The Show Me State has a critical shortage of affordable childcare providers and Missouri voters will be asked on August 6th to do something about it. The primary election ballot will ask voters whether to let the state legislature pass a property tax exemption for childcare providers.
Sen. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, sponsored the Senate bill. State Rep. Wendy Hausman, R-St. Peters, led the effort in the Missouri House.
Hausman said the proposed ballot measure would cover licensed and unlicensed providers who are registered with the state, including in-home childcare.
“This bill is hopefully to help with the child care costs,” Hausman told Missourinet. “And so, the child care facilities can also have a little bit extra money so they can stay open. We want to make sure that they stay open. We also want to encourage more child care facilities to be opened.”
She hopes the proposal will boost Missouri’s economy.
“We need to do as much as we can of state legislators to help out in the workforce development, as well as to help out small families. You know, these young families and childcare is a big issue, you know, with families trying to make ends meet. And so, there’s not enough child care facilities.”
Hausman said the proposal would cover real and personal property taxes, such as building space and transportation used for the children being served. It does not include bouncy house businesses and indoor adventure parks.
The financial impact that the proposal would have on cities, counties, schools, and local government is unknown. The state’s Blind Pension Fund could lose an estimated $400,000 a year.
“I didn’t have a lot of pushback,” according to Hausman. “I mean, some people were worried about the counties missing out on some of that local dollars that would be going to them. But I think overall, everyone thought it was a good idea. And, you know, we’ve got to help these families out. They’re struggling right now. And, you know, mom and dad both need to work. We need to help them with childcare.”
To view the ballot proposal, click here.
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