Child care funding increased for providers and families this year in Minnesota.
But public testimony to the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee this week shows affordability continues to be a serious issue for middle class families.
Shawntel Gruba is chief executive officer at the Iron Range Tykes Learning Center in Mountain Iron. Gruba told the committee she needs to raise rates at the center to make ends meet and expects to lose families in the process. These are families with solid jobs in mining and health care.
"At what point do they not make enough money to pay for child care?" Gruba said. "At what point do they decide that in order to make ends meet, they need to find a child care option that has much lower quality? This is a horrible decision to be forced to make."
Brittany Kjenaas of Mountain Iron, a parent of one, reinforced the challenges families face.
"She is our only child, and unless something changes in the cost of child care she will remain our only child," Kjenaas told legislators. "We pay more for child care than we do our mortgage and there's no way we could double that and still afford to live."
The Legislature already invested $300 million, including in early learning scholarships for 25,000 low-income and vulnerable children. But advocates say the income threshold is too low and leaves the majority of Minnesotans struggling.
DFL State Sen. Grant Hauschild of Hermantown is one of the legislators working on a proposal to ensure no family would pay more than 7% of their income on child care and early learning. Hauschild said child care concerns are a top issue for his rural constituents, not only for cost reasons but also availability.
Lack of affordable housing and child care combined make it harder for families in Greater Minnesota, he said, and limits economic development opportunities.
"If we want Minnesota to be the best place to raise a family, and support businesses, workforce and our economy, we must address the child care affordability crisis," Hauschild said.
The proposal is expected to be considered in the 2024 session.
-
Ekaterina Bolovtsova via PexelsThe Minnesota Supreme Court suspended Mahnomen County Attorney Julie Bruggeman's license to practice law after a petition citing numerous instances of unethical misconduct. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Minnesota State Fire Marshal reports home fires and other disasters peak during the winter months.
-
Canva illustrationA 61-year-old Baxter woman was killed while crossing Highway 371 early in the morning on Thursday, Nov. 30.
-
Contributed/iNaturalist user l_woodsyEach month, Pam Perry joins Tuesday Morning Show co-hosts Heidi Holtan and John Latimer to discuss birds, critters, and seasonal changes. Pam is a retired non-game wildlife biologist who is excited about birds, amphibians, reptiles, and all manner of living things.
-
Contributed/Night Makers MarketGrand Rapids has lots going on Friday, Dec. 1, during this monthly celebration of the arts. Plus, there are extra activities to celebrate the holidays.
-
Contributed/iNaturalist user willbrooksKAXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer provides his weekly assessment of nature in Northern Minnesota. This is the week of Nov. 28, 2023.
-
Contributed/City of BiwabikThe grants from the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation are geared to support tourism and recreation.
-
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe termination of the contract, effective at the end of this year, was expected to impact about 700 Lakeview Behavioral Health patients enrolled in Itasca County's public insurance provider.
-
Contributed/DNRThe Encampment Minerals proposals, one near Hoyt Lakes and the other near Cotton, call for diamond drilling exploratory borings and geological surveys.
-
Contributed/Gillian BedfordGillian Bedford discussed her upcoming exhibit at Watermark Art Center and where she finds inspiration. There will be an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2023.
