ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House today considered the combined Omnibus Health and Human Services and Transportation finance bill. Other than a small child care training credit and compliance with a federal block grant program, the bill did little to address the high cost of child care in the state, increase access or availability, or support providers who struggle with low reimbursement rates.
Rep. Peggy Flanagan (DFL – St. Louis Park) released the following statement:
“Throughout Minnesota, a lack of affordable child care is a crisis, and remains in the way of many families finding a brighter future. I’ve appreciated the work some of my colleagues have attempted to do on this issue – through statewide meetings, a task force, and a subcommittee focused on the topic. But it’s not enough to just talk about this crisis as Republicans have done throughout my entire time in the Legislature. We need to come together and make the necessary investments so a lack of child care is never a barrier for families in Minnesota.
“There’s no telling exactly how much economic opportunity has been lost simply due to the inability of many to access affordable child care. In addition to investments in areas like the Child Care Assistance Program, there is common-sense regulatory streamlining I’m confident we can find consensus around. The severity of this crisis will require bold problem solving, and Minnesota families deserve much better than what they are getting from Republicans in this bill.”
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