Hall: Texas childcare crisis needs innovative solutions | Forum

Here in Texas, especially in our small towns and rural communities, we pride ourselves on hard work and family values. A growing challenge is threatening both principles in Texas— the lack of affordable, high-quality childcare options.

With only 80 available workers for every 100 open jobs (and 60% of non-working parents citing childcare as the primary reason they’re unable to work), Texas faces a workforce shortage costing the economy over $11 billion every year. With Texas lawmakers in session in Austin, now is the time to bring pro-business, practical solutions to the table to address this challenge.

Supporting families and businesses is a Texas value, but for many small businesses, the childcare crisis is a daily obstacle. The ripple effects are clear: 62% of small business owners report unplanned absences, 30% face resignations and 39% lose business opportunities. In communities where every job counts, we can’t afford to ignore this. If we want Texas to keep thriving, we must back innovative solutions that support families and the local businesses that power our rural towns.

Meanwhile, Texans are paying more than ever for goods and services, often because labor shortages make running a business less profitable and efficient. Not only are these problems for today’s economy, but inadequate childcare contributes to poorer educational outcomes, setting us further back for our future workforce.

The impact goes beyond supporting local families and businesses. Every dollar invested in high-quality childcare returns $4 to $9 in benefits from better education, health and community outcomes. Investing in childcare is investing in Texas’s future, and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

That’s why the Employers for Childcare Task Force — a nonpartisan coalition including the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Association of Business, Early Matters, and Texas 2036 — is championing sustainable, innovative childcare solutions this legislative session. The coalition has filed four bills focused on improving employer access to childcare benefits, offering tax credits to businesses that support working parents and streamlining childcare regulations and governance, so costs do not continue to creep up for working families.

Passing these bills won’t happen without statewide support, especially from rural communities. Business leaders, community advocates and Texans everywhere have a role to play. We invite you to join the task force in driving real solutions for working families. Contact your legislators, share your story, and help build a childcare system that works for all Texans — particularly those in the small towns and communities that keep our state strong.

— Kelly Hall is the president/CEO of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.