UC economists weigh in on impact of Ohio’s Child Care Cred Program
Benefits and drawbacks of new $10 million child care program
In September, Governor Mike DeWine announced the start of the $10 million Child Care Cred Program. It’s available to families making between 200% and 400% of federal poverty guidelines, according to reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal.
Lindner College of Business economics professors David Brasington and Michael Jones were part of a recent Scioto Analysis survey asking 20 economic experts their takes on the new initiative. The survey asked about the program’s potential benefits and limitations for both children and their parents.
Brasington was one of 13 economists who thought the program could be beneficial for kid’s economic futures in particular.
“There is pretty strong evidence that attending a quality daycare causes increased school performance, especially initially, and wages later in life,” Brasington commented in the survey.
Jones, conversely, argued that research shows longer parental leave times see better outcomes for parents and their kids. “Ohio shouldn’t be creating incentives that encourage parents to spend less time with their children,” he added.
Read the full Ohio Capital Journal report.
Featured image at top of a group of children with a caregiver. Photo/Adobe Stock
Ohio is our home
The University of Cincinnati drives Ohio's economy with a $22.7 billion statewide impact, supporting over 125,000 jobs. Through innovation, research and workforce development, UC fuels economic growth and enhances quality of life across the state.
Related Stories
Local business benefits from city services
January 30, 2026
A new study from professor Brasington shows that renewing local taxes for city services actually benefits local businesses, despite preconceived notions that taxes are inherently bad for business. Published in Regional Science and Urban Economics.
Putting economic theory to the test
February 12, 2026
Economists and politicians have weighed the benefits of different theoretical models for years, but a lack of direct, empirical evidence showing the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy has made it difficult to argue for or against government funding at the local level. That’s why University of Cincinnati economics professor David Brasington, PhD, published a new study called “Fiscal policy and economic activity: New Causal Evidence” in the Scandinavian Journal of Economics. By examining decades of levy renewal data across the state of Ohio, the study estimates the impact of property taxes on income beyond theoretical projections.
More debt, more accountants?
August 4, 2025
CFO Brew, a division of Morning Brew Inc. for finance professionals, reported that the complicated student loan environment could attract more people to professions like accounting, as recent grads look for professions that offer more stability and a faster financial pay-off. CFO Brew spoke with Michael Jones, associate professor of economics in UC’s Lindner College of Business, for an in-depth analysis of the student loan repayment landscape and what it means for early careers.