TL;DR: Too many Ohio families are one car repair, medical bill, or layoff away from financial ruin. Ron Kincaid’s American Dividend Plan offers a common-sense solution: a modest monthly income supplement for working families, so every Ohioan has a basic floor of security while still rewarding hard work.
Table of Contents
- The Problem: Paychecks That Don’t Stretch
- Introducing the American Dividend
- Why It Works for Families and Communities
- How It Differs From Handouts
- Moving Ohio Forward Together
The Problem: Paychecks That Don’t Stretch
Working families across Ohio are doing everything right—working full time, budgeting carefully—yet still can’t keep up with rising costs. Housing, groceries, and child care have all spiked in recent years, while wages for most workers have stayed flat.
According to U.S. Census data, the median household income in Ohio has barely moved in the last decade when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that an Ohio worker earning minimum wage would need to work 82 hours a week just to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.
The bottom line: too many families are one setback away from losing everything.
Introducing the American Dividend
Ron Kincaid’s American Dividend Plan would guarantee a monthly income boost for working families:
- $500 per month for single earners making $75,000 or less.
- $500 per month per household for dual earners making $150,000 or less.
This isn’t about replacing work—it’s about giving working Ohioans breathing room when life throws a curveball. Think of it as financial shock absorbers for the middle class.
Why It Works for Families and Communities
Evidence from pilot programs and studies shows that small, steady cash payments improve family stability:
- Families avoid eviction and utility shutoffs.
- Parents can afford better child care, leading to stronger workforce participation.
- Local businesses benefit when families have a little more to spend.
A 2021 Stockton, California pilot program found that guaranteed income participants were more likely to find full-time work and reported better physical and mental health. Ohio families deserve the same chance to thrive.
How It Differs From Handouts
Critics will say: “This is a handout.” It’s not.
- Tied to work: The American Dividend is designed for people who are working and paying taxes, but still struggling to stay afloat.
- Pro-family: It keeps parents in the workforce by helping with unpredictable costs like child care, car repairs, or medical co-pays.
- Simple: Unlike dozens of overlapping programs, this is a direct, transparent benefit that reduces bureaucracy and empowers people to make their own choices.
It’s about strengthening the middle class, not expanding dependency.
Moving Ohio Forward Together
Ron Kincaid believes economic security is the foundation of freedom. Without it, families can’t plan for the future, pursue new opportunities, or give their kids a better life.
The American Dividend isn’t a partisan idea—it’s a practical one. It respects hard work, strengthens local communities, and ensures that no Ohio family has to live one paycheck away from disaster.
👉 Add your name to support the American Dividend Plan. Together, we can build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.
