Perspective

Child care gaps cost Missouri $869 million annually, MU Extension research finds

ST. LOUIS — Analysis from University of Missouri Extension reveals that Missouri loses an estimated $869 million annually due to child care shortages. This includes $723 million in employer costs from absentee workers and turnover along with $146 million in tax revenue that would otherwise be collected to support state and local economies.

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Addressing public safety concerns

I’m happy to speak with you again and discuss a bill currently working its way through the Senate - House Bill 495. This public safety bill is making it through the Senate, having already received its public hearing and been voted out of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee and is now being reviewed by Fiscal Oversight Committee. It has various provisions to help curb illegal immigration, allow for police assistance from neighboring states and prevent stunt driving, among other provisions.

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