Moorhead Senator Rob Kupec
MOORHEAD (KFGO/PRAIRIE PUBLIC) – A Moorhead lawmaker says as much of the nation prepares to go over what’s being called a “daycare cliff,” Minnesota is well poised to meet the ongoing challenges.
State Sen. Rob Kupec said part of the challenge comes from COVID relief funds which are set to expire.
Kupec said childcare is one of the biggest workforce issues in the state and – for working parents – daycare is vital, but expensive. It is something he said lawmakers tried addressing in last year’s legislative session.
“In Clay County, the average cost is about $16,000 a year to have somebody in preschool and childcare ahead of that,” Kupec said. “So, what we’re doing in Minnesota is we’re going to cover up to what we’re calling the ‘75th percentile’ of that. So, you should be able to afford basically three out of four childcare centers in your area. And the state is going to help you cover that cost.”
Kupec said the work may be done on the spending side of things. The next challenge is finding ways to adequately staff daycare centers.
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