MADISON, (WRN) — Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are responding to a crisis for childcare in the state.
Senator Kelda Roys of Madison says state funding is urgently needed. She says they’re sick of hearing excuses from Republicans
“$480 million is the investment that we need at a minimum to stabilize and keep our childcare industry afloat. Our kids are worth it,” Roys said.
“We’ve heard everything from parents who just stay home and drop out of the workforce because I think a lot of my colleagues don’t recognize that that is not feasible economically for the vast majority of families in the state anymore. This is not the 1950s. Parents need two incomes and that is barely enough for folks to survive.”
Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee removed over $400 million in childcare funding from Governor Tony Evers proposed state budget, and efforts to increase funding will need Republican support.