Madison, Wis – Today, Rep. Roe joined Wisconsin Legislative Democrats in introducing policies addressing issues directly impacting families, children, employers, child care providers, and communities by making childcare more affordable and accessible.
The six-bill child care package tackles the multifaceted challenges of growing costs and the accessibility crisis facing families and employers across the state. Currently, 94% of Wisconsin families spend more than the recommended 7% of their income on child care, with many paying up to 18% of household income—and in some cases more than $32,000 per year—just to cover care for their children.
The legislative package takes a comprehensive approach to significantly lowering costs and expanding access by:
- Providing child care support for the “Missing Middle” (LRB 4132)
- Capping the cost of care for families (LRB 4133)
- Expanding child care assistance for early educators (LRB 4269)
- Strengthening and growing the child care workforce (LRB 4881)
- Improving access to tribal child care (LRB 4880)
- Ensuring all caregivers are included and supported (LRB 4878)
To help keep Wisconsinites working and reduce workforce shortages, Rep. Roe authored legislation to ensure early childhood educators can access Wisconsin Shares child care assistance for their own children—regardless of income.
Rep. Roe said “As a mom, any worries regarding childcare impacts my work. This is a multifaceted problem that includes a shortage of providers putting our youngest at a disadvantage. These bills address accessibility and affordability of child care from the standpoint of families, child care providers, employers, businesses, children, and communities.”
The crisis is especially severe in rural areas. An estimated 70% of rural Wisconsin is considered a child care desert, meaning families lack reasonable access to care near where they live or work.
“As a college teacher, I could see the difference between students who had access to quality early childhood education and those who did not,” Roe added. “Every child deserves a strong start, and we cannot continue to treat tribal communities or rural families as an afterthought.”
Given the urgency of the issue, Roe criticized Legislative Republicans for failing to act.
“Legislative Republicans have neglected to address the critical importance of child care. They ignore the pleas of families and employers alike by failing to bring such impactful legislation to the floor for a vote.” Roe concluded.
