By John Cullen and Peter J. Holt
Child care is the small, silent engine that drives Texas businesses. It is as simple as this: if our young can’t access quality child care, much of the Texas workforce can’t return to work. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the essential role child care plays in our economy it is the overlooked sector that makes all other work possible.
With a billion-dollar infusion by the federal government dedicated to child care, we now have a unique opportunity. First, to ensure that necessary child care locations are open so families can return to work, and second, to enhance the quality of that early learning and care.
Commentary: Quality child care now within Texas grasp
John Cullen and Peter J. Holt, For the Express-News
March 10, 2021
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A teacher works with a child at the YMCA Labor Child Care Center in April. Child care centers have been hit hard by the pandemic, but the state now has the opportunity to invest in and transform early learning with federal dollars and state legislative action.Kin Man Hui /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
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The Biden Administration has included child care in its COVID-19 recovery plan. States should spend their funds with accountability and defined outcomes.Ted S. Warren /Associated PressShow MoreShow Less
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Winners and losers: Texas House Speaker shakes up chamber’s leadership with emphasis on new faces
Veteran lawmakers lost leadership positions as Speaker Dade Phelan looked for ‘fresh perspectives’
State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.(Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune)
AUSTIN House Speaker Dade Phelan shook up the chamber’s leadership Thursday as he announced committee assignments that replaced veteran lawmakers in important positions and appointed 12 members to lead committees for the first time.
“The House stands to benefit from members assuming new roles and responsibilities and the fresh perspectives these appointments provide,” Phelan said in a statement. “I have utmost confidence that each of these appointees will excel in the positions they’ve been selected for.”
Updated: 6:30 AM CST February 5, 2021
DALLAS As the school year and pandemic continues, districts are left wondering whether their budget will be tied to student attendance due to the fate of a hold harmless agreement.
Last year, a “hold harmless” agreement was put into place by the Texas Education Agency to keep funding at pre-pandemic levels.
Overall, attendance across the state is down 3% from October 2019 to October 2020. That equals out to 156,596 fewer students, according to the TEA.
School districts still don’t know if their budgets will be tied to the past school year’s attendance or if the grace period will be extended. That could be the difference between possible budget cuts or keeping funding at the same level.