DeWine wants to ax sales tax on baby supplies

Gov. Mike DeWine said last week he wants to make Ohio "the best place in the nation to have a baby and raise a family."

Why it matters: Ohio's infant and maternal mortality rates trend higher than national rates and are likely to increase in a post-Roe Ohio.

What's happening: DeWine is enhancing his Bold Beginning Initiative with new proposals to help support parents. Proposed initiatives include:

• Removing state and local taxes on diapers, car seats, wipes and baby supplies.
• Extending paid maternity leave for state employees from six to 12 weeks.
• Expanding Medicaid access to adopted youth and their families as well as improving the statewide foster care system.

The latest: Medicaid has already partnered with private OB/GYN practices to help mothers receive individualized preventative and prenatal care.

What they're saying: "Helping both babies, and their families, will have profound impact on our communities and our economy," DeWine said in a statement. "Supporting Ohio’s families now will help children thrive as adults and continue leading our great state to an even brighter future."

What's next: DeWine has to work with lawmakers to make it happen.

The other side: Earlier this year, state Democrats introduced legislation to cut sales tax on diapers, provide families with a one-time formula credit and other initiatives. Though the diaper proposal had a Republican cosponsor, the bills haven't progressed beyond committee.

• "To make Ohio truly the best place in the nation to have a baby and raise a family, Republicans need to stop procrastinating and act on proposals already in front of them," House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) told the Cincinnati Enquirer.