Groundwork Ohio Responds to Final State Budget: Budget Secures Modest Wins, But Fails to Meet the Moment for Ohio’s Youngest

July 1, 2025 - Columbus, OH — Today, Groundwork Ohio released the following statement in response to the final passage of the state operating budget: 

“We are hopeful that—even in a challenging fiscal and political environment—the final budget keeps Ohio moving with intention toward the goals set forth by Governor DeWine to improve outcomes for young children and families", said Lynanne Gutierrez, Groundwork Ohio President & CEO. "We appreciate the Governor’s continued advocacy, the leadership of legislative champions who prioritized protecting core early childhood investments, and, most especially, the families who bravely shared their stories to keep kids at the center of this debate.” 

The path forward is uncertain. Without new action, Ohio will face a $600 million shortfall in child care funding next biennium as one-time federal dollars dry up. At the same time, looming federal proposals to slash Medicaid threaten hard-won protections for moms and babies. “We have serious work ahead to defend progress and push forward.” 

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About Groundwork Ohio

Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data driven and evidence-based early childhood policies.