STATEMENT FROM VERMONT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FOLLOWING GOVERNOR SCOTT’S VETO OF UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE BILL 

STATEMENT FROM VERMONT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FOLLOWING GOVERNOR SCOTT’S VETO OF UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE BILL 
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, Speaker of the House Representative Jill Krowinski addressed the action taken by Governor Scott to veto bill H.217, which had tri-partisan support in the House and would bring universal child care to Vermont families and businesses. 
"For far too long, families across Vermont have struggled to balance taking care of their children while earning a paycheck. We must help those struggling by providing them with the necessary support to grow their careers while knowing that their children are safe and well-cared for by high-quality early educators. Without accessible child care we face significant losses of wages for Vermonters and tens of millions of dollars in business losses. Vermont cannot be a state that supports working families and a thriving economy without a child care system that is available to all. 
"This issue is not limited to families with children; it greatly impacts all of our communities. Providing comprehensive child care solutions benefits our economy, supports working parents, fosters early education opportunities for our children, and ensures that our early education providers are paid a fair wage.
"The Governor vetoed a bill that would have cost an individual Vermonter, earning the median wage less than $1.00 dollar per week. That is a truly significant benefit for Vermonters at a minimal cost. This bill, along with base funding invested in the budget vetoed by the Governor, would allow for increases in child care subsidies, which would provide for families to find and afford quality care while guaranteeing higher wages for early childhood educators and staff.
"We cannot ignore the overwhelming support from Vermonters for this critical investment in our state. Thousands of child care providers, families, and business owners have advocated for the urgent need to have affordable and accessible child care. It is truly disappointing that the Governor chose to veto this investment in working families and our economy. 
"While the Governor's veto represents a setback, it only strengthens our resolve to champion the well-being of our communities. We will continue to fight for affordable child care, recognizing its immense value to our families and the future of our great state."
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You can learn more about H.217, see the legislative website here. 
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