As fraud scandals rattle the American Midwest, Republican Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams has announced that he and fellow Republican Ohio state Rep. DJ Swearing have introduced legislation to prevent fraud at daycare centers receiving state taxpayer dollars.

“If you are taking taxpayer money, you will provide attendance, prove services, improve compliance, or you will lose funding and face potential prosecution if we find waste, fraud or abuse,” Williams said at the Thursday press conference.

Attorney General Dave Yost was also present to lend his support.

After large-scale fraud at childcare centers was exposed in Minnesota, concern spread to Ohio.

In response, Williams called for immediate investigations into the publicly-funded childcare system in Ohio, as The Daily Signal previously reported. On Dec. 30, 2025, Williams led dozens of other state representatives in a letter to Director of Children and Youth Kara Wente emphasizing a need for unannounced visits to daycare centers.

Williams’ and Yost’s press conference comes after

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