QUESTION — Michael Kripchak, Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Iva “Ari” Faber, Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 30th Senate District, answered questions during a town hall held in Saturday by national advocacy group Mother Forward at Froehlich’s Classic Corner. — Christopher Dacanay

STEBENVILLE — During a town hall meeting Saturday, a national mothers’ advocacy group questioned federal and public office candidates on issues affecting families, including access to child care and paid leave.

Hosting its first event in the Steubenville area was Mother Forward, a movement of mothers, child care providers and other advocates that organizes at the state and federal levels to advocate for accessible, affordable and equitable child care, as well as guaranteed paid family leave. The group, founded in January 2023, operates in 15 states and has about 300 members in Ohio, according to local member Katie Holler.

Billed as a nonpartisan event, Saturday’s town hall at Froehlich’s Classic Corner invited federal and state candidates in the Nov. 5 general election to discuss child care and paid leave in Ohio and the U.S., and how each candidate will help families and mothers.

Candidates in attendance included Michael Kripchak, the Democratic candidate for the 6th U.S. House District, and Iva. “Ari” Faber, Democratic candidate for Ohio Senate District 30. Incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was represented by Jennifer Lyle, mayor of New Concord.

Also invited but either declined or did not respond were incumbent Republican House Representative Michael Rulli; incumbent Republican Senator Brian Chavez; Bernie Moreno, Republican candidate for US Senate; Don Kissick, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate and incumbent Republican Rep. Ron Ferguson.

“The purpose of this town hall is to raise issues that are on the hearts of many mothers and families across the state and across the country.” said Mother Forward’s Lindsay Agler at the start of the event. “This is a nonpartisan town hall, so no endorsements will be made, and we would like to allow our candidates here to share their positions on these issues, as well as allow our visitors to share stories and ask questions.”

In a prepared statement read by Lyle, Brown said: “I have dedicated my career to fighting for the dignity of work. … No group exemplifies the dignity of work better than the mothers and child care workers who help raise the next generation.” He added that women should not have to choose between work and pregnancy.

Brown said his history supporting women and child care providers includes passage of the Rural America Child Care Enhancement Act of 2023, which would expand federal programs to improve child care in rural communities; supporting efforts to provide workers with 12 weeks of paid family leave and introducing the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, which would require employers with 15 or more employees to provide “reasonable accommodation” for pregnant women, such as extra toilet breaks, light duties or a stool to sit on.

Local practicing OB/GYN Dr. Rachel Gilman moderated the event, first asking the candidates if they support a fully funded child care system in Ohio and the United States. Kripchak and Faber responded: “Yes.” Both also said they believe the country should have federally mandated paid parental leave.

Gilman noted that day care prices have risen almost at the rate of inflation over the past three decades, with the average cost of infant care being $12,000 per year. When asked about solution plans “run away” child care costs, Faber offered parents a tax credit that decreases as the child gets older. Kripchak also talked about tax breaks.

Citing a 26 percent decline in the number of child care workers over the past five years, Gilman asked how candidates would support the provision of child care services. “decent and decent wages” to these persons.

Kripchak said this is a symptom of a deeper problem, noting that the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the state’s school funding system is unconstitutional because it relies too heavily on property taxes, which in turn harms schools in economically distressed areas . Faber has spoken out in favor of raising Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 and supporting child care workers’ efforts to unionize and rally for better wages and benefits.

The candidates were later asked what could be done about inequitable funding for Ohio public schools. Kripchak said the Ohio Legislature has done nothing to address the problem, and Faber said another form of tax could be used, such as an income or sales tax.

Gilman said private equity controls 12 percent of the U.S. child care industry and said franchising and chain programs have the most benefit. “high turnover” while simultaneously charging parents to make a profit.

Asked about putting education ahead of private profit, Faber said more support is needed “family stores” meaning of cutting “red ribbon” at the Ohio Department of Development and the creation of a state bank offering better rates to small businesses. Kripchak said support would be provided by establishing certain requirements for grant funds and tax incentives.

Gilman noted that the United States is one of seven countries in the world without paid maternity leave, and one of 83 countries without paid parental leave. Additionally, she said, the Family Medical Leave Act guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but only 56 percent of Americans actually qualify for it.

When asked how much federal or state paid leave they support, both candidates said they support Brown’s proposal for 12 weeks of paid family leave. Kripchak said that this “minimum minimum” and states should be allowed to act in addition to this. Faber proposed 12 weeks of paid parental leave in addition to 12 weeks of paid FMLA, totaling nearly six months of leave for a single parent that could be taken at any time during the child’s first year of life.

Asked later why 12 weeks of paid leave was sufficient, Lyle said the time frame was apparently arbitrary, taking into account the time it takes a mother to physically recover from pregnancy. She added that babies can usually be sent to daycare after twelve weeks.

FMLA currently requires workers to be employed by a company with 50 or more employees, work there for at least 12 months and work at least 1,250 hours during the previous year, Gilman said, adding that it discriminates against a large portion of the workforce. .

Faber expressed support for making FMLA available to anyone who works 20 or more hours a week at any business with 20 or more employees, regardless of how long they work there. Kripchak said he supports the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. Moreover, he said that he “oscillating” set a 20-hour floor for FMLA, arguing that such a barrier could dissuade employers from hiring full-time workers.