MADISON, Wis. — In the early hours of June 16, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee voted to end Governor Evers’ essential Child Care Counts program, which has helped child care providers and working families alike in keeping child care in Wisconsin affordable and accessible.
Rep. Neubauer released the following statement in response:
“Our job as legislators is to create opportunities for our state to thrive. We all know that without the continuation of the Child Care Counts program, countless providers will close, but GOP Legislators have chosen to completely ignore the realities of the child care market. By cutting this funding from Governor Evers’ budget, they have abandoned Wisconsin families to fend for themselves.
“The votes from the Joint Finance Committee over the past few weeks show that they have no plan to invest in the people of Wisconsin and remove the barriers that many are experiencing to enter the workforce. They have shown that they are content with stagnant population growth and our young people moving to other states with better opportunities.
“It’s clear that without help from the state, the child care market in Wisconsin will begin to collapse, putting working families’ livelihoods in jeopardy. In no uncertain terms, this is a complete failure on the part of JFC Republicans.
“This is a reckless and deeply irresponsible decision, and it is a slap to the face to child care providers who work every day to make sure that our next generation of leaders have what they need to succeed. The choice to not fund this crucial program will have detrimental effects that will be felt all over the state for years to come.
“Democrats will not stop in our pursuit to provide every Wisconsinite the support they need to succeed at every stage in life – this work is not done and neither are we.”
