Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation has released its 2024 Ohio State Economic Scorecard, providing residents of the Buckeye State with insight into how each representative approaches economic policies in Columbus.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for pro-growth policies. In 2024, the Foundation reviewed over 300 floor votes, scoring 15 Ohio House and 8 Ohio Senate votes.
“In 2024, Ohio reigned in government overreach by eliminating unnecessary government boards and slashing licensing fees,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “While these proposals were a step in the right direction, the legislature’s $3.51 billion appropriations binge and its expansion of Medicaid continue to limit economic growth and burden Ohio taxpayers. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must reexamine their legislative priorities to ensure Ohioans thrive for generations to come.”
Click here to view the full 2024 Ohio State Economic Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Ohio Scorecard:
Ohio Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 24%
- Average Democrat Score: 14%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Niraj Antani (SD-6): 73%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (SD-11): 40%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Robert Hackett (SD-10): 15%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Nickie Antonio (SD-23), Sen. Hearcel Craig (SD-15), Sen. William DeMora (SD-25), Sen. Catherine Ingram (SD-9), Sen. Kent Smith (SD-21), and Sen. Vernon Sykes (SD-28): 10%
Ohio House:
- Average Republican Score: 35%
- Average Democrat Score: 20%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Ron Ferguson (HD-96), Rep. Jena Powell (HD-80): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Elliot Forhan (HD-21), Rep. Joseph Miller (HD-53): 32%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Jon Cross (HD-83), Rep. Sharon Ray (HD-66): 13%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Richard Dell’Aquila (HD-15): 12%
Notable Pro-Growth Legislation:
HB 238 – STATE BOARD AND LICENSING REFORMS
- Abolishes 33 state-funded advisory groups, boards, councils, and commissions
- Prohibits fees to obtain a certificate to practice architecture
- Repeals onerous real estate licensing requirements
- Reduces inspection fees
- Expands the scope of practice for cosmetology
SB 6 – PROHIBITION ON TAXPAYER-FINANCED ESG INVESTMENTS
- Requires the state’s public employees’ retirement board that oversees $106 billion in the OH pension system to make investment decisions that will only contribute to maximizing shareholder value as opposed to promoting woke Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures
Notable Anti-Growth Legislation:
HB 2 – PROFLIGATE APPROPRIATIONS SPENDING BINGE
- Appropriates $3.51 billion in capital appropriations for myriad government programs
- $390 million to subsidize universities and colleges
- $500 million for state capitol renovations and government-sponsored construction projects
- $54 million for a commission to subsidize professional sports facilities
- $717 million in “one-time” community investment earmarks
- Requires the Department of Administrative Services to implement pay parity between unionized and non-unionized employees.
HB 101 – MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR DOULAS
- Expands Medicaid spending to cover doula services at a time when total Medicaid spending has increased from $23.5 billion to $38.8 billion (63% increase)
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.