Virginia lawmakers are taking steps to address the ever-rising costs of child care, eying various proposals in this year’s legislative session to help reduce the financial burden on parents.
More than a dozen bills and proposals have been offered, nonprofit news outlet The 74 reportedfocusing on more funding for early childhood education and child care.
“There are a host of legislative priorities that we’re all working on in a bipartisan fashion … to make sure that every individual who is seeking child care will have access,” Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, told the news outlet. “While we have made significant strides, I think we will all recognize that there’s still quite a way to go.”
In December, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed $448 million in the 2024-2026 budget for early childhood programs for low-income families, as well as $25 million for a program to establish “early learning hubs” in partnership with higher education institutions.
A spokesman for the governor told The 74 that about $173 million in fiscal year 2025 and $238 million in fiscal year 2026 would go toward the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program.
Nationally, child care prices range anywhere from $4,800 to $15,000, depending on the child’s age and location, according to the Department of Labor. In Virginia, a state legislative watchdog found in a report last year that child care is unaffordable for most families with young children.
Parents saw some relief when pandemic-era federal programs were in place, but many have since expired after funding ran out.
One of the more popular provisions was an expansion of the child tax credita partially refundable credit applied when taxes are filed. Changes made during the pandemic split the tax credit up into monthly payments for one year only in 2021. Now, House Republican leaders are working on a proposal to expand the credit again.
In Virginia, legislation has also been proposed to expand the number of families who can qualify for aid, The 74 reported. It includes House Bill 407which would make any families receiving federal assistance automatically qualify for state assistance.
Child care costs in the state have been the subject of at least one political ad targeting U.S. Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, R-Va., for her vote to cut funding to child care resources, Blue Virginia reported. The ad from Affordable Virginia features a Virginia Beach mother of five describing the challenges she faces getting care for her children.
The ad references Kiggans’ votes in favor of the Default on America Actwhich the White House says would gut funding for low-income students, as well as a Republican-sponsored continuing resolution that would make cuts to Head Start programs.
