Skip to content

Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care

Advocates in Travis County, TX, won a ballot measure in 2024 that will provide more than $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
Group from the community holding up signs together that say Affordable Childcare Now.
Photo Credit: United Way for Greater Austin

Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care

On November 5, 2024, Travis County voters approved a ballot initiative to increase property taxes by 2.5 cents for every $100 of assessed value and use the funds to provide access to affordable and high-quality child care, after-school, and summer programs for children in low-income families. With this win, Travis County became the first Texas county to pass a voter-approved children’s fund. The measure will raise more than $75 million per year in perpetuity to expand access to quality child care for families earning up to 85% of the median family income in Travis County, boost wages for child care providers, and create a business-government partnership to encourage employers to offer child care stipends.