Ohio Republicans' Dangerous Legislative Agenda:
A Detailed Examination of the Harmful Proposals Looming on the Horizon
As the Ohio legislature prepares to reconvene, Ohioans are facing a series of legislative proposals that could drastically alter the state’s economic, educational, and social landscape. Spearheaded by Republican leaders like Representative Jennifer Gross, these proposals are not just extreme—they are reckless and pose a significant threat to the wellbeing of Ohio's citizens. Here’s a closer look at the top five most dangerous proposals, as outlined in Rep. Gross’s tweets, and why they represent a grave threat to Ohio’s future.
1. Abolishing the State Income Tax: A Financial Catastrophe Waiting to Happen
One of the most radical proposals from Ohio Republicans is the push to eliminate the state income tax. At first glance, this might sound appealing to taxpayers, as it promises to reduce the tax burden on individuals. However, the reality of such a move is much more troubling.
The state income tax currently accounts for about 26% of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). This revenue is crucial for funding critical public services such as education, transportation, public health, and law enforcement. Without this steady source of income, Ohio would be forced to make drastic cuts to these essential services, leading to an erosion of public infrastructure and a decrease in the quality of life for all Ohioans.
Moreover, the proposal to eliminate the income tax without a clear strategy for replacing this critical funding source raises significant concerns. Ohio would likely have to increase property taxes or sales taxes to make up for the lost revenue, both of which disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families. Sales taxes are regressive, meaning that they take a larger percentage of income from the poor than the wealthy. A heavier reliance on property taxes could also harm homeowners, especially in areas where property values have risen but wages have not kept pace. As a result, the tax burden would shift from high earners to everyday Ohioans who are already struggling to make ends meet.
This proposal is not an isolated case—several other states that have attempted to eliminate their income tax have faced significant economic and social consequences. States like Kansas and Louisiana, which drastically reduced or eliminated their state income taxes in recent years, have faced budget deficits and were forced to raise sales taxes or cut vital services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. Kansas, in particular, saw its credit rating downgraded and experienced cuts to public education, leading to teacher protests and growing public dissatisfaction.
Instead of reducing the state’s reliance on income taxes, Ohio could adopt more responsible fiscal policies that ensure tax fairness, such as closing corporate tax loopholes and requiring large corporations to pay their fair share. Eliminating the income tax is a dangerous gamble that could jeopardize the financial stability of the state and place a burden on working families, all while enriching the wealthiest Ohioans.
It’s clear that abolishing the state income tax would not lead to a "tax paradise" for Ohioans but instead open the door to a financial crisis that would leave everyday citizens footing the bill.1
2. Expanding the EdChoice Voucher Program: A War on Public Education
The EdChoice Voucher program was introduced with the aim of allowing families to use state funds for private school tuition. However, this program has become a costly drain on taxpayer dollars, siphoning money from the public education system. Currently, the EdChoice Voucher program costs the state approximately $1 billion annually, a sum that grows every year as more students are granted vouchers to attend private schools, often with fewer regulations and oversight.
The GOP’s latest proposal to expand this program is nothing short of an attack on public education. By diverting more taxpayer funds to private, often unaccountable institutions, Ohio would see even greater disinvestment in its public schools. This comes at a time when public schools are already grappling with inadequate funding, teacher shortages, and aging infrastructure.
Instead of making improvements to Ohio’s public school system, Republicans are opting to throw more money at private schools that do not have to follow the same standards or provide the same accountability as public schools. This only deepens the divide between rich and poor students, as wealthier families can more easily afford private schooling, while public schools serving low-income communities are left to suffer. Ohio deserves better than a two-tiered education system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of everyone else.
A recent bill aimed at bringing accountability to private schools receiving taxpayer dollars was severely weakened after intense lobbying from private school advocates. Initially, the bill proposed requirements such as disclosing how voucher money is spent, administering the same standardized tests as public schools, and reporting family income to ensure the program benefits those who need it most. However, after testimony from lobbyists, these provisions were removed. The lobbyists also blocked any transparency in the admissions process, preventing the public from knowing how students are selected.
In short, this move increases the flow of public money into private, for-profit schools while keeping taxpayers completely in the dark about how their money is being used—prioritizing private interests over public accountability.
3. Restricting Abortion Access: A Direct Attack on Women’s Rights
The Ohio GOP’s rhetoric around “protecting and saving women and babies” is a carefully constructed political phrase, often masking harmful policies that target the LGBTQ+ community and restrict reproductive rights. When Republican legislators talk about “protecting women,” it is frequently a veiled reference to anti-transgender measures. A key example is the passage of the “Protect Women’s Sports Act,” which banned transgender girls from competing in women’s sports2. The law, under the guise of protecting women, actively undermines the rights of transgender youth and further entrenches discrimination against them.
Already, Ohio has seen the passage of a bathroom ban for transgender students in schools, affecting all grade levels from kindergarten through post-graduate education3. This discriminatory law is part of a broader national trend, and given the current momentum behind anti-transgender policies, we are likely to see an even more expansive bathroom ban in the upcoming legislative session. The GOP’s use of “protecting women” is increasingly tied to a campaign that erases the rights of transgender people, particularly youth, rather than offering true protections for all women.
On the issue of “protecting babies,” the GOP’s actions speak volumes about their priorities. In 2023, Ohio voters took a firm stand to protect reproductive freedom by enshrining the right to an abortion in the state constitution. This victory did not sit well with Republicans, who fought tooth and nail against it. First, they attempted to manipulate the amendment process by raising the threshold needed to pass a constitutional amendment, hoping to block voters’ will. When that failed, they spread misinformation to confuse the public about the impact of the amendment.
Despite this defeat, the so-called “Pro-Life Caucus” did not back down. They issued a statement declaring, “We will do everything in our power to prevent our laws from being removed based upon perception of intent.”
Rep. Jennifer Gross, a leading figure in the caucus, introduced a bill that would have stripped state and local judges of jurisdiction over the reproductive rights amendment, giving lawmakers sole authority over its implementation. Her bill also proposed impeaching any judge who ruled in favor of the amendment’s protections5. This drastic proposal failed to gain traction only because the Speaker of the House at the time opposed it, though he was not re-elected, raising concerns about future efforts to undermine judicial oversight.
These actions make it clear that the GOP’s agenda is not about “protecting babies,” but about rolling back reproductive rights and disregarding the will of the people. They are intent on circumventing the democratic process to impose their own agenda, all while using the language of “protection” to cover up their real intentions. In short, the Ohio GOP’s focus on “protecting women and babies” is not about safeguarding rights, but about restricting access and silencing opposition.
4. "Medical Freedom" Laws: A Dangerous Assault on Public Health
The phrase “Medical Freedom” has become a euphemism for anti-vaccination rhetoric, especially in Ohio GOP circles. Despite claims of advocating for personal choice, the GOP has shown a clear disregard for medical autonomy when it comes to certain groups. Take, for instance, their push to strip pregnant individuals, trans youth, and even transgender adults of their ability to make their own medical decisions. This is exemplified by the provisions in Governor Mike DeWine’s proposals following his veto of the Gender-Affirming Care Ban (H.B. 68)6 and the legislatures overriding of that veto, which restricts access to gender-affirming care, further undermining so-called “medical freedom” for transgender individuals.
One of the most glaring examples of the GOP’s hypocrisy on this issue is Rep. Jennifer Gross’s introduction of House Bill 319, also known as the “Conscientious Right to Refuse Act.” While this bill has not yet passed, it could still come up in the lame duck session, and it warrants serious scrutiny.
So, what’s wrong with this bill? To put it simply, it gives individuals the “right” to refuse vaccination with no exceptions. In a healthcare setting, this could be catastrophic. Take, for example, a nurse working on an oncology ward. Under this bill, an unvaccinated nurse could remain on that ward without any relocation or special accommodations. They could even refuse to wear a mask unless the requirement was made of vaccinated and unvaccinated nurses alike, putting immunocompromised patients at grave risk. Worse, families would have no way of knowing whether their loved one’s caregiver is vaccinated because HIPAA laws would prevent the sharing of that information7.
In essence, this bill would prioritize an individual’s “freedom” over the health and safety of vulnerable patients, potentially endangering the lives of those who rely on critical care. This is a clear case where the Ohio GOP’s idea of “freedom” could literally be a matter of life and death for patients who are already at risk due to age, illness, or weakened immunity. This bill is not about medical freedom—it's about putting ideology before the well-being of Ohioans.
5. Rejecting Federal Funding: Economic Suicide for Ohio
Ohio receives billions in federal funding each year, ranging from $38 to $41 billion, which makes up a significant portion—20% to 22%—of the state's total revenue. This money is crucial for essential programs such as Medicaid, education, public safety, and infrastructure. Beyond this, Ohio's Senators and Representatives often fight for additional funding from various bills that send money to our state for specific projects, helping to stimulate economic growth and support public services.
Take the "One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund," for example. During the recent election cycle, many of our state legislators proudly highlighted their success in securing funding for projects from this fund, which was largely fueled by leftover money from the federal “American Rescue Plan Act.”
But let’s talk about the bigger issue here. Remember that proposal I mentioned in Item #1, which would cut 26% from our General Revenue Fund? Refusing federal dollars would increase that cut to a staggering 46%. While I sincerely doubt someone like Jennifer Gross, or any responsible policymaker, would knowingly push our state toward such an economic disaster, the numbers don’t lie. This is an unsettling revelation about the level of seriousness—or lack thereof—of some of the candidates being sent to our Capitol.
If someone like Gross were to actually pursue these cuts, the result would be nothing short of catastrophic for Ohioans. We’d face devastating cuts to Medicaid, education, public safety, and infrastructure. The state would be plunged into an economic collapse, with a crisis in healthcare, housing, and education. Costs for everyday Ohioans would skyrocket, further burdening working families and pushing our state into a financial crisis. This is not just an issue of numbers—it’s about the future of our state and the well-being of every Ohioan.
Conclusion
The chances of all these extreme priorities coming to fruition may seem slim, but the threat to Ohio is very real. Even one of these provisions, if passed, could have devastating consequences on our economy, civil rights, poverty levels, and education system.
If Jennifer Gross’s list of priorities truly reflects the Ohio GOP’s agenda, it’s clear that Democrats have a tough fight ahead—and we’re running out of time. For too long, we’ve seen registered Democrats sit out during midterms and avoid state-level races, but that has to change. The 2026 election is a critical opportunity for us to reclaim Ohio. We will have the power to elect our state representatives, senators, the Secretary of State, the Lt. Governor, and even the Governor.
No matter how defeated we may feel after the 2024 elections, we cannot afford to sit idly by. We need massive voter turnout and unwavering determination to fight for a bluer Ohio. Our future, and the future of countless Ohioans, depends on it.
Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio Republicans propose ending income tax, critics worry about economic crisis
Ohio House of Representatives: Powell's Save Women's Sports Act Becomes Law
Statehouse News Bureau: Ohio GOP lost on Issue 1. Now some want to strip power over abortion laws from the courts
Ohio House of Representatives: Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act
Ohio House of Representatives: Enact Conscientious Right to Refuse Act