State Employees in Downtown Madison, WI Get Special $268,000 Child Care Subsidy

The Associated Press ran a story yesterday that caught my eye. In the midst of all the stories about parents struggling to find affordable child daycare in order to work and support their families, this story just struck me as odd.

According to the AP, about 100 state employees that work in downtown Madison have, for several years, benefited from a special $268,000 child care subsidy. All of these employees use the same downtown Madison, WI daycare center.

While the state of Wisconsin employs about 67,000 workers total, this subsidy is only offered to about 100 employees who use this particular chld care center. So, these workers average about $2,680 each per year help pay for care - at one center.

There was a move in the Wisconsin State Legislature to repeal the subsidy, but it failed, with subsidy supporters calling the opponents "petty".

According to a press release from State Representative Sue Jeskewitz, there are at least five other certified child care providers within a four mile radius of the capital that do not receive the subsidy, which has been in effect since 1991.

Why are the benefits only given to employees who use this particular location for child care? Why is it that the only State of Wisconsin employees who are given this subsidy are those that work in downtown Madison?

At the very least, it seems like the subsidy should benefit all of the certified, downtown Madison child daycare providers.


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