Greg Abbott’s ineffective, and wildly expensive ($4.6 billion and counting) Operation Lone Star border enforcement initiative might be an excellent place to start clawing back money for child care needs.
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That’s why lawmakers should find a way to help, even if it means moving money out of other programs to free up cash for child care workers. That’s bad news for family budgets and a Texas economy that is struggling to hire workers.Īn investment in child care is an investment in the future of Texas. In such a scenario, some parents-especially those in rural childcare deserts where options are scarce-would be forced to consider quitting their jobs to care for their preschool-age children. The average annual cost for infant daycare in Texas is $9,300 fewer providers would almost certainly drive that eye-watering dollar amount even higher. Widespread shuttering of daycare doors would exacerbate an already dire shortage of affordable child care available to parents. But what, if anything, is more important than the care and early education of our youngest children and the gainful employment of their parents? Legislators should consider providing state money to help daycare operators raise wages, retain workers and recruit new ones. Our Editorial Board understands that Texas has a vast array of important needs that exceed the record budget surplus that lawmakers are trying to divvy up responsibly in the waning days of the legislative session. Child care facilities that allow parents to work and support their families are also vital to the economy and deserve similar assistance in their time of need.Ĭhild care is an urgent need for Texas families Such government bailouts are certainly not unprecedented, but the money has typically flowed to big businesses such as banks, the auto industry or the airlines. It’s a lot of money, and some will question why private child care businesses should receive tax money to pay their workers and keep their doors open. Armando Walle, a Houston Democrat who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, has submitted a request for that amount in the 2024-2025 state budget cycle hoping it will be included in the final budget approved by the legislature later this month. Advocates are asking lawmakers for $2.3 billion to shore up early child care in Texas.
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