehensive approach that stabilizes family finances, expands high-quality early education for both parents and children, and protects children's health and safety. Again, this includes direct, tax-based relief for families with children; expanding public childcare and preschool options while fully and fairly funding our public elementary and high schools; and protecting maternal, infant, and pediatric health by funding early childhood healthcare and intervention services as part of our healthcare spending.
Office you are running for:State Representative HD29.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Absolutely. Parents cannot take a job, keep a job, or advance in their careers if they do not have a safe and dependable place for their children during the workday. We talk constantly about workforce shortages in Ohio, but we too often ignore one of the biggest barriers keeping parents from participating in that workforce. Child care should be treated as part of the economic infrastructure that makes employment possible.We also have to recognize that this is a workforce issue on both sides. Child care providers and early educators deserve wages that allow them to build careers in this field without making care even more unaffordable for families. State investment can help us support those workers, increase the number of available slots, and bring down costs for parents.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Ohio should be making it easier for families to work and raise children here. That means using state resources to bring down out-of-pocket costs, expand the number of providers, strengthen Head Start and preschool opportunities, and make sure child care workers are paid fairly enough to remain in the profession.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. Prenatal care, safe delivery, postpartum care, well-child visits, vaccinations, screenings, and early treatment can shape the entire course of a child's life. Cutting access during pregnancy or early childhood may save money on a spreadsheet in the short term, but it creates larger health and economic costs later.Children should not lose access to a doctor because their family is struggling financially. I would protect this coverage and work to make enrollment and continued eligibility as straightforward as possible for families.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Affordability is not just a buzzword. It is the foundation of a strong Ohio. It is unacceptable that too many people are working hard and still struggling to get by. The cost of housing, groceries, child care, health care, and other necessities continues to rise while wages lag behind, pushing families to the brink and driving young people out of our state. I support restoring the conversation around true living wages so that a fair day’s work earns a fair day’s wage. I support expanding housing affordable to families at 30% of Area Median Income by cutting unnecessary barriers to development and requiring real affordability when public incentives are used. I support capping the cost of essential medications while we continue working toward universal health care. And I support moving Ohio toward universal access to affordable, high-quality child care, because parents should not have to choose between going to work and being able to afford a safe place for their children.Fully funding public education must also be part of any serious affordability agenda. Nearly 30 years after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled our school funding system unconstitutional, the state still places far too much of the burden on local communities through property taxes and repeated school levies. When the state finally meets its responsibility to properly fund public schools, we can support students, teachers, and school staff while delivering meaningful property-tax relief to Ohio families. To me, being pro-family means making it possible to raise a family here, and being pro-work means making sure working hard is actually enough to build a good life.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Besides funding public education at the state level, I also find it unacceptable that our state ranks dead last in funding child services like foster care. How will I fix it? The state budget as a document is 136% larger than the federal budget at over 3,000 pages. If we can find cuts for big energy companies and fund sports stadiums, I am sure we can find foster care funding somewhere in a 3,000 page budget.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 29.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I voted yes for tax cuts, including the sales tax holiday. We invest in quality childcare that focuses on early childhood development. I will continue to be a strong voice for our children and families.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I sponsored HB141, PPEC, creating prescribed pediatric extended care centers. PPEC’s will give families the peace of mind their child with complex medical needs is in capable hands while learning, receiving therapy, etc.
Office you are running for:Ohio HD 31.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Affordable, quality childcare can be the difference-maker in the quality of life for Ohio families. For many parents, access to reliable childcare determines whether they can return to work, earn an income, pursue a career, and provide a better quality of life for their families.But this is about more than just parents being able to work. Investing in childcare means investing in Ohio’s children and ensuring they have the support, stability, and early education they need to succeed.For Ohio's families and workforce to thrive, affordable childcare is an essential part of our workforce and an investment in our state's future.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.Absolutely -- especially here in District 31.We are seeing and feeling the squeeze of the state legislature’s actions on our communities and schools. School districts across our district, including Barberton, Norton, and Cuyahoga Falls, have been forced to close and consolidate elementary schools and, in some cases, eliminate pre-K programming.If we as a state say we want to prepare our children to reach their fullest potential, we need to put action behind those words. Every Ohio child deserves access to safe, affordable, quality childcare and preschool that gives them the foundation they need to succeed.At the same time, investing in childcare and preschool is an investment in working families. Affordable childcare allows parents to work, pursue their careers, and provide a better quality of life for their families. It strengthens our communities, supports our local economy, and helps build a better Ohio.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Without any doubt, yes.This issue is deeply personal to me. Last April, I lost my wife, Shelby, to colorectal cancer. When she was first diagnosed, we struggled to make ends meet while confronting the enormous costs of her treatment. When she applied for Medicaid, she was initially denied. We had to fight with the state, and eventually, with the help of our representative, we were able to get her the coverage she needed. That coverage allowed us to focus on her healthcare and her treatment rather than constantly worrying about runaway medical costs.Access to affordable healthcare is under attack right here in Ohio. Medicaid provides healthcare to roughly 3 million Ohioans, including hundreds of thousands of children. Here in our community, over half of Akron Children’s Hospital serves patients that rely on Medicaid, and all of their patients are children! Cutting or restricting that coverage would have serious consequences for children, families, hospitals, and communities across our state.It is simply untenable to consider reductions in Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children. I will fight to protect Medicaid coverage and work to reduce the administrative barriers that prevent eligible Ohioans from receiving the care they need.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I know the pressures of the runaway train that is the cost of everyday living. For too many Ohio families, the cost of housing, groceries, utilities, gas, childcare, and property taxes is making it harder to get ahead.As a state, we need to shift our priorities and focus on the people we represent. That means holding utility companies and the PUCO accountable for excessive rate increases and working to keep utility costs affordable. It means finding ways to lower the cost of groceries and gas, investing in affordable childcare, and making sure working families can afford to live in the communities they call home.We also need to address property taxes, which are increasingly forcing people, especially seniors and longtime homeowners, out of their homes. That starts with the state fully funding public education and restoring and fully funding local government and municipal funds so that communities are not forced to rely so heavily on property taxes to provide essential services.I am proud to have the support of many of Ohio's hardest working unions representing Ohio's hardest working families, including the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Education Association, Teamsters, and the Tri-County Building and Construction Trades Council. I will work tirelessly to ensure that Ohio raises the quality of life for their members, families, and all Ohioans.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities for Ohio’s youngest children start with making sure every child has the foundation they need to succeed.That means fully funding our public schools at the state level so that every community has the resources necessary to provide a quality education. It means expanding access to safe, affordable, quality childcare and preschool so that children can learn and grow while parents have the ability to work and provide for their families.It also means making sure no child has to learn while hungry. I support a universal school lunch program for Ohio students so that every child has access to a nutritious meal at school, regardless of their family’s income.
Office you are running for:State Representative - HD31.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Quality, affordable child care is an important workforce issue because it helps parents return to work and strengthens Ohio's economy. I support expanding child care options through regulatory reform, employer partnerships, and policies that give families more choice while maintaining high safety and quality standards.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Investment in high quality preschool and childcare provides a huge return on investment. Children’s brains are mostly developed by the time they enter kindergarten. State investment in childcare and preschool will be returned in higher performing students and down the road stronger participants in Ohio’s economy.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Easing the regulatory burden on new housing development to increase supply and lower the cost of housing. Speeding up approval of new energy generation projects to increase reliability and decrease cost of utilities. Increasing career-technical education so that more students graduate career ready. Eliminating benefits cliffs in programs like SNAP and Medicaid to help families escape generational poverty. Create partnerships between the government, businesses, and childcare providers to provide more job opportunities w/ childcare to working parents.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Strengthen school funding by increasing the state's investment in public education while encouraging districts to spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently through shared services and administrative partnerships.Reduce bureaucracy in education by eliminating unnecessary administrative burdens and ensuring that state and federal governments fully fund the mandates they impose on local schools.Expand career and technical education to prepare students for high-demand careers in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, skilled trades, and other essential industries.Prepare students for the workforce by expanding work-based learning opportunities, requiring every student to graduate with a resume, and teaching the durable skills needed for lifelong success.Create better learning environments by limiting cell phone distractions in classrooms so students can stay focused on learning.Address the student mental health crisis by increasing access to mental health resources and support services.Invest in early childhood education by expanding Pre-K and early learning programs, giving children the strongest possible foundation for future success.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 35.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. When parents cannot afford childcare, they resort to taking less hours at work to watch their children. It’s imperative that when the state of Ohio invests in working families, they also invest in quality child care. Additionally, child care providers are workers themselves. They should be treated with respect, dignity, and afforded adequate working conditions and livable wages.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Expanding access to affordable and safe child care and preschool is good for working families, employers, and children. The state should work to increase providers and lessen restrictions and red tape where appropriate.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Medicaid access and preventive care leads to strong pregnancies, safe births, and healthy babies. These are all things the state should be prioritizing when it comes to maternal health.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?A great way to help to remove the burden of childcare for working families is for more investment in tri-care childcare programs where the family, the state, and the employer all share the responsibility of paying for childcare. These programs significantly decrease the cost of childcare for the family and allow them to work and contribute to the economy more. The state should further incentivize employers to participate in a program like by offering a tax cut for companies that do.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?To support Ohio’s youngest children, the state needs to fully fund public schools. Because the state isn’t paying their fair share into public schools, the burden of keeping them afloat falls onto the local taxpayer, who is already struggling to make ends meet. If we want to truly invest in the next generation, we need to ensure they have a good, quality education.
Office you are running for:State Representative: District 36.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. As the mother of triplets, my husband and I faced serious difficulty balancing our income and childcare costs.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I support protecting Medicaid coverage for ALL Ohioans, especially pregnant women and children.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support universal preschool, fully funding our public schools, increasing the minimum wage, and paid parental leave. I also support creating a Grandparent Tax Credit for families who choose to live in multigenerational households.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Universal preschool, paid parental leave, and protecting Medicaid coverage are three policies I support that support Ohio's youngest children.
Office you are running for:State Representative, House District 36.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes and I have been fighting for quality, affordable, accessible child care for families for six years and have sponsored numerous bills and co-chaired a study committee.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Through House Bill 7 in the 135th GA and state operating budget and other legislation, I have fought for more funding for these programs to protect our youngest children and Ohio's pregnant moms. I was able to get the doula coverage in the operating budget in 2023 and have advocated for other measures to support Medicaid coverage for young children and moms.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I helped secure the child care choice voucher program in the budget, I have numerous bills to help working families access child care, and bills to help incentivize businesses to provide child care supports and resources. Additionally I fought for funding for Children's Hunger Alliance and food banks and support workforce training issues and have a bill to fix the single family housing tax credits .to help build generational wealth. I am also focused on helping families with resources such as Triple P Parenting Program, home visiting, Help Me Grow, funding for material concrete supports through local networks and others funded through the operating budget.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I am focused on investing now so we do not pay later - in terms of children and families harmed and the costs of treating issues that could have been prevented if we had only done more in the early years to build physical and emotional health and supports for families. I have supported early childhood health care, mental health and behavior management training for child care workers and parents, funding for infant/maternal mortality and healthy child development initiatives and early intervention. I also have focused on quality early learning for children enrolled in the state's Step Up to Quality child care program and preschool programs, foster care and child abuse neglect and prevention through legislation and through my role as the chair of the House Children and Human Services Committee and the Ohio Children's Trust Fund Board.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 44.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes—unequivocally. Child care is foundational labor market infrastructure, no different than roads or broadband. When 56% of Ohio parents say they'd enter the workforce if quality care were available, that's tens of thousands of workers our employers can't hire, and the $5.48 billion Ohio loses every year is the price of treating a workforce issue as a private problem. I come at this from a career in employee benefits and workforce development, advising the apprenticeship funds that build Ohio's skilled workforce, and I've seen the pipeline break down when parents are forced out of jobs and training because there's no affordable place for their kids. At nearly $14,000 a year, infant care rivals in-state tuition and simply cancels out a second paycheck—and with 55% of Ohioans living in a child care desert, that's a supply failure suppressing labor force participation in the communities that can least afford it. I'd treat expanding access to affordable, quality child care as core economic policy: supporting the supply of licensed providers, the wages that keep qualified educators in the field, and assistance that helps families return to the workforce if they so choose.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. These are common-sense investments with broad support across the political spectrum. I'd back a serious increase in state investment in publicly funded childcare and Head Start, because access shouldn't depend on a family's zip code or income. The 83% support for business tax incentives points to something important—this is an area where the state can partner with employers rather than work against them, and I see real appetite for that kind of collaboration. A refundable state Child Tax Credit is one of the most direct ways to put money back in the pockets of working families and let them decide how best to use it. And paid leave for the first six weeks simply closes an obvious gap: if a child can't legally enter licensed care until six weeks of age, then leave for that window isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. These proposals tie directly to my priorities on cost of living and workforce participation, and I'd be a reliable vote and advocate for them in Columbus.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Protecting this coverage is non-negotiable for me. This isn't a program at the margins. It's the backbone of how Ohio kids get a healthy start. The economics here should end the debate: children are 42% of Ohio's Medicaid enrollees but only 14% of the spending. Covering a pregnant woman and her baby is one of the highest-return investments the state makes, paying dividends in the form of healthier kids, stronger academic outcomes, and a more productive workforce down the line. Cutting it to save money is short-sighted. You don't save anything by letting a treatable condition go undiagnosed in a two-year-old, you just move the cost downstream and make it bigger. I'd oppose reforms that strip coverage from pregnant women and young children, and I'd push back hard against changes that put Ohio's most vulnerable families at risk. Keeping these kids covered is both the right thing to do and the fiscally responsible one.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Affordability is the throughline of my whole campaign, and the starting point is that the biggest bills in a young family's life have outrun what work pays. My pro-work, pro-family agenda goes after that gap on several fronts.It starts with property taxes and school funding, because they're the same fight. Ohio leans harder on local property taxes to fund schools than almost any state, and when Columbus refuses to carry its constitutional share, homeowners get squeezed and districts are pushed toward levy after levy, driving up the cost of simply staying in your home. Real reform means the state finally funding its share, which is relief for the same working parents this survey is about.Wages are the other half. I support raising and indexing Ohio's minimum wage, which does double duty: it gets parents to where the math of working actually pencils out, and it lets child care programs pay qualified educators enough to keep them, since you can't run quality care on poverty wages.I'd also expand the supply of attainable housing so young workers can afford to buy where they work instead of putting off starting a family—the choice one in five Ohioans say they're already making over cost. And I'd bring down what families pay for healthcare by going after the opacity that lets insurers and PBMs extract billions in the middle, which hits working parents just above the Medicaid line hardest.On child care specifically, I support the practical tools that have broad support: a refundable state Child Tax Credit families can use where they need it, and tax incentives that bring employers into the solution rather than leaving parents on their own.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?First, fix school funding, because the youngest learners feel a broken formula first. Ohio's overreliance on local property taxes to fund schools means that when Columbus refuses to carry its constitutional share, districts have to protect their state-mandated core – and early-childhood and preschool programming, which isn't part of that mandate, is often first on the chopping block. The state finally funding its fair share isn't just K-12 relief; it's what protects the pre-K programs and early supports that give young children a foundation before they ever reach kindergarten.Second, invest in early intervention and developmental screening. Catching problems in the birth-to-three window when it matters most. Developmental delays, hearing and vision problems, and health conditions are dramatically cheaper and more effective to address at eighteen months than at eight years. Strong home-visiting and early-intervention programs identify those needs early, support parents, and keep small problems from becoming lifelong ones. This is prevention doing exactly what the research says it does: laying the foundation for academic achievement and producing healthier, more productive adults down the line.Third, build the capacity to actually serve kids. A childcare desert is partly a bricks-and-mortar shortage. I'd support expanding licensed facility capacity built by skilled, fairly paid trades, and support the wages that keep qualified early educators in the field, because access means nothing if there's no safe place to enroll a child or no one qualified to staff it.
Office you are running for:State Rep Ohio House District 48.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes. Childcare positions parents to be able to join the workforce and bring their skills to serve our economy.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As a teacher and the father of two teenagers, I am well aware of the demonstrated benefits Head Start and other early childcare programs provide to set children up for success in school and in life. Every tax dollar invested in these young children is money well-spent.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.If Ohio wants to maintain leadership in our workplaces, and have enough workers to meet demand, it will be imperative for our state to continue to prioritize healthcare for pregnant women and their children, especially those with few financial resources. 42% of Ohio’s children are enrolled in Medicaid, but they account for only 14% of Medicaid spending…certainly a cost-effective investment! To shortchange these children is to shortchange Ohio’s future. Early childhood care should be seen as an “essential public service,” worthy of investment with tax dollars, like public K-12 education, university education and the trades.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Every investment of tax dollars into early childhood programs, K-12 public schools, universities and educational incentives to expand the trades are pro-work & pro-family, and I will support them. Both my District and our state should be places of diverse job opportunities that pay living wages, and I will work hard and prioritize those goals for Ohio’s current small business owners. In addition, I believe it would be advantageous for Ohio to increase the income threshold for families who can access subsidized childcare, while maintaining high-quality standards for childcare centers. Use of classrooms in underutilized public schools, in which the state and local voters have already invested, should be considered to expand daycare centers, providing convenient neighborhood services. Tax incentives for larger employers whose staff are young parents—like shopping centers, universities, and hospitals—should be seriously considered. In the case of universities, the childcare centers could be learning labs for future early childhood educators.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities to help Ohio’s youngest children will initially focus on assuring living wages (or increasing wages) for all Ohio workers, so basic needs can be met during this time of high inflation. Because inflation has increased tax revenues coming into state coffers, Ohio must assure full-funding for Ohio’s public schools that 90% of our students attend. Ohio will also be in a position to increase incentives for the expansion of early childhood subsidies, be it through parent subsidies or tax incentives for employers, which I will support.
Office you are running for:OH-49th house seat.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes. I consider quality child care a critical workforce issue. Through my work in both early childhood education and workforce development, I have seen firsthand how access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care directly affects whether parents can enter the workforce, remain employed, and advance in their careers. If we want a strong workforce and a strong economy, we have to make sure working families have access to the child care they need.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I believe Ohio should take stronger action to expand access to affordable, safe, high-quality child care and preschool. My experience working in early childhood education and workforce development has shown me that these issues are deeply connected. Families need dependable care so parents can work, children can thrive, and employers can maintain a strong workforce. Ohio should invest in solutions that increase access, support providers, and reduce the financial burden on working families.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes! We need to make sure women and children are able to receive proper care.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Pro-work, pro-family solutions should make it easier for families to afford everyday necessities while also helping parents stay in the workforce. Priorities can include expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care, strengthening early childhood education, supporting paid family leave, improving access to maternal and pediatric health care, and providing tax relief for families with children.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?For Ohio’s youngest children, policy priorities should include making child care more affordable and available, supporting child care providers and early educators, expanding access to preschool and Head Start, protecting health coverage for pregnant women and young children, and investing in early intervention and developmental services. These investments can help children get a strong start while giving parents greater stability and flexibility to work and provide for their families.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives, District 51.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes.As a mother, I lived through this crisis firsthand. I was completely locked out of the workforce until my oldest daughter turned 18 because local child care providers were unable to accommodate my daughter's disabilities. My story is not unique; it is the reality for thousands of Ohio families. When parents cannot access safe, inclusive, affordable child care, Ohio businesses lose talent, and our economy suffers. But most importantly, families suffer and are unable to earn to their potential. Investing in accessible child care is a necessity for families and Ohio.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.Government assistance and Head Start were life-changing for my family. When I went to college, utilizing these public programs for my youngest daughter was the only reason I was able to pursue a degree and build a better future. Publicly funded child care and preschool programs are essential rungs on the ladder for economic mobility. I strongly support expanding these initiatives so more working parents can gain the education, skills, and stable employment they need to thrive.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I know firsthand that Medicaid is a literal lifesaver. As a pregnant mother, I relied on Medicaid to cover myself and my children. It was an absolute lifeline for my family, especially for my daughter, who was born with disabilities. Without it, we would have faced devastating medical and financial crises. Protecting Medicaid for pregnant women and children is a moral and economic necessity. In the Ohio House, I will fiercely protect this coverage.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?As someone who has relied on child care assistance, Head Start and Medicaid, I know firsthand that pro family solutions are pro work solutions. We cannot build a strong economy when 25% of Ohioans struggle to feed their families and 33% struggle with housing costs.I support expanding state investments in child care infrastructure and early childhood education so parents aren't forced out of the workforce. Additionally, we must implement an Ohio Child Tax to help families combat inflation on everyday essentials like groceries and utilities. When we lower the financial barriers to working and raising a family, all of Ohio wins.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Supporting Ohio's youngest children requires a comprehensive approach that would prioritize childhood health, inclusive education, and targeted financial relief for working families. In the Ohio House, my focus will be expanding investments in early childhood education and child care infrastructure, ensuring that programs like Head Start have the resources necessary to safely accommodate children with special needs. Additionally, we must protect Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and infants to ensure access to critical prenatal care and early interventions, while simultaneously establishing a state-level refundable Child Tax Credit to offset the rising costs of raising toddlers. By strengthening these foundational lifelines, we can guarantee a healthy start for our children and long-term economic stability for Ohio families.
Office you are running for:State Representative, 51st district.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes, quality child care is absolutely a workforce issue. When parents cannot find reliable, affordable care, they may be unable to enter the workforce, remain employed, work the hours their jobs require, or be fully present and productive at work if they are not confident their children are receiving safe, quality care. Expanding access strengthens families, supports employers, and helps grow Ohio’s economy.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.Yes. I support thoughtful state action to expand access to affordable, safe, quality child care and preschool. Any approach should address the needs of working families, strengthen the child care workforce, support a variety of care options, and ensure that public investments are responsible, effective, and focused on quality and safety.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. I support protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and young children. Access to prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and early childhood care supports healthier mothers and babies, allows concerns to be identified and treated sooner, and helps give children a strong start in life.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support pro-work, pro-family solutions that make child care more affordable and increase the number of safe, quality child care options available to families. This includes Child Care Cred, child care capacity grants, employer incentives, and targeted tax relief for working families. I also strongly support efforts to recruit, license, and mentor home-based child care providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities where a traditional child care center may not be available or sustainable. Helping qualified in-home providers become licensed and participate in publicly funded child care can give parents more trusted options while allowing them to enter and remain in the workforce.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities include advancing House Bill 742, legislation I introduced to strengthen behavioral health screening during pregnancy and the postpartum period, protecting and strengthening Ohio’s Help Me Grow Home Visiting and Early Intervention programs, and ensuring families can access these critical services regardless of where they live.I also support building upon the work already underway to help working families access safe, quality child care. This includes ensuring the successful implementation of Child Care Cred and the Child Care Provider Recruitment and Mentorship Grant Program, evaluating opportunities for increased investment based on participation and outcomes, and continuing efforts to recruit, license, and mentor home-based providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.I support House Bill 41 and its grants to expand child care capacity. If it does not make it across the finish line during the 136th General Assembly, I would welcome the opportunity to reintroduce and champion this legislation in the next General Assembly.
Office you are running for:State Representative, 52nd district.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes. Quality, affordable child care is a critical workforce issue. When parents cannot find reliable care or the cost of care makes working financially unrealistic, they may be forced to reduce their hours or leave the workforce entirely. Expanding access to affordable, quality child care can help more Ohioans enter and remain in the workforce, support employers struggling to fill positions, and strengthen local economies.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.I support greater state action to expand access to affordable, safe, high-quality child care and preschool. Ohio families should not have to choose between going to work and being able to afford quality care for their children. I support investments that expand access for working families, strengthen and grow our child care workforce, and help ensure providers can offer safe, reliable care while paying their employees a fair wage. These investments support children and families while also strengthening Ohio’s workforce and economy.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I strongly support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children. Access to prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and pediatric care helps give children a healthy start while preventing more serious and costly health problems later. Ohio should be working to ensure eligible families can access consistent care, not creating additional barriers that cause pregnant women or children to lose coverage.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Ohio families need an economy where working hard is enough to build a stable life. I support lowering property taxes, reducing utility and energy costs, expanding access to affordable child care, strengthening the Child Tax Credit, and providing paid family and medical leave. I also support raising wages, protecting collective bargaining, fully funding our public schools, expanding access to affordable health care, and holding corporations and utilities accountable when their practices drive up costs. These are pro-work, pro-family policies that help Ohioans keep more of what they earn while making it easier to raise a family and participate in the workforce.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities include expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care and preschool, protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and young children, and supporting paid family and medical leave so parents can care for a new child without sacrificing their financial security. I also support strengthening the Child Tax Credit, investing in maternal and infant health, expanding early childhood mental health and developmental services, and ensuring child care workers are paid fairly. Investing in children during their earliest years strengthens families, improves long-term outcomes, and builds a stronger Ohio.
Office you are running for:State Rep, District 56.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. I spoke at length in support of this topic at a Groundwork Ohio panel this past Spring.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I am currently drafting a bill on providing better child care options.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I am working on a bill to provide paid parental leave, especially in locations where child care availability is limited. I believe we should incentivize businesses to provide leave. I co-sponsored Rep. Click's bill on helping caregivers obtain childcare. I have been working on bi-partisan legislation, passed in this budget, to remove barriers to building starter homes. Starter homes have functionally been zoned out, and young families can't afford them.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I am working on a bill to provide paid parental leave, especially in locations where child care availability is limited. I believe we should incentivize businesses to provide leave. I co-sponsored Rep. Click's bill on helping caregivers obtain childcare.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 60.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. I support increased state action to make safe, quality child care and preschool more accessible and affordable while ensuring child care professionals are fairly compensated. This is an investment in both Ohio’s families and our workforce.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. I support increased state action to make safe, quality child care and preschool more accessible and affordable while ensuring child care professionals are fairly compensated. This is an investment in both Ohio’s families and our workforce.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Yes. I support pro-work, pro-family policies that lower the cost of essentials like child care, housing, food, and utilities while ensuring working families can earn a livable wage. These investments strengthen our workforce, support families, and ultimately benefit Ohio’s economy as a whole.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities are centered on making sure Ohio’s youngest children have the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and supported. That means strengthening families, improving access to quality early childhood resources, and reducing the financial barriers that make it harder for parents to provide stability and opportunity for their children.
Office you are running for:State Representative 60th district.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Question is too broad and would need more research. Program would require significant guardrails and need to include most susceptible populations.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Housing stock infusion, less stringent permitting regulations; more robust financial literacy educational requirements in school.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?More pregnancy resources and support for soon to be mothers; proper bonding time and resources postpartum.
Office you are running for:66th House District.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. For many, especially parents with multiple children, after childcare it costs more to work than to stay at home. This has significant impacts on long-term earnings and limits the available workforce. It also impacts the child if they are in an environment without proper care or nutrition.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. I believe this is an effective place to make investments in children as the research demonstrates that earlier intervention can have an outsized impact for the entirety of a child's life.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Any changes to Medicaid should first focus on eliminating waste. Funding for children, who do not have the ability to control their circumstances, should not be cut when there are other opportunities to reduce costs. Additionally, children do not have the ability to impact the level of medical services they receive. This is an appropriate area for the state to be involved.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?We need to do a better job of developing our workforce and we need to reduce costs. To do so, we need to give schools the ability to experiment with creating new programs to meet the demands of employers. One example is the Medina County Career Center, which is offering programs to recent graduates where they can earn a scholarship to take classes to get certified in fields that are in-demand. The General Assembly can do its part by appropriately funding education. General affordability is the issue that most voters are talking about. To begin to reduce costs we need to make local government more efficient so property taxes can be reduced without cutting services. I think this can be done by encouraging local governments and school districts to share administrative functions where feasible. We also need to focus on updating Ohio's infrastructure so that utility costs can be reduced. We also need to incentivize local governments to allow more housing to be built by encouraging pro-growth zoning policies. Finally, as discussed above, childcare is simply too expensive and difficult to secure. This forces many parents that want to work out of the workforce and has life-long impacts on earnings. We need to develop policies that encourage the development of more options for childcare.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities are focused on affordability broadly and making Ohio a better place to work, play, and raise a family. To do this, we need a trained workforce with a cost of living that is competitive with our peers. Having a trained workforce starts with making sure that children are healthy, safe, and placed in environments where they can learn and grow. I am open to any policy that can deliver these results in a cost effective manner. I am keenly aware of the fact that small investments made early in child's life can be life changing and reduce the likelihood of the necessity of state intervention down the road. Thus, many budgetary outlays focused on children reduce future outlays. Because children do not have the ability to effect their environments in many instances, I think this is an area where the state can be more involved in delivering solutions and assistance.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 67.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Quality, affordable child care is a workforce issue. When parents can’t find child care they can afford and trust, it can prevent them from entering the workforce, force them to reduce their hours, or push them out of work altogether. Expanding access to affordable, quality child care can give more parents the ability to work, while helping employers attract and retain the workers they need.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. I support greater state action to expand access to affordable, safe, high-quality child care and preschool. Families shouldn’t have to choose between going to work and being able to afford safe care for their children. Investing in child care also strengthens our workforce by giving more parents the opportunity to work while ensuring children have a safe, supportive place to learn and grow.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. I support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children. Access to essential health care during pregnancy and early childhood should remain a priority.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support pro-work, pro-family policies that make it easier for Ohioans to build stable lives: affordable and accessible child care, strong public schools, good-paying jobs, paid family leave, affordable health care, and support for working parents. When families have the resources they need to work, raise their children, and get ahead, our businesses, communities, and economy are stronger.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My policy priorities for Ohio’s youngest children begin with a strong public education system. Every child, regardless of their ZIP code or their family’s income, deserves access to a high quality public education. That means properly funding our public schools, supporting and retaining qualified teachers and staff, expanding early childhood and preschool opportunities, and ensuring students have access to the resources and individualized support they need. I also support affordable, safe child care, access to health care and nutritious food, and programs that help children enter school ready to learn. Investing in children from their earliest years through graduation isn’t just an education policy it’s an investment in Ohio’s families, workforce, communities, and future.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 68.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Childcare is most definitely a workforce issue, not only for employers but employees as well. The lack of affordable, licensed childcare is a major concern for families trying to enter the workforce. Employers need those workers to operate and grow their businesses. Adding to the issue is a lack of availability for shift workers in healthcare, manufacturing, and retail work whose positions involve overnights, weekends, holidays. In my district, Licking County there are children 2,300 authorized to receive publicly funded childcare, but 55% of facilities participate. (61 out of 110 providers).Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Early childhood education is one of the best long-term investments we can make in children, families and our state’s economy. I support the following legislation HB827 (expand income eligibility for publicly funded childcare (PFCC), HB782 (At-Home Infant Care Program Act), HB800 (Preschool for All) and HB-804 (Childcare Tax Credit Act). We need solutions for stable, braided funding that comes from intertwined sources making it hard to stop funding grants, scholarships, pilot programs etc. We also need to restructure legislative committees to represent end users within the community.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.
Healthy children begin with healthy pregnancies and access to quality prenatal and pediatric care. I support protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, infants, and young children so families can receive preventive care, early intervention services, and necessary medical treatment. Investing in children’s health improves educational outcomes, reduces long-term healthcare costs, and helps families build a stronger future.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support expanding access to affordable childcare and programs such as Headstart. We must encourage paid family leave, strengthen Medicaid and maternal health services. Public education and workforce development initiatives that connect Ohioans with good-paying jobs are very important issues. I also support policies that reduce unnecessary financial burdens on working families, encourage employer partnerships that improve childcare access, and promote economic growth that benefits workers and small businesses together.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I believe every Ohio child deserves the opportunity to enter school healthy, prepared to learn, and supported by policies that help families succeed. We need to change the narrative: Increased funding for parents & childcare providers is an investment in Ohio’s future. We need stable, braided funding for childcare that comes from intertwined sources. Public/private partnerships of integrated funding. YMCA of Licking County is one example of private entity (YMCA) working with Licking Heights school district to provide seamless care from infants to school age children. Voter approved local investment levies. We need to think outside the box and investigate investing in intergenerational sites for childcare where senior citizens are in the same location. This has shown positive results for both generations. For workforce development we can use business tax credits: On the federal level businesses can deduct expenses for on-site childcare through the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit (45F) –All U.S. employers qualify for the expanded Federal Section 45F Tax Credit (up to $500,000/yr; $600,000 for small businesses). Let’s apply this to Ohio. We need to restructure legislative committees to represent end users within the community.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 69.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. I saved money when I left my job as a victim advocate for the Columbus City Attorney’s Office after my 2nd son was born. I made great money, but after CHILDCARE, gas, parking, clothing etc. it was cheaper for me to stay home.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. If we have billions of dollars to build a football stadium for a billionaire then we can help WORKING FAMILIES. It’s about priorities & our state has lost its way.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Healthcare should be provided by our taxes, like public schools, roads, ect. I would EXPAND coverage to all Ohioans and 90% won’t pay more in taxes. Again, priorities.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?0-2 free daycare, universal pre-K, fully fund public schools constitutionally with breakfast & lunch at no cost to parents, a minimum of 6 months paid leave for birth/adoption paid for by the state & not the company, $20 minimum wage (assistance for small businesses by state). Expand our social services.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I’m an early childhood educator so I’m watching poor policies affect children. Feeding & educating children are the foundation of my campaign & my promise. I adopted 2 former students so when I say this is my passion, I’m not talking in hyperbole.
Office you are running for:State Representative District 70.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. A lack of accessibility to childcare keeps our workforce numbers low - it's an obvious solution that other modern countries addressed years ago.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Investment in childcare is essential for a modern, thriving society. We should have universal coverage for all.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Absolutely! That is the humane thing to do.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Universal healthcare, universal childcare, affordable housing via subsidies. I will support any measure that reduces income inequality in the workforce.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Universal healthcare is my main focus, and that would benefit the entire family to have access to care at no cost to them. Young children would benefit greatly from being treated from cradle to grave. Fully funding public schools is also another priority for me. As mentioned earlier, universal childcare is something I support.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 72.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Increase in PFCC.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Anything the chamber supports, public private partnership.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 81Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Affordable, quality childcare in my opinion is a major step towards solving both employment problems for employers (from perspective as an employer) and raising family living standards.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. If there was a way to streamline regulations without jeopardizing quality and safety, this could go a long way to increasing availability. I looked at an in-house day care for my company and there were so many regulations that it made it prohibitive.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I support a strong Medicaid for several reasons besides health. As a former board member of our local hospital, I understand the financial importance of the Medicaid program to the financial survival of local, rural hospitals.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?First and foremost, strong support for collective bargaining. If employees of large employers such as Walmart were paid fairly, that would be a major step towards affordability of childcare.Somehow, encouraging the development of facilities that will handle very young children and sick children. At my company young mothers lost a lot of work time because their daycare would request an immediate pickup because their child had a fever. Some mothers had troubles finding reliable day care for non-potty trained children.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I mostly answered this question just above. However, I would like to develop policies that encourage employers to develop on-site day-care centers. Every mother I've even known would love to be as close to her child as possible, if nothing more than to each lunch or have afternoon snacks with their child.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives, 82nd District.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Absolutely. Childcare is both a family issue and a workforce issue. Parents cannot fully participate in the workforce if they cannot find safe, reliable, and affordable childcare. Ohio should treat childcare as part of the infrastructure that allows our economy to function. Supporting working families also means supporting childcare providers with sustainable funding and workforce development.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes. Ohio should expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare and preschool, particularly for working families who are struggling with the rising cost of living. I support expanding eligibility for childcare assistance, supporting childcare providers, and ensuring that families have access to safe and reliable care. Parents should not have to choose between working and being able to afford childcare.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Yes. Every Ohio child deserves access to quality healthcare, and pregnant women and young children should not lose access to necessary care because of changes to Medicaid. Investing in healthcare early helps children thrive and can prevent more costly health problems later. Protecting Medicaid coverage is also an important investment in Ohio families and communities.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support policies that make it easier for Ohioans to work, raise a family, and build a future here. My priorities include expanding affordable childcare, supporting paid family and medical leave, protecting access to healthcare, expanding workforce training and apprenticeships, making housing more affordable, and investing in good-paying Ohio jobs. Families should not have to choose between working and being able to afford the basic necessities of life.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities include affordable and accessible childcare, quality preschool, protecting Medicaid coverage, expanding school-based mental health resources, supporting early childhood education, and helping families afford the basic necessities their children need. I also believe we should invest in parents and communities because giving children a strong start means giving Ohio a stronger future.
Office you are running for:Ohio HD84.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Oppose.I voted to support HB 96’s childcare provisions aim to stabilize the workforce, expand access for more families, and improve quality by codifying programs and strengthening provider support. Prudence however requires an in-depth examination to determine the impact of HB 96 before expanding or amending the programs.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Again, before expanding programs - fraud, waste and abuse must be addressed to ensure that those you truly are in need receive the services they need.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I have supported legislation to strengthen our state's economy and support families by advancing property tax reform, reducing the Commercial Activity Tax so employers can invest more in workers and capital, expanding energy opportunities through HB 15 and behind-the-meter generation, simplifying the income tax with a flat tax, permanently eliminating the sales tax on baby and children's products, and establishing the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative to support stronger families. Together, these reforms help make Ohio more competitive, affordable, and family-friendly.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I have sponsored HB 106 & HB 249 which are intended to strengthen protections that help safeguard children’s safety, privacy, and innocence.
Office you are running for:Ohio House District 87.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Yes. If parents can't find reliable child care, they can't go to work. It’s that simple. When working parents are forced to drop hours or leave jobs because child care is unaffordable or unavailable, the family and local businesses suffer. Investing in quality early care keeps parents on the job which keeps food on the table and keeps our Ohio economy growing.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Those number show that the data supports state government action. And meeting people and hearing them express how they are struggling to make ends meet supports the data. Ohio could solve this issue by working together with employers to share costs to fund these programs.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.This is non-negotiable. If the Ohio legislature ends Medicaid coverage for Ohio's pregnant moms and children, that exacerbates the economic problems. I intend to solve problems in the legislature, not create them.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?My candidacy is about helping working families. Safe and affordable housing is a priority of my campaign. The housing issue affect everyone but my campaign is focused on helping working families with young children, elderly, and other vulnerable people in the population. Therefore, I support lowering the cost of housing, protecting access to affordable food, expanding affordable child care, and supporting paid family and medical leave. As a legislator, I will work with all the partners the state has available to give working people the hand up they deserve.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?A couple of my policies support young children indirectly. One is my Ohio Vulnerable Tenant Housing Advocate Act. It protects low income families from unsafe housing and creates a small emergency relocation fund. Kids need a safe place to live. I also support current bills in the Ohio legislature that would lower prescription drug costs. The cost of required daily medications for adults and/or children can quickly add up to thousands of dollars even with health insurance. Lower medication and healthcare costs puts money back in the family bank account for housing, food, child care, and other necessities.
Office you are running for:State Representative 87th District.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?HB7.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Healthcare & learning.
Office you are running for:State Representative - Ohio House District 89.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Quality child care is absolutely a workforce issue. When parents cannot find safe, reliable, and affordable child care, they are forced to make difficult choices about whether they can work, how many hours they can work, or whether they can afford to remain in the workforce at all. That hurts working families, employers, and Ohio’s economy. Child care should be treated as essential workforce infrastructure, not simply as a private family expense.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. I support greater state investment in affordable, safe, and accessible child care and preschool. Ohio should expand access to publicly funded child care, support Head Start, and pursue policies that help employers provide child care assistance to their workers. I also support a refundable state Child Tax Credit and paid family leave for new parents. Families should not have to choose between keeping a job and providing quality care for their children.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.I strongly support protecting Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, infants, and young children. Prenatal care, healthy births, and access to preventive care in a child’s earliest years are investments in the long-term health and success of Ohio families. We should be looking for ways to improve outcomes and control costs through prevention and early intervention—not taking coverage away from children and families who depend on it.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I believe a pro-work, pro-family agenda has to start with making it possible for working Ohioans to build a stable life in the communities they call home. Families are being squeezed by the cost of housing, child care, groceries, utilities, health care, and other necessities. We cannot tell people to work harder while ignoring the rising cost of simply getting by.I support expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care and preschool, along with policies that help parents remain in the workforce. I also support a refundable state Child Tax Credit and paid family leave so families have greater financial security when they welcome a child.Affordable housing is another major part of my approach. A family cannot be stable if they are constantly worried about whether they can afford their rent or mortgage. I support practical affordable housing solutions that increase the supply of safe, quality housing and help working families remain in the communities they call home.I also want to focus on the broader economic conditions facing families. That means supporting good-paying jobs, investing in infrastructure, strengthening our public schools, and making sure economic development actually benefits the communities where it takes place. Government should be helping create the conditions for people to build a life, not making it harder for working families to stay afloat.Ultimately, being pro-work and pro-family means recognizing that these issues are connected. A parent who cannot find affordable child care, cannot afford housing, or cannot keep up with the cost of living faces real barriers to remaining in the workforce. We should address those barriers directly and build an Ohio where working, raising a family, and putting down roots are actually attainable.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?My priorities for Ohio’s youngest children center on giving them the strongest possible foundation from the very beginning. That means investing in early childhood development, strong public schools, healthy communities, and the resources children need to succeed regardless of where they are born.I believe we need to strengthen Ohio’s public education system from the earliest years onward. Children should enter kindergarten ready to learn, and they should have access to quality schools, qualified educators, strong literacy programs, and the resources they need throughout their education. I also believe we should be cautious about policies that divert public education dollars away from the public schools that serve our communities.Children’s health is equally important. I support protecting access to health care for pregnant women, infants, and young children, with an emphasis on preventive care and early intervention. Making sure children receive appropriate care early can prevent more serious problems later and gives them a better chance to grow and thrive.I also want to protect the communities where Ohio children grow up. Clean air and clean water are fundamental to a child’s health, and protecting Lake Erie and our other natural resources should be a priority. We should not pursue economic development at the expense of the health and long-term quality of life of our children.Finally, I believe children deserve communities that give them opportunities beyond the classroom. That means investing in safe infrastructure, strong neighborhoods, libraries, parks, recreation, and other community resources that help children learn, grow, and participate in their communities.Ultimately, supporting Ohio’s youngest children means looking beyond a single program or policy. It means creating an environment where children are healthy, well-educated, safe, and given every opportunity to reach their potential. That is the kind of long-term investment I want to bring to the Statehouse.
Office you are running for:State Representative, District 89.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?I support property tax reform to lower the tax burden on working families. I also support other tax policies that benefit families with children.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?I will work to provide great educational outcomes for Ohio students of all ages. Early childhood education is so important to ensure that children stay on track through their educational journey.I also care about the issue of infant mortality. Finding ways to provide healthcare to pregnant mothers and to children in the days, weeks, and months after they are born is critical.
Office you are running for:Ohio House of Representatives District 94.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Those already proposed by Democrats in the Ohio legislature, who are unable to move those proposals forward due to the super majority in the legislature. And other solutions that have successfully been passed in other states.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Affordable child care and affordable healthcare. Workable maternity and family leave policies. Thorough and efficient funding of public schools as required that the Ohio Constitution. Reversal of legislation passed by the Republican supermajority that exacerbates income inequality, including the flat Ohio income tax. Reversal of legislation passed by the Republican supermajority takes away worker rights. Oh, I could go on...
Office you are running for:State Representative 96th District.Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes.Yes! Can you imagine how much better off Ohio would be if we had great childcare? So many parents would enter the workforce. It's a win-win situation that we need to remedy.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support.Absolutely! Once Trump announced that the Federal government did not have the money to help with childcare or Medicaid my brain immediately went into overdrive trying to think of legislation that I could suggest once in office. We need to ease the financial strain on families by making the process easier to navigate. The State needs to participate in reimbursing child care providers and help them stay on top of their game.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.This is a must! We cannot strive as a state if we can't take care of our most vulnerable citizens. We are making strides, but there is so much more than we can do.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Tax credits, a reduction in property taxes, easier hurdles to jump when it comes to getting the type of assistance these families need to get by. We need to hire more people to to streamline the process of navigating hard times.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?We always need to keep striving for affordable early care, maternal and infant health, and early intervention services. That is a need that is never going to change. We need to strengthen our families at this stage in their lives...it means everything.
Office you are running for:State Representative (99th District).Do you consider quality child care a workforce issue?Yes. I am a proponent of removing barriers of doing business for childcare providers as well as state subsidation of authorized providers as an tax deductible offset for employers.Do you support more state government action to expand access to affordable, safe child care and preschool?Support. Yes, our state should subsidize authorized childcare as a tax deduction for employers as well as expand our public infrastructure for state-sponsored childcare.As Congress and the General Assembly consider reforms to Medicaid, do you support protecting Medicaid coverage for Ohio’s pregnant women and youngest children?Support.Single-payer health insurance is a paramount necessity for the wellbeing of our residents. We also need to tackle the inflated principal cost of healthcare to reduce the burden on taxpayers when considering Medicaid coverage.What pro-work, pro-family solutions do you support?Subsidized childcare, universal basic income, universal healthcare, reduction in utility rates via infrastructure investment, broadband internet access reclassification as a necessity.Could you share some of your policy priorities that support Ohio’s youngest children?Increased funding for public education and proposing a state-sponsored childcare program.Exploring subsidies for day care and preschool.Incentivizing employers to offer paid-family leave and childcare via state tax deductions.
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