Touting what is considered the largest investment in public education in Minnesota’s history, Gov. Tim Walz arranged a roundtable discussion at the Moorhead Public Library on Friday to hear about needs surrounding child care.
With Walz’s goal of making Minnesota the best state in the country for kids, he has put forward in his 2023 budget a $12 billion package that would lower the cost of child care for middle-class families, expand tax cuts, reduce child poverty and create a new state agency to focus on families and children.
Walz, Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson and Sen. Rob Kupec, DFL-Moorhead, were joined by organizations involved in child care and concerned parents, who said the workforce shortage and affordability were two of the main obstacles.
The investment would come as a series of four packages within the One Minnesota Budget and also would provide universal school meals and better access to mental health resources, Walz said during the discussion.
“With the legislation we have coming, it’s a huge step forward. It’s the biggest investment we’ve ever made in child care. When you have quality child care at an early age, it’s not only an investment now, it’s an investment in the future,” Kupec said.
Nicole Flick, of ABC123 Child Enrichment Center in Dilworth, said child care is her passion.
“It’s really hard to work so hard and get paid so little. You keep talking about how we need more spots, I’m authorized for 175 (children) but only have 125 enrolled. Why? Because I can’t find staff. We need more teachers. This isn’t a career, this is a job,” Flick said.
Many people Flick tries to hire come from fast food restaurants.
“People don’t go to college for early childhood education because the pay is so low,” she said. “This won’t be fixed until we can pay more.”
Rhoda Elmi, of Jasmin Child Care and Preschool in Fargo, said city ordinances in Moorhead have too many obstacles, and she can’t find enough staff.
“(When) we try to hire teachers, they come, but we don’t have that much money to pay for their salaries. I cannot raise my fee because they (parents) cannot afford it,” Elmi said.
She also said that if children aren’t able to catch up before starting first grade, a vicious cycle that can end in jail occurs.
“If they go to jail, you have to pay for that,” she said, pointing to Walz. “Why aren’t we paying now?”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Walz agreed.“You can pay for schools and child care, or you can pay for prisons. It’s time to put our money where our mouth is. You want to reduce crime? This is one piece of it.”
Missy Okeson, a child care program lead for Northwest Minnesota Foundation, said her nonprofit began offering forgivable loans and low-interest loans for starting child care centers.
So far, they’ve funded 110 loans that were forgiven because the companies remained open for five years, and all but five centers have stayed in business throughout Minnesota.
“I hope these providers see things work. I hope what they’re seeing is that we’re listening,” Walz said.
The governor’s budget proposal still needs to be approved, which he said should be decided in May.
“This is Lucy with the football in Charlie Brown, and you pull it away right at the last moment. That cannot happen. We will do everything in our power to protect our children,” Walz said.
