Democrats Call on Joint Finance to Fund $340 Million Child Care Counts Proposal Print
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Written by Melissa Agard Press   
Friday, 05 May 2023 14:35

agard-neubauer-child-care-2023Leaders calling Friday on the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to maintain Governor Evers’ $340 million investment proposal in the Child Care Counts program.


MADISON – On Monday, May 8, we recognize ‘A Day without Child Care’ to highlight the significant role of child care providers in our communities and for our economy. Earlier this year, Senator Agard and Representative Neubauer spearheaded a statewide campaign to gather support for fully funding the Child Care Counts program in the 2023-25 state budget. Today, they delivered a list of more than 3,100 petition signees to Republican leaders and members of the Joint Finance Committee. The list of signees include child care providers and workers, parents, guardians, business and community leaders, and concerned citizens from throughout the state.

childcareTo date, this program has sent monthly payments to over 3,300 providers in Wisconsin to stay open, recruit and retain qualified staff, and provide care to over 113,000 children statewide.

Senator Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement:

melissa-agard“We know how critical Child Care Counts funding is to providers, families, businesses, and the overall well-being of our economy. Child care providers are the backbone to Wisconsin’s workforce, and the people of Wisconsin agree. With over 3,100 people signing the Child Care Counts petition, there is no doubt that the child care industry has widespread support from a coalition of diverse individuals throughout the state.

“We are calling on the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to maintain Governor Evers’ $340 million investment proposal in the Child Care Counts program. If Child Care Counts funding is not approved, there will be catastrophic ramifications for working families. We know that in absence of its approval in the state budget, 25% of Wisconsin providers said that they would close permanently, 60% of providers indicated they would have to raise tuition, and others said they would have to cut wages for already underpaid workers.

“Democrats are working for Wisconsin, and we know that access to affordable, quality childcare is critical for the well-being of working families.”

Last Updated on Saturday, 06 May 2023 10:00