The child care tax credit reaches the legislative finish line

A bill that would provide a tax break to parents whose children are in child care has passed the Legislature and is now on the governor’s desk.

The child care tax credit law could give the average Mountain State family a $265 reduction on their state income taxes.

To put that in perspective, it would offset 1-2 weeks of the cost of child care for a child for private families.

Sen. Micheal Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said this tax credit is a small step in the right direction, but lawmakers need to do more to attract young families to the state and help those already here.

“We are one of the oldest states per capita in the country. What we urgently need here are young people, young people with families, who will help us stem the demographic chasm that we are facing,” he said. “And so I see this investment in child care as just a way to help us get there.”

Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, who also voted for the bill and authored many child care bills during the regular session that never made it to the finish line. He said the state needs to do more and can do more.

“We have proven time and time again that we are spending $300,000 on some statutes for unknown reasons,” Woelfel said. “I mean, the money is there if whoever is pushing the buttons thinks that’s a priority.”

There is currently a shortage of child care in the state, many families are on the waiting list, and 20,000 spaces are needed in the state.