House Democrats voice frustration over Governor's inaction regarding childcare

COLUMBUS—House Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) today released a statement following the Governor’s delay to reopen childcare facilities, leaving working parents few options as they return to the workplace:

“Many working parents tuned into today’s press conference with the hopes that the state would be rolling out a plan to safely reopen childcare facilities and thereby alleviate some of their anxiety as they are called back to work with schools cancelled and daycares remaining closed. But instead we heard the state will move forward with reopening, but that childcare facilities would still not be an option.

The uncertainty surrounding childcare centers is putting an enormous amount of stress on parents as they are being called back to work. As it stands today, parents are faced with the impossible choice: risk their eligibility to receive unemployment benefits or leave young children unattended with no care to return to work. It is unconscionable for us to ask parents to balance their financial security against taking care of their children when there is no access to safe and reliable childcare centers open to them.”

Earlier today, State Representative Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) sent a letter to Governor DeWine, urging the formation of a workgroup to plan for statewide access to childcare. House Democrats echo the call for the formation of such a group to immediately address this issue.

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