Missouri Legislature wastes no time on childcare tax credit package

Missouri will take another shot this year at trying to enhance access to childcare services. 

A state House committee is holding a public hearing Wednesday on St. Joseph Representative Brenda Shields’ childcare tax credit package. 

The plan’s price tag could be as much as seventy million dollars and can increase by 15 percent if the tax credits are going to childcare deserts. 

“Missouri lost out on $1.35 billion of economic growth a year ago,” says Shields. “And if all those people had been working, we would have brought in $280 million in tax revenue. What we will be able to bring in, based upon growth, will more than pay for the price tag of this tax credit.” 

The plan would provide tax credits to childcare providers, donors to daycare centers, and businesses who help to cover the childcare costs of their employees.