MADISON (WKOW) — Child care workers from across Wisconsin gathered on the State Capitol steps Tuesday for the ‘State Without Child Care’ rally.
They’re fighting for the $480 million Gov. Tony Evers proposed to fund child care for the next two years. Last Thursday, state Republicans voted against this.
Among them are Joint Finance Committee co-chairs Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam).
“I’ve been in business for 18 years and how dare Senator Marklein and Representative Born dictate when I retire,” said Corrine Hendrickson. She owns Corrine’s Little Explorers daycare and is the co-founder of Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed (WECAN).
Both legislators addressed the rally in separate statements:
“I understand the problems facing parents who rely on child care. I am committed to making child care more accessible and affordable to parents who need it.
When this topic is being discussed I think it is important to ask how much money should taxpayers be providing the child care industry and where does that money go? Under Child Care Counts, taxpayer money is paid directly to providers in hopes that they will keep their rates down. The Legislature believes that money is best spent in the hands of parents or increasing the availability of slots.
My colleagues and I will continue to take action on child care in the state budget and throughout the legislative session. We will take a multifaceted approach that will aim to make structural and sustainable reforms to the industry.”
– Sen. Howard Marklein
“Legislative Republicans have consistently supported a targeted approach to helping families afford child care, build provider capacity, and support recruitment of child care professionals. You can see evidence of our support in the almost $1 billion we spend currently for childcare. Parents are best equipped to make decisions about the needs of their children and Legislative Republicans are committed to providing parents with options, helping families directly make childcare more affordable.”
– Rep. Mark Born
At the rally, protesters said if change doesn’t happen soon, they won’t be around to voice input in the next budget or other legislation. Instead, the doors to their child care centers will be closed — some say as soon as this fall.
For Katie Steiber, she’s sending a message by shutting her child care center doors — herself.
“The number one reaction we’ve gotten to the strike is that it’s inconvenient, and unfortunately, that’s the purpose, that we need people to be inconvenienced,” said Steiber.
Providers are advocating to keep pay at $13 an hour. Steiber said this is one of the many reasons why people are not incentivized to join the profession, contributing to a top issue right now: a shortage of child care teachers.
“My staff could go literally anywhere in town and make more money,” said Steiber.
Like many others, Steiber looked for a way to bump up pay herself, but as she found out, it’s just not sustainable.
“To increase our wages just to $16 an hour. Just $16, that’s not a lot, but just to $16 an hour for people with an education in early childhood education, and the funding goes away, our rates could easily go up to $430 a week,” said Steiber. “And as a family, what would that mean for you? It would mean you’re not taking your kid to daycare.”
Protestors stayed at the Capitol all day Tuesday hoping for a chance to speak with legislators about their demands. They said if any sort of progress is not made, they would be back Wednesday.