MADISON — Wisconsin Republicans on Friday proposed a series of workforce and childcare reforms aimed at helping the state’s working families.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said his caucus would address Wisconsin’s childcare shortage by expanding tax credits and implementing reforms in occupational licensure and welfare programs.
The proposal comes in response to Governor Evers’ Special Session call. In a Special Session, lawmakers must convene but they are not required to pass legislation.
Earlier this Fall, Evers called a Special Session to address a series of workforce issues, primarily focused on the rising cost of child care. However, Evers plan includes direct state subsidies of child care centers, which has been something Republican lawmakers warned could be abused and would not address the costs to consumers.
The main focus of LeMahieu’s Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to the Governor’s bill is an emphasis on Wisconsin’s childcare industry.
For years the industry has been struggling with staff shortages and rising costs for the care provided. Senate Republicans now propose an expansion of the ‘Child Care and Dependent tax credit’ to provide substantial relief for families facing rising childcare costs.
LeMahieu emphasized the immediate impact such changes would make.
“Under this plan, a family of four with two children in childcare could earn a total tax credit of up to $5,200. This offsets almost a quarter of their average childcare expenses,” said LeMahieu.
The Senate Majority leader is also proposing a broader middle class tax cut would further help all families, regardless of if they are incurring child care costs.
“The average Wisconsin family would receive an additional $600 tax cut. Every Wisconsinite making $27,630 or more would see a reduction in their tax bill,” LeMahieu said.
Republicans would also expand the ‘Provider Assistance for Licensure’ program statewide. That program has already created hundreds of new child care slots in Western and Northern Wisconsin.
The leader of the Senate Republicans said he’s hopeful the plan would earn the support of the Democratic Governor.
“Governor Evers has said that he would provide tax relief for the middle class in exchange for state-level investments in the child care industry. We hope he keeps his word,” LeMahieu said.
The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as Tuesday.
For more information, see: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/09/lemahieu/
