Re: “In WA and past, a baby care disaster is holding mother and father again” [April 23, Local News]:
The current article about youngster care in Washington state and elsewhere highlights a big downside in lots of states within the U.S. Sure, Congress ought to reply. However whereas federal laws languishes, some states can do extra.
Our state, Minnesota, has a Democratic trifecta. In 2023, Minnesota handed common paid household and medical go away laws. It is going to put low-income Minnesota households on extra stable footing to afford youngster care. Minnesota’s youngster tax credit assist households with youngster care, different wants and will not be counted towards different helps — e.g., diet and housing. Laws is within the works resulting in no middle-income Minnesotans paying greater than 7% of earnings for youngster care by the tip of this decade.
Washington, with massive Fortune 500 corporations, no state earnings tax and a Democratic trifecta is effectively positioned to take steps like Minnesota. The Minnesota PFML mannequin is doable and would save jobs for fogeys out on maternity go away, whereas bolstering households’ incomes. Different earnings aids have been proven to, actually, pay dividends to the state financial system whereas serving to raise folks out of poverty. Rising state help for the Childcare Help Program shall be matched by federal funds.
If Minnesota can do it, Washington can too!
Dale Dobrin, M.D., FAAP, for Medical doctors for Early Childhood, Minnetonka, Minn.
