AUSTIN, Texas — This November, Travis County voters will decide whether to approve spending money on a plan to make child care more affordable.
County commissioners on Tuesday voted to put the proposal on the November ballot. If it passes, county leaders say it could help with child care and after-school costs.
The measure would increase property taxes by 2.5 cents per $100 valuation. County leaders say that comes out to about $10 more per month for the average Travis County resident and would generate $75 million annually.
Travis County officials say the average family pays about $13,000 a year for child care.
“[It will] help people who are under a certain income level get either free or reduced-priced child care – and that means, not only that part of it, but the fact that there are just not enough child care providers in Travis County," Travis County Judge Andy Brown said.
Moriah Perez, a single mother, said while she does get some state assistance, current child care costs are very expensive.
"It's equivalent to rent nowadays, and just being able to pay rent is hard within itself," Perez said.
She said she is in favor of the proposal.
"Making sure your children are safe while you are are at work and not being able to worry about, 'How am I going to get my child taken care of so I can go to work?'" Perez said.
The proposal will be on the Nov. 5 ballot. Texans have until Oct. 7 to register to vote.