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Justice said he felt ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œhopefulÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� that ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œat leastÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� an additional 5% cut to the personal income tax could be achieved, citing a budget surplus.

The governor also shed light on how he intends to address child care funding, confirming he plans to reintroduce the child care tax credit measure originally presented during this yearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s regular session.

According to information from the governorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s website regarding the proposed during the regular session, it wouldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve created a state tax credit equal to 50% of the allowable federal child and dependent care credit. The maximum child care credit ranged from $300 to $525 for one child and from $600 to $1,050 for two or more children, depending on amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred and income level. That proposed tax credit wouldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve affected over 16,000 families, according to the GovernorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Office in January.

A attached to the bill reported its implementation would result in an approximately $4.2 million decrease to the stateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s general revenue fund.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think we just kind of ran out of time (during regular session) and I hope to goodness we can get this across the finish line,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Justice said Wednesday, adding he plans to propose a new grant program to help fund the tax cut.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe do have a dilemma in this nation in regard to childcare, we all know it, weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to find a way to be able to help our working families if we can,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Justice said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œRight now, we can. LetÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s try to help.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Legislative leaders earlier this week said they would be open to considering the governorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s proposals but need more details on the tax cuts before committing to their passage.