JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Lawmakers are one step closer to making childcare more affordable and accessible to Mississippi families. More than three-fourths of the state is in a childcare desert; according to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the state’s economy is losing out on more than a billion dollars a year due to the lack of childcare, but under a plan passed Thursday, relief could be coming to families, businesses and providers.
“The childcare crisis and I use the word crisis intentionally, is a huge problem in our state and our entire country,” said State Representative Crystal Quade.
A major concern is costing the state money.
State Representative Brenda Shields said, “28 percent of our parents have said that they have missed work for the lack of childcare.”
Employers struggle to find workers, while employees wrestle with finding childcare.
“When employees cannot find childcare, employers and their businesses suffer. This is a problem that we know is crossing all spectrums and it’s not just in urban or rural places; this is truly every corner of the state of Missouri,” said Quade.
The solution for moving forward in Jefferson City is a tax credit for employers, families and childcare providers. The proposal is receiving bipartisan support in the house.
“I think they will find that their businesses will be offering the employer-provided tax credit, which will be assistance like a cafeteria plan or being able to go out and purchase childcare for them,” said Shields.
But nearly three dozen Republicans voted in opposition. Speaker Dean Plocher, who voted in favor of the bill, believes those GOP members were voting for their district.
“While I believe we all in the Republican Party here want to stand by children, we also want to be fiscally responsible, and I think there’s some fiscal anxiety as to the components of it,” said Plocher.
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it died last year.
“I’ve never been a fan of tax credits in the first place because that is exactly the process where the government is giving benefits to some people in the population but not everybody,” said State Senator Bill Eigel.
Over the course of two years, the state lost 11 hundred providers, leaving some counties without a facility. Which is why there’s a new push to get it across the finish line.
“Republicans and Democrats across the state have heard from people in their communities that this is a real issue and that working families are struggling; they need help,” said State Senator Lauren Arthur.
It’s estimated that these tax credits will cost the state 70 million dollars, but those in favor say they would pay for themselves with the number of Missourians that would be able to come back to work .
