Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.
I’ve spent my entire career fighting for Wisconsin’s kids because I’ve always believed that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state.
And I’ve made investing in the state’s child care industry to help fill available child care slots, cut child care waitlists, and lower the cost of care for working families a top priority for my administration.
So, I was proud to declare 2025 the Year of the Kid in Wisconsin and to sign our bipartisan, pro-kid budget that invests more than $360 million in the state’s child care industry.
And when Republican lawmakers said this budget would not include any direct payments to child care providers to help stabilize the industry, I made it clear I would not sign a budget without it.
So, I’m proud that we secured $110 million of this investment for direct payments to child care providers.
And, this week, we’re excited the first round of that funding is going out the door to prevent any gaps in payments with the end of the successful Child Care Counts Program.
Thanks to the hard work of the folks at DCF, more than 3,000 providers across the state will be receiving $8.7 million to keep their doors open and lights on.
Folks, our workforce and economy can’t afford more parents leaving their jobs because they can’t afford child care.
In 2025 the Year of the Kid, ensuring we do what’s best for Wisconsin kids and the folks and families who raise them is as important as ever.
So, our work is not over. We’ve got a heck of a lot more to do if we want to see the long-term sustainability of our child care industry—and that work continues in earnest.
Thank you.
