MADISON — Today, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) had the opportunity to make meaningful investments that would help Wisconsin grow and continue to be a place that people want to raise a family. However, Republicans once again rejected the chance to do what’s right for working families across our state.
After today’s executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Finance Committee issued the following statement:
“As members of JFC, we should be supporting working families, not slashing funding at every turn. Wisconsinites deserve a budget that is designed around their needs. Throughout the budget process, we’ve heard from people around the state about the need for meaningful investments in child care:
“Strong investment in childcare as infrastructure is really important to me, and, I know, to other people who want to live in vibrant communities. Part of living in a vibrant community is taking care of our kids and supporting our families.” — Christie, Iowa County
“We got added to waitlists everywhere between Green Bay and Marinette, Oconto to Crivitz, with no guarantees that there would actually be a spot when we needed it.” — Alicia, Marinette County
“As a young family of 4 there is no way that our family could sustain higher daycare costs than what we are already paying. Child care costs more monthly than our mortgage.” — April, Outagamie County
“Today, JFC Democrats showed that we’ve been listening by offering a $340 million proposal that responds to the child care crisis. Republicans proved once again they aren’t interested in listening to the needs of people — even in their own communities.”
