MADISON – Today, during the national “A Day Without Child Care,” Madison-area Democrats called on their Republican colleagues to join them in support of continued state funding for the Child Care Counts program. ”A Day Without Child Care” is a national day of action highlighting the importance of child care workers on our economy and on our communities. With the average cost of infant care soaring over $11,000 annually in Wisconsin and 54% of Wisconsinites living in a childcare desert with few to no quality childcare options, it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to find affordable childcare.
“Today, we stand with child care providers and the working families who depend on them,” said Representative Subeck. “I have been hearing from families struggling to find care and from employers who cannot fill positions because potential hires do not have access to affordable child care. Without affordable, high-quality childcare, the rest of our economy suffers.”
During the pandemic, Governor Evers used federal funds to create the Child Care Counts program in order to ensure providers could keep their doors open and parents could get to work. With those funds set to run out, the governor has proposed a permanent $340 million investment in the program, extending the program to help child care providers keep their doors open.
“Wisconsin now faces a child care crisis with providers struggling to maintain financial stability, offer competitive wages to recruit and retain teachers, and continue providing high quality care,” said Rep. Subeck, “We are calling upon our Republican colleagues to join us in supporting working families in need of child care by funding Child Care Counts.”
Rep. Subeck has represented the 78th Assembly District since 2015 and serves as Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.