Ongoing Child Care Crisis: Bridging the Political Divide
What to do about the Childcare Crisis has been a very controversial topic in the State Government. Governor Evers set aside 15 million Dollars in the state’s budget to support Child Care providers. However, the republicans on the joint finance committee have refused to release the funds.
Mary Felzkowski and fellow Republicans on the Joint finance committee argue that continuing Child Care Counts is essentially more of a temporary band aid to the problem verses an overall solution.
“We’re not going to release money for Child Care Counts,” said Felzkowski.
Senate Candidate Andi Rich argues that child care providers are already struggling, without continued Child Care Counts funding the Wisconsin Child Care industry doesn’t stand a chance.
“The century foundation did a report and the economic impacts to the state are a half a billion dollars if we don’t bolster this childcare funding and these programs go under,” said Rich.
“Child Care Counts is a subsidy to existing child care centers to try to lower the cost of childcare for the centers that already exist. But we’ve shown is childcare counts and what the governor is proposing does not create any new childcare centers and does not create any new slots for childcare. So, if the goal is to increase capacity it falls 100% short of that,” said Felzkowski.
“You’re putting so many people in a difficult situation. They barley have the money to keep the doors open now and so, realistically what the effects of that would be is, would you take a pay cut to do the same job? That’s kind of what they’re facing because that’s where that money to pay and incentivize those employees to come in is coming from. They can’t make it without that and I don’t think as a state we can afford not to,” said Rich.
Felzkowski said she was disappointed that Governor Evers Vetoed the PALS program- as studies conducted over the last 2 years have shown that it expanded areas of growth in the child care industry.
“Through the PALs account that we put out there we increased 351 slots across northern Wisconsin, so we had increased PALS by 15 million which he vetoed. We could have a new 2,000 slots the way that it was working,” said Felzkowski. “Under the Child Care Counts that the Governor is proposing we would be subsidizing day cares and people that have their children in daycare no matter what their income is. Maybe its two doctors, I would be subsidizing people who can more than afford their day care as well as people that are very low income.”
“What about that family that chooses to stay home,” said Felzkowski. “We’re taking their tax dollars to subsidize child care.”
“Without Childcare counts you are looking at 2,100 cut, 4,800 positions in childcare cut and 87,000 children without childcare. So that’s how much this program is affecting Wisconsin right now so I just can’t for the life of me, make it make sense,” said Rich.
Felzowski said there is such a laser focus on child care being one of the biggest cost drivers amongst families but its inflation as a whole that has caused the devastation, stating they are purely consequences of decisions made by democratic policies at the federal level under the Biden administration.
“So, if you weren’t spending 50% more on groceries, would childcare be easier to afford in your budget?” Asked Felzkowski. “I think that because of all the other financial pressures the cost of childcare is even more exasperated, I mean look at what you’re paying at the pump, look at what you’re paying for your mortgage or at the grocery store. So, all of that added on its even exasperated out the cost of child care.”
SHAUNA (in video) – Absolutely but we need childcare, to work, or we cant pay for any of the rest of those costs, and I think that’s why it’s so highlights right now because it is hard in general to make ends meet for families and child care is the only stepping stone between can I even work or do I have to stay home?
“I think one of the things were going to see I think wages are going to have to go up to offset the costs of child care because if we seen an exodus from the labor market, wages will have to go up to compensate that,” said Felzkowski.
“Everybody knows what its like to work somewhere that’s understaffed right, that’s something everybody can relate too. And so, if you’re looking at 87,000 children without childcare without this act, you think the shortage is bad now,” said Rich.
Felzkowski said the counter proposals that have been made may not have been entirely the correct solution , but neither is Child Care Counts. She said there are enough people who are cogently that something needs to be done, but neither side has the right answer yet.
“I don’t think childcare counts is the right idea and the Governor is passionate on it and he’s passionate on children in schools and I love him for that passion. Our side wants to give parents the money and let you spend it for whatever stage your children are in, and I think I like that idea, but I don’t think either side has it right yet, I think we need to have more conversations around it, I just don’t think either side has it right yet,” said Felzkowski.
This series has generated a lot of responses from viewers asking how to take action in the current Child Care Crisis. Advocates encourage you to reach out to your local representatives or write a letter to your legislators explaining how losing your child care centers or even your employers would affect you.