Bill Calls on Employers to Provide Childcare

Two competing childcare bills in the state House claim to have a solution to the childcare crisis. This week, we spoke to each of the bill's sponsors. Rep. Alicia Rule's [D-Blaine] HB 1716 would establish a Business and Occupation tax rebate for employers who provide childcare assistance to employees. It has bi-partisan support, but also a number of critics. HB 2322 from Rep. Tana Senn [D-Mercer Island], would require employers who receive preferential tax incentives from the state to provide childcare on-site or pay at least 25-percent of childcare costs for an employee.