Madison, WI. — Thursday, Wisconsin Democrats introduced legislation to provide investment for Wisconsin’s child care programs. Representative Lee Snodgrass (D- Appleton) made the following statement:

“The Child Care Counts program has been a lifeline for providers and families alike. Without it, we face widespread closures, increased tuition, and longer waitlists. We’re already seeing closures and cut backs in the Fox Valley as providers anticipate the Child Care Counts dollars sunsetting at the end of June.

“Make no mistake, this is a policy failure fueled by WI Republicans’ failure to act. Since 2007, more than half of Wisconsin’s child care providers have closed, and over half of the state is now a child care desert.

“In a time of growing economic uncertainty, we can and must do better by our children, families, and communities. It is time to invest in our future and invest in Child Care Counts and the passage of this bill we introduced today would make that a reality.”