West Virginians can be proud that our legislature passed family-friendly legislation to increase tax credits for employers providing childcare for children of employees. House Bill 4191 became law last week when Governor Morrissy did not veto it — but did not sign it.

At the same time last week President Trump said that the United States should not consider providing childcare when the nation must pay for warfare in Iran. The president’s shortsighted value system does not bode well for our future.

This legislation will potentially help to increase the workforce in West Virginia by opening better financial options for young families and providing employment opportunities for single parents. This law was first proposed in the 2024 legislative session, and the tax credits will go into effect in July 2026.

When parents can take their children to daycare where they work, there is less absenteeism for workers and less anxiety about childcare options. Becoming a family friendly state by improving childcare and education is necessary if West Virginia hopes to slow the pattern of population decline that has been so serious for decades.

West Virginia has lost population constantly for the last 50 years, and demographers predict that our population decline will continue in the foreseeable future.

Because we have more adults over 65 than children under 18. Most politicians want to keep retired voters happy, and they do not take the needs of the workforce seriously.

The inability of young adults in the West Virginia workforce to pay their bills is making life impossible for young families. We now have over 6,000 children in foster care; although, their parents are still alive in many cases.

Some children have been removed from their homes because their parents cannot pay the light bill or have become involved in illegal drug deals and landed in jail.

Addiction, depression, and incarceration plague too many young parents who should be working but cannot get the childcare or transportation they need in WV. Concerned social workers will tell you that “poverty is not a crime.”

However, poverty is a sign that the dominant social class is not paying attention to the financial need of young families.

I am glad that House Bill 4191 became law last week with or without support from Governor Morrissey. West Virginia families need help with better child care.