MADISON, Wis. – Today, a Republican-controlled state Senate committee held a public hearing on a progressive-led workforce package that would bolster local economies and provide real solutions to issues facing Wisconsin families and local businesses.
The bill would support affordable child care, comprehensive paid leave, and more – and would be made possible by our state’s $4 billion budget surplus that Republicans are currently letting sit unused at the Capitol, where it isn’t helping any of us.
A variety of working parents, child care providers, and others impacted by Wisconsin’s workforce challenges spoke in favor of the bill, though it was clear that Republican committee members did not take their constituents seriously today.
“It was incredibly disappointing to watch Republicans still not take action, despite hearing from droves of hardworking Wisconsinites, who took time out of their workday to speak with legislators on a widely supported solution to an issue that for many Wisconsin families is a dire situation,” said Chris Walloch, executive director of A Better Wisconsin Together.
With the expiration of pandemic related federal support for child care, experts report that nearly 90,000 Wisconsin kids are expected to lose their child care, over 2,000 child care programs could close, and almost 5,000 care workers might lose their jobs if our lawmakers do not take swift action.
Additional data shows that while a majority (73%) of Wisconsin voters support requiring businesses to provide paid family leave for their workers, more than 77% of Wisconsinites do not have access to paid leave through their employers.
“State Republicans have had several chances now to take action on real solutions to Wisconsin’s workforce challenges, and have obstructed at every turn,” said Walloch. “It’s time they do right by hardworking Wisconsin families and support this workforce package.”
Call your legislator today at 1-800-362-9472 and demand they support real solutions to issues facing Wisconsin families.
