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Legislators working on bills to address child care shortage

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February 2nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) A House committee has voted to create two new state tax incentives for expanding child care in Iowa, but backers admit both bills are not in final form. Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson says the first would establish a new state tax credit for property developers.

The other bill would offer state tax breaks to business owners that promise to expand on-site day care centers for their employees or build new ones. State economic development officials have asked for more guidelines for how businesses would qualify. Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque says these two bills are a start.

Other bills on the topic are pending. One that’s eligible for House debate would increase the number of Iowa parents who are eligible to claim a state income tax credit for child care expenses.