Nurrenbern files tax credit bills for teachers and child care

State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City, filed two bills to give tax refunds to families and teachers.

House Bill 2866 establishes an annual $2,500 tax credit for Missouri teachers and a $1,500 tax credit for qualified educational staff.

“Missouri ranks dead last in the nation for starting teacher pay, and that’s compounded by the fact that most teachers have to dip into their own personal cash to provide necessary supplies for their students,” Nurrenbern said. “The governor’s pay plan offers only our lowest paid teachers a slight boost. My proposal would make a real difference for tens of thousands of educators across the state.”

Nurrenbern, a former teacher, added this measure would attract and retain talented Missouri educators. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven and other members of the Parson administration have testified that Missouri teachers have left the state at an alarming rate due in large part to a lack of support and financial incentives.

This bill also includes a continual funding stream via a proportionate share tax.

Additionally, Nurrenbern’s HB 2867 would provide a tax credit to employers who provide child care services to their employees. She says this issue is a top concern of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce because it would address a significant workforce problem — namely that women’s participation in the workforce is at the lowest point it has been in decades.

“As a mother to three young children, I understand how vital it is to have access to quality, reliable day care,” Nurrenbern said. “It makes a world of difference for working families and enables both parents to remain active in the work force. We ought to incentivize businesses to provide this incredibly important resource for Missouri workers, not only to show we prioritize families, but our workforce shortage as well.”