Why is everything so expensive?

Every election cycle brings a new list of issues politicians insist should dominate the conversation. Some focus on education. Others emphasize healthcare, public safety, or economic development. National political debates consume television news and social media feeds.

If you ask Ohio families what issue matters most to them, the answer is increasingly clear: It’s affordability.

Recent statewide polling found 64% of Ohio voters identified lowering the cost of living as one of the two most important issues facing their families. No other issue came close to matching the broad concern Buckeyes have about simply making ends meet.

This finding should surprise no one because Ohioans see the affordability crisis every day. They see it at the grocery store checkout line, on their electric bills, at the gas pump, and when renewing homeowners insurance or searching for an affordable home.

The economy may be growing. New businesses may be opening. Major development projects may be announced with anfare. Yet many feel they are falling behind.

The problem is not that Ohioans are unwilling to work. Quite the opposite. People are working hard, taking overtime and picking up multiple jobs. The cost of everyday life continues to rise faster than many family budgets can handle.

A generation ago, the American Dream seemed attainable for most middle-class families. A steady job could support a mortgage, a family vacation, college savings and a retirement account. Today, many Ohioans are focused on a simpler goal: making sure there is enough money left at the end of the month.

This reality is shaping Ohio politics in ways both parties are beginning to recognize.

Affordability has become a central theme in the race for governor, along with other races across the state and country. Recent polling has shown a highly competitive Ohio gubernatorial contest between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. While polling averages have placed the race within a statistical tie, what is most notable is why the race remains so close. Both campaigns have recognized Ohioans are asking a pragmatic question: How will this help me afford my life?

That question is one reason Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy recently proposed a 90-day suspension of Ohio’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax. Legislative leaders are prepared to consider the measure this fall to offer immediate relief to motorists.

Some argue it offers meaningful relief to commuters, while others question the impact on transportation infrastructure funding. The proposal’s broader significance is undeniable: it reflects an understanding that affordability is now the dominant issue in Ohio.

The Buckeye Institute has spent years warning about the compounding impact of rising taxes, inflation, excessive government spending, and regulatory burdens on working families. The Columbus-based think tank consistently argues for reforms that let Ohioans keep more of their earnings and reduce overhead costs passed down to consumers.

The underlying frustration is not limited to Republicans, Democrats, or independents. It cuts across every demographic and every region of our state. Recent polling shows that rising prices rank as the top concern among older voters on fixed incomes, just as it does for younger families struggling with childcare and housing costs.

In many ways, affordability has become the umbrella under which nearly every other policy debate sits:

Economic development matters because people need good-paying jobs.

Energy policy matters because people want lower utility bills.

Housing policy matters because families need homes within their reach.

Tax policy and government spending matter because taxpayers ultimately foot the bill.

Ohio remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We have strong communities, a skilled workforce, and tremendous economic potential. These advantages do not matter if ordinary families cannot afford the basics.

Politicians often ask voters to focus on the issues they care about. This year, voters are sending a clear message back: Before anything else, make Ohio affordable again.

Rob Scott is the Kettering Clerk of Court, an attorney, and a small-business owner. Contact him at rob@robscott.us.