A new Minnesota House select committee has been set up to look at child-care affordability and a shortage of providers.
State Rep. Mary Franson, a Republican from Alexandria, will head the group, which, House officials say, will work “with providers and parents to facilitate solutions for more affordable child care choices for Minnesota families.”
House Speaker Kurt Daudt, who announced the effort, said: “This committee is ready to get to work finding solutions to make child care more affordable and accessible across the state.”
The announcement says that the state has lost 3,000 child care providers in the last decade.
The committee will tour the state to meet with providers and parents in preparation for legislative changes.
Franson, who has worked as a day-care provider, said: “Minnesota has many top-quality child-care providers who offer a safe, quality environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive. However, too many Minnesota families cannot find available or affordable child care in their community.”
Gov. Mark Dayton last year proposed an expanded child-care tax credit.
