Madison – Today, legislative leaders took no action on Governor Evers’ Special Session to Address the State’s Workforce Challenges. Representative Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) issued the following statement on this inaction:
“We had an opportunity today to take action on important issues that would improve the lives of workers across Wisconsin. Governor Evers brought us into a Special Session in order to take up the Child Care Counts and Paid Family Medical Leave bills, among others. I am disappointed that legislative leaders refused to debate and vote on these important proposals.
“Child care is more expensive for many working families than college tuition, according to a study by Forward Analytics. The Child Care Counts program helped providers and families by keeping prices stable and improving pay for childcare teachers. By cutting this funding, the state is putting families and childcare centers at risk. We need to continue efforts to support families and childcare centers – to make childcare more affordable while improving pay for providers.
“Wisconsin families also deserve paid family medical leave. Under the proposal Governor Evers asked us to take up today, Wisconsin workers would be eligible for 12 weeks of leave. Our state has a surplus and can afford to make this important investment. 73 percent of Wisconsin voters support requiring businesses to provide paid leave for new parents, as reported by the Marquette Law Poll. We need to work together to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents, and this would be a huge step forward.
“I will continue to work for my constituents and the state of Wisconsin to minimize workforce challenges.”
