Amy's Tab
Ohioans Are Picking It Up.
Liberal Amy Acton’s big-government proposals would dump an additional $21 BILLION in wasteful spending onto the backs of Ohio families. To pay for it, she’d have to DOUBLE your state income tax.
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Amy's Tab
Medical Debt Bailout
$15,100,000,000
Unclear "forever costs" for taxpayers.
The national average amount of medical debt in 2021 was reported at $18,660, and an estimated 810,000 Ohioans have medical debt. Using these averages, Acton is proposing a $15.1 billion bailout. This isn't just a one-time expense; without addressing why healthcare is expensive in the first place, this bailout will likely increase the cost of healthcare for everyone by removing market incentives and ignoring the underlying causes of rising prices.
The national average amount of medical debt in 2021 was reported at $18,660, and an estimated 810,000 Ohioans have medical debt. Using these averages, Acton is proposing a $15.1 billion bailout. This isn't just a one-time expense; without addressing why healthcare is expensive in the first place, this bailout will likely increase the cost of healthcare for everyone by removing market incentives and ignoring the underlying causes of rising prices.
Childcare Subsidies
$5,600,000,000
Massive annual expansion of bureaucracy.
Acton cites a cost of childcare of $25,000 for two kids, but that’s likely low. CNBC reports that childcare in Ohio ranges from $13,000 to $17,000 per child. Assuming the lower estimate, there are up to 520,000 Ohio households with a child under six years old, so even if each household only has one child, that is $6.76 billion in new spending. Additionally, Acton’s proposal ignores the childcare workforce shortage, which complicates implementation and potentially adds additional costs to her plan. Because Ohio currently spends $1.1 billion on childcare through the Department of Children and Youth, that total is subtracted from $6.76 billion to reach an estimated total cost of $5.6 billion per year in new spending.
Acton cites a cost of childcare of $25,000 for two kids, but that’s likely low. CNBC reports that childcare in Ohio ranges from $13,000 to $17,000 per child. Assuming the lower estimate, there are up to 520,000 Ohio households with a child under six years old, so even if each household only has one child, that is $6.76 billion in new spending. Additionally, Acton’s proposal ignores the childcare workforce shortage, which complicates implementation and potentially adds additional costs to her plan. Because Ohio currently spends $1.1 billion on childcare through the Department of Children and Youth, that total is subtracted from $6.76 billion to reach an estimated total cost of $5.6 billion per year in new spending.
Restoring the Local Government Fund
$597,000,000
Siphoning funds from state priorities.
Acton claims Ohio is "not funding the local funds anymore." The estimate assumes she is referring to the Local Government Fund (LGF), which was reduced from 3.68%, now at a rate of 1.75% (increased in this latest budget). The LGF is due to cost $541.2 million in Fiscal Year 2027 at the new 1.75% rate. If it is "restored" to 3.68%, this would cost an additional $597 million per year.
Acton claims Ohio is "not funding the local funds anymore." The estimate assumes she is referring to the Local Government Fund (LGF), which was reduced from 3.68%, now at a rate of 1.75% (increased in this latest budget). The LGF is due to cost $541.2 million in Fiscal Year 2027 at the new 1.75% rate. If it is "restored" to 3.68%, this would cost an additional $597 million per year.
Total First-Year Blowout
$21,000,000,000+
The state of Ohio brings in roughly $30 billion a year. Amy Acton wants to spend an extra $21 BILLION in Year One if elected governor. While Ohioans will be forced to tighten their belts to survive the fallout of inflation, state government will be ballooning at your expense. That is a 45% hike in state spending — and it's coming out of YOUR paycheck.
Education Shell Game
Amy Acton claims she can fund public schools and provide property tax relief. The math doesn’t work.
As is typical for Acton’s campaign, her education "plan" is a blank check for government waste. Without a clear explanation of costs, Ohioans are being asked to fund a multi-billion-dollar bailout of a broken system.
Delivering meaningful property tax relief while fully funding public education would cost billions of dollars. For every $1 of relief, ~$0.67 would be needed to offset education alone.
Delivering meaningful property tax relief while fully funding public education would cost billions of dollars. For every $1 of relief, ~$0.67 would be needed to offset education alone.
- The Reality: To fund her education plan, Acton would likely drain $1.1 Billion from school choice scholarships—including programs for Autism and Special Needs.
- The Result: 164,000 students lose their scholarships, public schools become more crowded, and your taxes go up anyway.
Ohioans can't afford liberal Amy Acton
Ohio currently brings in roughly $30 billion in total annual revenue. Acton wants to spend $21 billion more.
Since Ohio only collects about $9.8 billion in personal income tax, the math is simple and terrifying:
Since Ohio only collects about $9.8 billion in personal income tax, the math is simple and terrifying:
To pay for this tab, Amy Acton would have to more than double your state income tax.
Taken together, these proposals represent a major expansion in state government and massive increased pressure on Ohio taxpayers.
This is more irresponsible fiscal policy... Acton has made clear that her agenda means higher taxes, bigger government, and greater burdens on working families. Period.
— Jerry Cirino, Ohio Senate Finance Chairman
Apparently, Amy Acton either does not know - or does not care - that the Ohio Constitution requires us to have a balanced budget every year. Ohio taxpayers do not want to be on the hook for her unaffordable spending spree. Her absurd ‘plan’ is the latest example of how unfit for office she truly is.
— Brian Stewart, Ohio House Finance Chairman