issue area reports | workforce , education and child care
U . S . Sen . Patty Murray ( right ) joined Rep . Tana Senn , D-Mercer Island ( left ) and Sen . Claire Wilson , D-Auburn ( center ) at a press conference on child care .
HB 1451 child care workforce
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Tana Senn , D-Mercer Island
A shortage of child care workers is a main driver behind the state ’ s child care crisis . This bill would have established a child care worker pilot program in high schools and expanded the pool of substitute child care providers . The bill was voted out of the House Committee on Human Services , Youth and Early Learning but went no further .
HB 1716 child care b & o credit
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Alicia Rule , D-Blaine
The bill would have created a business & occupation tax credit for employers that provide child care assistance to employees . The tax credit would have enabled employers to help offset their employees ’ child care expenses as child care costs continue to climb . The bill received a hearing in the House Committee on Finance but did not advance .
SB 5225 working connections child care eligibility
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Sen . Claire Wilson , D-Auburn
The bill expands access to Working Connections Child Care subsidies , a state and federally funded program that helps eligible families pay for child care . The bill expands subsidies to child care employees with household incomes at or below 85 % of state median income . It also extends the child care subsidies to families who have
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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