Child Care and Jobs

Almost a decade after Clintonian welfare reform, millions of Americans have moved from public assistance rolls out into the marketplace of work and productivity. A really tough-minded plan that guided people to work succeeded in cutting the number of welfare cases in half across the nation.

Now Congress must reauthorize the legislation. Debate about funding the new version of the legislation has been fierce, to say the least. And, no new bill has emerged. In fact, the old plan has been extended ten times to accommodate the continuing argument.

Recently, The New York Times ran a brief editorial focused on competing plans for funding the child care portion of the new legislation. The House of Representatives proposes a limited increase in funding of $1 billion over the next five years, not enough to cover the cost of inflation.

Few things are as important to working families as child care. As more people go to work, as is the hope and intention of the reform efforts, more child care will be required.

The Senate suggests a more rational plan that provides for $6 billion over the next five years.

Parents cannot work if they have no place to leave their children.

Republican Senators Olympia Snow (Maine) and Charles Grassley (Iowa) are carrying the fight to see the new agreement funded at this more adequate level.

You can help them and the families who need access to this invaluable asset. Write your Senators today and voice your support for their efforts.

Here's the address you'll need to write both of your Senators today:

Senator __________________
U. S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Your voice will make a difference for and with working families.