ӣ����Ƶ

The House voted 120-34 in support of a package of tax credits that could stabilize the industry. Most of the opponents were Republicans, who hold a majority in the chamber.

“It allows communities to develop the child care they need, not governments,” said Rep. Brenda Shields, a St. Joseph Republican who sponsored the measure.

In one of his first acts as governor, Kehoe issued an executive order calling on state school officials “to improve the state regulatory environment for child care facilities and homes.”

Shields’ legislation heads to the Senate for further debate. A similar bill approved in the House last year did not advance amid dysfunction in the upper chamber.

The multi-pronged push to expand child care comes as business groups say Missouri’s economy loses an estimated $1.35 billion annually — including $280 million in lost tax revenue — because of a lack of affordable child care.

Shields’ legislation would allow tax credits for contributions that support child care programs, spending by businesses to create child care programs for their employees, and investment in expansion by existing or new providers.

would add a tax credit allowing those who donate to child care providers to receive a credit equal to 75% of their donation, up to $200,000 in tax credits.

An employer-provided child care credit would encourage partnerships between providers and businesses whose employees need child care, by allowing employers to receive tax credits equivalent to 30% of qualifying expenditures.

Another tax credit could help providers expand or renovate their facilities.

The credits are capped at $20 million each.

Supporters said boosting child care offerings is as important for economic growth as having roads and adequate utilities.

“It absolutely is an economic issue,” said Rep. Sheri Gallick, R-Belton.

Rep. Bryant Wolfin, R-St. Genevieve, voted against it. He said the measure is unlikely to address licensing regulations facing child care providers.

“We don’t need a complicated tax scheme to make child care more affordable,” Wolfin said. “We need to let the free market do what it does best.”

The House also approved House Bill 850 on a unanimous vote, which would allow the state to grant temporary child care licenses to facilities if they meet certain thresholds.

The temporary licenses would be valid for up to 12 months.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Wendy Hausman, R-St. Peters, would require recipients to have already been in business for at least 13 months.

In other measures, the House voted 155-0 to prohibit pregnancy status from preventing a divorce or legal separation.

Supporters said the change will end the practice of women being stuck in violent marriages to risk their lives for the duration of a pregnancy simply because of an archaic law.

Under the current state law, there are eight questions asked of people when they file for divorce in Missouri, including whether “the wife is pregnant.” If so, the divorce can continue if the attorney chooses but it cannot be finalized until the woman is no longer pregnant.

House Bill 243 now goes to the Senate.

The House also voted 151-2 to allow some motorists to register their vehicles for five years, up from the current maximum of two years.

, sponsored by state Rep. Bob Bromley, R-Carl Junction, would allow owners of vehicles with a model year less than 6 years old to obtain the new five-year tag.