Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly, including a local representative, are looking to ease the cost of childcare in the state.
26th District Assemblyman Joe Sheehan of Sheboygan has announced that he and his Democratic colleagues released a six-bill package aimed at lowering the costs on a variety of fronts.
Rep. Sheehan himself wrote LRB-4133, which would cap Wisconsin Shares copayments at 7% of a family’s income.
Rep. Sheehan explained, “Under current law, these copayment amounts are unpredictable and can often reach as high as 11% of a family’s income. These unpredictable costs can lead some parents to have to make the impossible decision between continuing to work or leaving their jobs to take care of their kids.”
Rep. Sheehan believes that his bill will not only make childcare prices more affordable and predictable but also keep parents at work, and in turn, strengthen the workforce.
Other bills in the package include covering the cost of training for childcare workers and educators, and expanding access to the Wisconsin Shares program to middle-class Wisconsinites.
In his announcement, Rep. Sheehan finished by saying, “Childcare should be affordable and accessible in the state, and our package seeks to make that happen.”
