Show-Me State Times

Following the Missouri House's approval of HB 269, a bill designed to enhance access to affordable childcare, NFIB State Director Brad Jones has urged the Senate to support the legislation. The bill, introduced by Representative Brenda Shields, aims to assist Missouri parents in securing affordable childcare and entering the workforce.

Jones emphasized the importance of this measure for small business owners. "Our small business owners have job openings they desperately want filled. In fact, a recent NFIB jobs report found that 35 percent of small businesses have an open position that they cannot fill. Increasing access to affordable childcare is a huge piece of the workforce puzzle – allowing more Missourians to enter the workforce and our small businesses to create good-paying jobs," he stated. He expressed gratitude towards Rep. Shields and her colleagues in the House for their support and called on the Senate to act promptly.

The background context provided highlights that 35% of small business owners reported unfilled job openings in January according to an NFIB jobs report.

HB 269 proposes several new tax credits aimed at alleviating childcare costs:

- The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit would allow parents a credit equal to 75% of payments made to a childcare provider.

- The Employer Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit offers employers with two or more employees a credit equal to 30% of child care expenditures up to $200,000.

- The Child Care Providers Tax Credit allows providers with three or more employees a credit amounting to their eligible employer withholding tax and up to 30% on capital expenditures.