Texas Workforce Commission cut the number of children served by the federal Child Care Services program by nearly 10% in 2027 due to rising per-student costs. The cost increase stems partly from inflation and a 2021 law requiring providers to meet Texas Rising Star quality standards to receive subsidies.
Where
Statewide
When
August 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Texas Workforce Commissionadministers child care subsidy program; announced cost increase and cut enrollment
James Talaricostate representative who led House Bill 2607 through the House; now running as Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate
Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
Kim Kofrondirector of early childhood education for Children At Risk
Tim Kaminskipresident of Texas Licensed Child Care Association
Legislative Budget Boardissued report identifying reasons for cost increase
The facts
Texas Workforce Commission cut enrollment in federal Child Care Services program by nearly 10% in 2027.1
14,000 additional children will be added to waiting list for subsidies due to enrollment cut.1
Over 100,000 young children already on waiting list for child care subsidies.1
Providers qualifying for Texas Rising Star program more than doubled between 2021 and 2025.1
Nearly 2,000 new providers qualified for Texas Rising Star between 2024 and 2025.1
About 75% of all child care providers in Texas now participate in Texas Rising Star program.1
House Bill 2607 required child care programs accepting subsidized students to be qualified as Texas Rising Star.1
Prior to 2021, about 30% of Texas child care providers participated in Texas Rising Star program.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
James Talarico campaign promised to improve child care access and affordability including nationwide universal child care.1
James Talarico campaign cited his work to improve quality, safety and cost of child care in Texas.1
Kim Kofron HB 2607 ensured lowest-income subsidy-receiving children are in high-quality programs.1
Tim Kaminski lawmakers knew in 2021 that program would face this financial crisis but did not address it.1
Where the sources disagree
whether 2021 bill improved child care without adequate funding Talarico's campaign says it improved quality and gave parents control [1]; child care industry president says lawmakers knew it would cause a crisis but did nothing [1]
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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