When it comes to economic indicators, the big national metrics don’t always reflect what is happening in ordinary households. But families certainly understand what it means for them if they are forced to rely more on credit cards to get by. According to WalletHub’s States with Largest and Smallest Credit Card Debt Increases, released this month, Ohio has the eighth-largest credit card debt increase in the country in the second quarter.

In the Buckeye State, the average credit card debt hit $40,748,707,089, an increase of $858,373,603 from the first quarter. The average household in the state owes $9,352 in credit card debt alone. That’s an increase of an average of $178.

Pennsylvania, meanwhile ranked sixth in the nation, with a total debt of $47,813,578,232, an increase of $1,007,442,709. The average household in the Keystone State owes $10,125 in credit card debt, and that’s an increase of an average of $192.

And, West Virginia came in at 40th, with a total debt of $5,884,579,911, an increase of $126,307,130. The average household in the Mountain State owes $9,212, and that’s an increase of an average of $175.

“To say Americans have a lot of credit card debt would be an understatement. The collective tab stands at roughly $1.32 trillion, with around $65 billion of that amount coming from last year alone,” according to the report.

During the second quarter, credit card debt increased by approximately $28 billion, nationwide.

Adding to the picture is preliminary data for the third quarter, which shows there may be another 0.4 percent increase in credit card debt compared with the same month (July) last year.

California ranked first on the list compiled by the Washington, D.C.-based personal financial website — meaning it had the largest increase in credit card debt — while Wyoming was 50th.

Credit card interest rates have increased alongside inflation and increases in the cost of living. Financial stressors that might be easily absorbed by higher income households have a significant effect on lower income families who may feel forced to turn to credit cards and hope their situation will improve somewhere down the line.

It’s worth asking, then: What is happening in our region that credit card debt is increasing more than most other states? What challenges are families facing? And why does it seem as though lawmakers and public officials are choosing to focus on anything but making changes that could mitigate some of those economic challenges?

Some economists suggest an increase in reliance on credit cards (and increasing credit card debt as families find it difficult to quickly pay down their balance) can be a sign a recession is on the way.

A recent Moody’s Analytics report suggested one-third of U.S. states could already be in recession. Households across the Tri-State Area are feeling that pinch now, and using the resources available to them to deal with it. They’re already faced with reality.

It’s time for the folks in Columbus, Charleston and Harrisburg to drop the political theatrics and face reality, too.