House Democrats Urge Republican State Leaders To Make Big Child Care Policy Change

Later this month legislators will convene at the Capitol in a special session to consider changes to the state’s childcare policy, but House Democrats want more than just a childcare tax credit. 

A bill introduced during last winter’s regular session by Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, would have provided some tax relief for West Virginians who pay for childcare. That bill, and others addressing childcare, didn’t pass. 

Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said during a press conference in Parkersburg, held during interim meetings, that a tax credit would help – but not enough. 

“Thank God the governor is calling this,” Garcia said. “It may be late, but it is an opportunity. It cannot just be this tax credit. It can absolutely not just be that.”

Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, said that her and other House Democrats have discussed multiple childcare policies, like policies that would cost share childcare between employers, families, and the state or policies that would focus on collecting data about childcare in the state so that it can be better addressed. She says all of these proposals will strengthen the state’s workforce. 

“We know that childcare is the workforce behind the workforce, and we just need to make sure that these businesses (childcare providers) are staying open so folks can go to work and that we can increase the number of childcare facilities that we have,” Young said.  

There is no official word on what bills the legislature will consider during that special session which begins on Sept. 30. The session will also include a proposed 5 percent income tax cut.