State Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery), the primary sponsor of House Bill 654, or the Strategic Tax Options for Raising Kids (STORK) Act, has been vigorously promoting the legislation on social media. But critics argue that Click is overstating the benefits, and that the bill is really an attempt to classify embryos and fetuses as people and undermine abortion rights in the state.
The bill would allow expectant parents to claim fetuses as dependents on their Ohio state income taxes, which Click argues will provide financial relief to families preparing for a new child.
Critics point out that the tax deduction for a dependent under this bill would amount to $1,650, resulting in an estimated tax savings of only about $36 per year for most families. This modest sum does little to offset the substantial costs of pregnancy, which can run into thousands of dollars before the child is even born.
Click’s social media campaigns depict the STORK Act as a significant financial support measure, but opponents see it as a symbolic gesture that falls short of addressing the real economic challenges faced by expectant parents.
As Click continues to champion the STORK Act online, the bill’s actual impact remains questionable. Many Ohioans are skeptical of the social media hype, recognizing that the proposed legislation offers limited financial relief in practice.
Beyond this particular bill, Click has garnered a reputation as a controversial figure in Ohio politics, often accused of showboating rather than focusing on tangible results for his district. His legislative record is marked by high-profile yet polarizing initiatives, such as sponsoring bills to ban abortion and restrict LGBTQ+ rights, including conversion therapy and gender-affirming care for minors.
While these efforts have gained him attention, they have also led to criticisms that he prioritizes ideological battles over addressing the everyday needs of his constituents in Sandusky and Seneca Counties.
