MADISON–Earlier this morning, Governor Evers held a press conference at the Tiny Green Trees Nature Based Childcare and Forest School in Milwaukee to call for a special session of the legislature to address the state’s workforce challenges. Included in this legislation is $1B in investments in Paid Family Leave, higher education, healthcare and education workforces, and Child Care Counts, which will reduce the burden of the high cost of childcare for Wisconsin families. Governor Evers was joined by local elected officials and legislators, including Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), who released the following statement:
“I have heard deep concern from constituents across my district as they stare down the childcare cliff, and so I was so thrilled to join Governor Evers today alongside one of these passionate voices–a local Wauwatosa mom who has spoken up on behalf of what Wisconsin parents need and deserve–affordable childcare! Child Care Counts funding is important because once we go off the cliff, it’s going to be very hard–maybe even impossible–to rebuild childcare infrastructure. The warnings are there’s no coming back.
“‘This isn’t liberal versus conservative, it affects everyone’, a West Allis constituent said to me recently. She’s right! Access to affordable childcare shouldn’t be partisan. I invite my Republican colleagues to please join us in doing what we can at the State of Wisconsin to support our constituents and their need for affordable childcare and paid family leave.
“Wisconsin families are a critical players in the Wisconsin workforce, and childcare centers are the workforce behind the workforce. Governor Evers has called us into a Special Session in September to address Paid Family Leave, higher education, healthcare and education workforces, and Child Care Counts. We must show up, and we must act–Wisconsin families are counting on us. Forward, together.”
