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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Republicans Propose 'Natural Family Month' To Boost Birth Rate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ohio Republican lawmakers introduced a bill aiming to designate the weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day as "Natural Family Month" to try to tackle America's falling birth rate. Why It Matters America's fertility rate is now projected to average 1.6 births per woman over the next three decades, according to the Congressional Budget Office's latest forecast released this year. The number is well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman required to maintain a stable population without immigration. The Ohio bill is one of several recent proposals nationwide that seek to boost birth rates by affirming the role of marriage and two-parent households. Riley Walters, 7 months old from Traverse City, Michigan, watches her first National Cherry Festival Junior Royale Parade through downtown Traverse City on July 8, 2004. Riley Walters, 7 months old from Traverse City, Michigan, watches her first National Cherry Festival Junior Royale Parade through downtown Traverse City on July 8, 2004. AP What To Know The proposed legislation would create a "Natural Family Month" observance in Ohio each year between the second Sunday in May and the third Sunday in June. State representatives Beth Lear, of the 61st District, and Josh Williams, of the 44th, introduced House Bill 262. It has 26 co-sponsors, including the Ron Ferguson, of the 96th District, who told WTOV News 9 that he does not expect the bill to be passed before the summer break, although he does expect it go through before the end of the General Assembly. The bill is currently in the House committee and had its first hearing on Tuesday afternoon. Newsweek has contacted Lear, Williams and Ferguson via email for comment. Critics of the bill include Equality Ohio, which argues that it excludes families made up of same-sex couples. "I think that's people really trying to stretch what we're focused on here," Ferguson said. "What we're really focused on is, again, recognizing that a mother and a father are very important for the development of a child." President Donald Trump's administration has spoken out about the issue of declining birth rates multiple times, with Vice President JD Vance saying on January 24 that he wanted "more babies" to be born in the U.S. Trump has signed an executive order expanding access to in vitro fertilization for Americans, and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy directed the Department of Transportation to give funding precedence to "communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average." The White House is also reportedly exploring giving women a "baby bonus" of $5,000 to encourage Americans to have more children. What People Are Saying Ohio state Representative Ron Ferguson: "What we really need to see is an increase in population and creation of family, and so it was exciting to really support something that recognizes mothers and fathers." Ohio state Representative Beth Lear, in a previous press release: "At a time when marriage is trending downward and young couples are often choosing to remain childless, it's important for the State of Ohio to make a statement that marriage and families are the cornerstone of civil society, and absolutely imperative if we want to maintain a healthy and stable Republic." President Donald Trump, during a speech in December: "We want more babies, to put it nicely." Vice President JD Vance, who is from Ohio, in January: "We failed a generation not only by permitting a culture of abortion on demand but also by neglecting to help young parents achieve the ingredients they need to lead a happy and meaningful life. "Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another as a core part of living in a society. So let me say very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America." What Happens Next The bill needs to go through multiple steps before being voted on by the Ohio House, then Senate.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What yes or no vote really means for Ohio Issue 2 in May election
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans voting in the May 6 primary and special election will be deciding whether to pass Issue 2, a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing $2.5 billion in infrastructure funding. If passed, Issue 2 would allow the state to give out up to $250 million in bonds annually, or $2.5 billion over the next decade, to fund local infrastructure projects, like building roads, bridges, landfills, water supply systems and more. It's a funding program dating back to 1987, and Ohio voters have renewed it three times since — in 1995 with 62% of the vote, in 2005 with 54%, and in 2014 with 65%. Some Ohioans say proposed ban of phones in schools violates parents' rights The amendment's passage would mark an increase in the program's spending, as the current cycle is capped at issuing $200 million annually. However, because the amendment is a bond program, it's repaid using existing revenue and will not raise taxes. A 'yes' vote would be in support of the program and extending it for another 10 years, while a 'no' vote would be in favor of ending the program after the current cycle's projects wrap up. Issue 2 has bipartisan support from most Statehouse lawmakers and is backed by the Strong Ohio Communities Coalition, a group of stakeholders like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Contractors Association. The coalition noted that the program has funded more than 19,000 projects since 1987, and its renewal would create an estimated 35,000 construction jobs. Annual Buckeye pinwheel planting celebrates, brings awareness to organ donations '[The program] has a long and proven track record of success — funding vital roadway improvements and critical water safety projects across all 88 counties,' said Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman. 'Issue 2's broad support from local elected officials, business leaders, and labor groups mirrors the nearly unanimous bipartisan support the General Assembly gave inagreeing to place the renewal issue before voters on the May 6 ballot.' A few Republican legislators said they are voting against Issue 2, and those opponents are backed by The Grassroots Freedom Initiative. One of those lawmakers is Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), who argues not all Ohio communities are benefiting from the program and that the state needs to find a better way to fund these infrastructure projects. 'I do think it's outdated, and it continues to grow,' Ferguson previously told NBC4. 'We're in this time where we should be making tax dollars stretch as far as possible to provide as many good, solid services for people as possible and I don't think this is the most efficient way to do that.' Those in Ohio wishing to use mail-in voting must first submit a request form for an absentee ballot, available here, and return it by mail or in person to their county board of elections. While Ohio began mailing absentee ballots on April 8 to those who submitted a request, the deadline to request a ballot is seven days before the election on April 29. Sheriff speaks about finding dead dogs at Madison County home After receiving and completing their ballot, Ohioans must ensure their ballot is postmarked by the day before the election, May 5, in order to be counted. Voters can also return their absentee ballot in person to their county board of elections before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on May 6. Early in-person voting started on April 8. Voters can cast ballots at county boards of elections most days leading up to the weekend before special election day, so long as they come with photo identification. Here's when you can vote early: April 14-18: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-25: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 29: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 30 – May 2: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 3: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ohio requires in-person voters to have a form of photo identification in order to vote. That includes an Ohio driver's license, an Ohio ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID, or an Ohio National Guard ID. All identification must have an expiration date that has not passed, a photograph of the voter, and the voter's name, which must substantially conform to the voter's name as it appears in the poll list. There are many resources on the Secretary of State's website, that will make your trip to the polls easier: View your sample ballot here. Find your May 6 polling location here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
