ICYMI: Republicans on Finance Committee Still Blocking Help for Wisconsin Families

MADISON, Wis. — A Better Wisconsin Together is standing in support of Governor Evers’ recent call for Republicans who control the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to release $15 million in already approved funds to support Wisconsin’s child care infrastructure.

The $15 million would support Child Care Counts, a program that helps child care providers stay in business and ensures thousands of families can afford child care that fits their needs.

According to A Better Wisconsin Together Executive Director Chris Walloch, Republicans’ inaction on child care funding is harming working families and local small businesses alike.

“No family should have to bust their budget to afford child care that fits their needs, and those in the child care workforce deserve job security and fair wages,” said Walloch. “When working parents can access affordable child care and local facilities can stay in business, the whole economy thrives.”

Notably, this is the third time in just over a month that the governor has had to take action urging state Republicans to stop blocking funds that would help Wisconsin families thrive.

In April and again earlier this month, JFC Republicans refused to release $140 million in pre-approved funds to fight PFAS contamination in Wisconsinites’ water and to aid Wisconsinites affected by recent hospital closures in local communities.

“State Republicans’ refusal to do their jobs is costing real Wisconsin families things like child care access, clean drinking water, and life saving health care,” said Walloch. “We applaud Gov. Evers for continuing to hold these lawmakers accountable for putting their partisan antics ahead of the needs and safety of Wisconsinites.”

Contact the Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee today at 800-362-9472 and demand they get to work releasing these essential funds into our local Wisconsin communities. Republican JFC members are: Sen. Stroebel, Sen. Ballweg, Sen. Wimberger, Sen. Marklein, Sen. Testin, Sen. Felzkowski, Rep. Zimmerman, Rep. Born, Rep. Kurtz, Rep. Katsma, Rep. Rodriguez, and Rep. Dallman.