Wisconsin Legislative Democrats Introduce Child Care Counts Legislation

MADISON, WI – Today, Wisconsin Legislative Democrats introduced legislation that would fund the Child Care Counts program, which was recently cut out of the budget by Republicans on the Joint Finance committee. Currently, Republicans have offered no sustainable solution to the rising costs of child care, a challenge facing thousands of Wisconsin families. Today, and every day, Democrats are proud to stand up for Wisconsin’s kids and families, child care providers, and employers by reintroducing funding for Child Care Counts.

Senator Habush Sinykin (D-Whitefish Bay) released the following statement:

“This past week, I hosted a roundtable discussion with local Ozaukee County child care providers, parents, employers, and early childhood educators to discuss the importance of child care funding. And what I hear loud and clear is that our state must continue to support critical investments in child care for the well-being of Wisconsin families, children, local businesses, and our state’s economy as a whole. Funding the Child Care Counts program provides the financial stability needed by child care providers to keep their facilities open, pay their workers fair, competitive wages, and continue to provide high-quality care to kids across the 8th Senate District and our state.

“Regrettably, my Republican colleagues continue to ignore the obvious importance of this issue—still failing to come up with any sustainable plan that would protect our state’s child care networks from the devastating fiscal cliff facing them on June 30th. However, they cannot hide from the fact that without state investments in Child Care Counts, 25% of child care providers are likely to close their doors and even more providers will have to increase tuition rates for families. The inaction of the Republican-dominated Joint Finance Committee on this issue will create further instability for childcare providers, uncertainty for parents, and challenges for employers already struggling to recruit and retain workers.

“Child care is essential for our state’s economic growth and for the well being of Wisconsin families. The Legislature must step up and commit to a viable investment before the fiscal cliff at the end of next month.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.