Missouri to vote on a childcare property tax exemption

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) -- On August 6th, Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would exempt child care facilities from paying property taxes.

Dyanne Dillon is a lead teacher at Lion Cub Academy in Joplin. She says that she hopes that this will create more affordable childcare facilities and help minimize the care shortage.

"There is a child care desert in Missouri, and there's a huge need for infant child care. It's greatly lacking. Affordable is also an issue because child care is expensive", said Dillon.

Kimberly Matejcek is a mother of three. She says finding a daycare for her nine month old is extremely difficult.

“Were actually on two different waiting lists, trying to see if we can even get him in anywhere in in a family, at least with this economy right now, we are having to both parents have to work, at least in our family household," Matejcek.

She says that the childcare shortage put her and her husband in a predicament where they had to adjust their work schedules to be home.

"I had to make considerations and my job, thank goodness they were able to work with me, but I know all families aren't like that, that the job might not be able to make that exception”, said Matejcek.

She hopes that a tax exemption would benefit the children by allowing the daycare facilities to have more money left over to upgrade their facilities.