May 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Where do you stand?
Where do you stand - return tax dollars to Wisconsin's wealthiest or invest some surplus for Child Care in 2023-25 Budget where today's childcare can cost more than a year of public college tuition?
Since Covid, federal Child Care Counts funding helped parents bear costs via vouchers, get off waiting lists for openings, and help providers with staff pay. That funding will be reduced by half this month and continue to be reduced until totally ending in December.
If Senator Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Rob Swearingen refuse to invest in our children's care with budget funding, "Now Hiring" or "Help Wanted" signs will sprout like weeds in the Northwoods. As one provider said, "If I have to start taking money away in my staff's paychecks and/or adding $25 per week to tuition, I will have people walking."
The mandated child-to-staff ratio is tied directly to how many children a center can serve. Connect the dots: fewer staff or children equals more signs begging for workers. Child Care funding would not only continue to keep centers open, parents working, and help providers maintain current staff levels but it would also be a fiscally responsible investment for growth. The continued drum beat for tax cuts has never proven to trickle up. Just think of employment and training for 500 unemployed and underemployed eager to work in childcare and education. Imagine support for businesses willing to develop childcare centers for their employees.
If Northwoods families really matter to all of us, Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Rob Swearingen need to hear from all of us now. (608-266-2509 and 608-266-7141 respectively).
Kay L. Hoff
Lac du Flambeau
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