Dating back to last state legislative session in 2023, the Fort Worth Chamber has supported a policy proposal that would provide property tax relief to qualified child care centers across Tarrant County. Beginning as SJR 64, the bill passed with widespread bipartisan support in the Texas Senate and Texas House, setting up a constitutional amendment ballot proposition this past November.
Ahead of the November constitutional amendment election, Fort Worth Chamber CEO Steve Montgomery authored a joint op-ed with other Tarrant County business leaders encouraging voters to support Proposition 2. Texas voters supported the measure with 65% of the vote, allowing cities and counties to then decide for themselves whether or not to enact the property tax relief.
In May, the Fort Worth City Council adopted a resolution exempting 100% of the value of qualified child care centers from City property taxes. In June, Tarrant County followed suit by exempting 50% of qualified child care centers’ property values from County property taxes.
While not a fix-all solution to child care affordability, it is a step in the right direction supporting not just low cost care for children and their families, but supporting working parents in search of affordable options. The Fort Worth Chamber will continue support education and workforce initiatives that enhance the quality of our are workforce, and commend the City and County for supporting this measure.
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