West Virginia Democrats support child care credit, push for more

(The Center Square) – A group of West Virginia Democratic legislators say they agree with a child care tax credit that Gov. Jim Justice is expected to propose in the state’s Sept. 30 special session but they hope that the state’s plans can go further in assisting with the costs of caring for children in the state.

The special session is estimated to cost $30,000 per day while bills take at least three separate days to fully pass, according to RealWV.

Delegate Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, said that the previously proposed tax credit would save families about $225 in a year while the average weekly cost of child care is between $150-$200.

“Our caucus does not oppose this plan at all, we just don’t think it’s enough,” Young said. “… We know that child care is the workforce behind the workforce.”

Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, said that income tax cuts and child care cost assistance are tied very tightly together. Williams said that he believes each dollar put into child care by the state puts $7 to $12 back into the economy but did not specify how that would occur.

“Instead of going for the bare minimum, why won’t we try to achieve excellence?” Williams said.

Young said that the West Virginia proposal would be 50% of the federal child care tax credit.

She said that pandemic child care funds helped keep services open while offering bonuses to employees but that sustained state spending would help to open up new child care slots while reducing costs through competition by increasing availability.

Caucus members added that they hope Justice releases bill proposals before the start of the special session to allow for more time for collaboration and analysis of the proposals.