(The Center Square) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants to give parents working minimum-wage jobs a tax credit, but no other tax cuts were included in a budget proposal that focused strongly on children.

In the $218 billion, two-year budget, DeWine proposed fully funding public education but trimming money going to districts with declining enrollment. He’s also pushing for increases in child care, children’s physical and mental health, support for law enforcement and water quality.

“Our executive budget is all about investing in Ohio’s greatest asset, our people,” DeWine said. “The budget I am sending to the Legislature today continues to build on the things that make Ohio the Heart of it All: our children and our families, our students and our workforce, and our businesses and our communities. Importantly, this budget is also designed to ensure that Ohio’s strong economic growth continues for years to come.” 

As budget hearings begin Tuesday morning, Democrats pledge to push to lower costs for Ohioans and stop cuts to critical programs.

“As we begin working on Gov. DeWine’s final budget which will help define his legacy, perhaps it’s best to make clear to the public that any budget is not about victories for Democrats or Republicans,” said House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington. “It’s about putting people over politics and securing victories for all the hard-working men and women of Ohio. During these budget discussions, Ohio House Democrats are committed to fighting for policies that lower costs for every single Ohioan. Doing anything less, like more giveaways to the wealthiest Ohioans and cuts to critical funding, will threaten the future of our children, families, and Ohio’s economy.”

DeWine’s new refundable child tax credit would phase out at designated income levels, giving working parents with a full-time minimum wage job a $1,000 credit through age 6 of their child.

He also proposes maintaining assistance for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level to publicly funded child care and child care choice.

DeWine also wants more money to help pregnant mothers stop smoking and to reduce tobacco use overall in the state.

“Gov. DeWine kicked off his press conference by renewing his commitment to Ohio’s youngest children,” said Lyananne Gutierrez, president and CEO of Groundwork Ohio, an advocacy group. “He underscored his priority by announcing increased child care investments, a new partially refundable state child tax credit for young children, and expanded home visiting. This budget strengthens families by enabling parents to remain connected to the workforce and provide for their families.”

DeWine proposes increasing funding for the state’s suicide prevention hotline, cybersecurity efforts for local communities, drug task forces, affordable housing in rural and border counties, public libraries, and landfill oversight.

The proposed budget would also create the Ohio Hazard Mitigation Program, which would provide grants to fund projects to protect against storm-related infrastructure damage.

“Notwithstanding the positives, The Buckeye Institute is disappointed not to hear anything about future tax reform, and there are concerns about the level of overall spending growth, such as increasing the local government fund at a time when rising property taxes are providing localities with plenty of tax dollars,” said Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute.