Gov. Evers’ draws a line in the sand on the Wisconsin budget

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says he will not sign a Wisconsin budget bill if Republicans in the Legislature don’t include funding for a program that addresses the state’s shortage of affordable childcare.

During the pandemic, Evers steered some federal relief money into a program called Child Care Counts, which kept providers’ doors open for essential workers. With federal money expiring but the program a proven success, Evers wants to keep it going with state funds. Republicans, however, have consistently refused even though it’s one of the most talked-about issues at budget hearings. Now Evers is drawing a line in the sand and demanding it be funded.

GOP lawmakers want to replace direct provider support with tax credits for parents and looser regulations on class sizes and caregiver qualifications. Providers like Corrine Hendrickson says those are steps in the wrong direction. A study showed up to one-quarter of childcare providers in the state could go out of business without Child Care Counts, making it an important step in economic development.