STATE:

Why NFIB

Take Action

Get Support

Stay Informed

Podcast Podcast

Careers Careers

Join Now

Home / News /

LISTEN: ‘We’ve Got a Childcare Crisis in This State’

January 16, 2024 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

‘There are folks out there who are not in the employment pool because economically, they’ve got to stay home.’

LISTEN: ‘We’ve Got a Childcare Crisis in This State’

In a conversation with Cape Girardeau’s Faune Riggin on 960-KZIM, NFIB State Director Brad Jones highlighted the latest findings of the Small Business Economic Trends report and what issues Main Street hopes the General Assembly will address, including workforce development and access to childcare. “We’ve still got 40 percent of our membership that have job openings they can’t fill. So we’ve still got inflation that’s a little bit higher than anybody wants, and it’s just really, really difficult with unemployment being so low in finding somebody to take those jobs.” Jones continued, highlighting a bill introduced by Rep. Brenda Shields that would provide greater access to affordable childcare. Jones noted that with more childcare, non-working parents could re-join the workforce. “We’ve got a childcare crisis in this state,” Jones said. “We’ve got a lot of non-working parents that are having to stay home because they cannot find any place or afford childcare for their kids. […] Rep. Shields has got a bill, HB 1488. It was heard in committee and will be voted out this week. […] It provides some incentives for both employees, for the parents, for the employers, and for the childcare facilities themselves. We’re going to take another run at that this year. I think that there are folks out there who are not in the employment pool because economically, they’ve got to stay home.” CLICK HERE for the full interview.

Topics:

Taxes

State:

Missouri

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

June 24, 2026

Vermont School Governance Reform and Property Tax Relief

Next steps in school governance reform will impact future property tax bills.

June 24, 2026

Illinois Department of Revenue Proposes Revised Sales & Use Tax Rules

Proposed rulemaking deals with “destination sourced” sales in Illinois

Split-screen live news: female anchor left, man in vest right; economy alert banner and stock ticker visible at bottom.

June 23, 2026

West Virginia Small Business Owner Joins NewsNation to Discuss 20% Small Business Deduction

Watch NFIB Michael Ervin on NewsNation.

June 22, 2026

VIDEO: On NewsNation, NFIB Member Discusses How 20% Small Business Deduction Has Provided Certainty For Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 22, 2026) – West Virginia small business owner and NFIB member Michael Ervin joined Markie Martin on NewsNation Thursday to discuss the …

LISTEN: ‘We’ve Got a Childcare Crisis in This State’

Related Articles