MADISON, Wis. — This morning, Representative Johnson (D-Town of Shelby) and Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) along with their Democratic legislative colleagues unveiled the Child Care Counts Bill. This legislation invests $440 million in Child Care Counts, a statewide program under the Department of Children and Families giving monthly stabilization payments to eligible child care providers.
The 96th Assembly District is a child care desert, with over three children for every regulated child care slot. From November 2021 to December 2024, the Child Care Counts program has brought nearly $3.8 million into our district — support that has helped prevent provider closures and tuition increases.
Federal funds for the Child Care Counts program will run out in June, creating a looming fiscal crisis in the child care industry. Governor Evers initially proposed the $440 million investment in his 2025-27 biennium budget proposal, but Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee stripped it from the budget earlier this month.
Johnson released this statement following the bill’s introduction:
Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) released the following statement:
“One of the simplest things we can do to support working families and build a strong economy is ensure that parents have access to quality, affordable child care. This is not just a parent’s issue; this is a workforce issue. Without child care, moms and dads will be forced to leave their jobs, further exacerbating our state’s workforce shortage.
“The economics of child care are broken. Costs to working families are too high but margins for providers are paper-thin. We need sustained state investment in our child care sector. That’s why I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues and introduce this legislation to support our kids and working families.”
“We also owe it to our kids to ensure that they have quality care provided by professionals in a safe environment so they can grow into well-rounded, strong, and educated adults. An investment in our kids is an investment in our future. We must get this done for Wisconsin’s families and child care providers.”
A recent survey released by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families found that without additional Child Care Counts funding, one in four child care providers would likely close, one in three would likely reduce the number of children cared for, and remaining providers would likely be forced to raise their rates for families.
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