Ohioans are facing increasing struggles with “affordability.” In fact, we have been for several years now. Lawmakers know that, but aren’t always clear on what to do.

A group of state representatives has come up with a collection of ideas they believe will gain bipartisan support.

“Ohio is too expensive for too many, and it’s time that legislators and leaders stepped up to take action,” Ohio state Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, told the Ohio Capital Journal. “For too long, politicians in Columbus have steered the economy in the wrong direction.”

Ideas for tackling health care costs include creation of a reinsurance program.

“So, if someone got cancer or had a serious heart condition that required expensive treatment, the state would be able to step in and cover part of the cost of that catastrophic care,” according to state Rep. Anita Somani, D-Dublin. According to the Capital Journal, 17 states already have such a program, which have reportedly caused insurance premiums to go down.

Other proposals look at housing and childcare. One bill would provide down payment assistance for new home buyers; another would create a refundable income tax credit for eligible child care expenses.

State Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, plans to introduce a bill that would ask the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to freeze all utility rate increases for 12 months; and another bill that would increase the state’s gas mileage severance tax from 2.5% to 7%.

Regarding one of the child care proposals, state Rep. Crystal Lett, D-Columbus, said “This is absolutely not a radical idea. We invest in child care, we are investing in our workforce, in our businesses and in our economy.”

No, none of the proposal are “radical” ideas. But many of them do seem to be coming from people from one political party. Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle must not fall into the trap of believing any idea that comes from someone with a different letter after their last name must be fought without question.

By the same token, all lawmakers must remember their responsibility is two-fold. Yes, they work for us and must be looking for solutions to the challenges we all face. But precisely because they work for us, they must also be prudent guardians of public money — OUR money.

Perhaps many of these ideas can be accomplished with both things in mind. It would be wonderful to find ways to support Ohio families who are trying to stretch their budgets.

But as they explore each proposal they must, indeed, be innovative AND frugal. (Just like the rest of us are forced to be).