A proposal to hike Travis County property taxes to fund affordable child care has won a whopping victory.
Travis County Proposition A passed 60% to 40%, according to results from the Travis County Clerk.
"It looks like Prop A has passed," Travis County Judge Andy Brown told KUT. "That means thousands of kids here in Travis County are going to get access to affordable child care that didn’t before."
“It’s really exciting that Travis County voters are trusting Travis County government to do this,” he said.
Data from the Travis County Clerk's office showed central precincts leaning in support of the measure and the outer eastern and western areas of the county generally opposed.
“[I’m] relieved and really just so excited about the opportunities this lays out for the future of our children and families in Travis County," Cathy McHorse, coalition manager for Affordable Childcare Now, said.
“Our child care system continues to be in a crisis that was exacerbated by the pandemic,” she said.
Proposition A would add 2.5 cents per $100 of property valuation. The tax rate increase would cost the average Travis County homeowner an extra $126 per year.
The tax would generate some $75 million in the first year. Travis County estimates the money would fund almost 6,000 slots in day cares or after-school and summer programs. Those spots would be reserved for children from families earning 85% or less of the median family income. That's a roughly $100,000 annual income for a family of four.
The tax revenue would also be used to incentivize companies to make child care an employee benefit by matching employer contributions.
Don't see the results graphic below? Try refreshing the page.
