Des Moines — The Iowa Senate Democratic caucus today announced a legislative package aimed at addressing Iowa’s childcare crisis. Senators Janet Petersen and Cindy Winckler released the following statement.
“Young families in Iowa are facing a childcare crisis that’s been exasperated by the Reynolds Administration,” Sen. Janet Petersen (D-Des Moines) said. “New moms and young families need access to childcare help and the governor is sitting on a $92 million surplus in our Child Care Assistance Program. This is money set aside specifically to help expand childcare options for Iowa families and it’s sitting untouched.”
“Senate Democrats believe young Iowa families deserve more child-friendly policies in Iowa, and we are releasing legislation to help hundreds more Iowa families with their childcare bills.”
“Senate Democrats are committed to tackling Iowa’s childcare crisis with a robust package of legislation addressing rising costs and expanding accessibility around the state,” Sen. Cindy Winckler (D-Davenport) said.
The Senate Democratic package includes proposals designed to address the following persistent issues related to childcare:
- Helping Iowans afford monthly childcare expenses by expanding eligibility for state assistance to thousands of working families who do not currently qualify;
- Raise wages for childcare workers by doubling Iowa’s investment in the state’s successful Child Care Solutions Fund pilot program;
- Ensuring child parents (under the age of 18) automatically qualify for state childcare assistance, instead of relying on their parents’ income to qualify;
- Extending automatic qualification to siblings to ensure parents can continue to access childcare assistance while their family grows.
“Childcare is the biggest expense hundreds of Iowa families face each month,” Sen. Petersen said. “It even tops the price of college tuition. Our state needs to step up its game in helping young families.”
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” Sen. Winckler said. “We can work together to take meaningful action and positively impact thousands of working families and children in need of care.”