EXCERPT: “Calls to combat Minnesota’s child care crisis intensified this year as advocacy groups, chambers of commerce, business development organizations and parents made the case to lawmakers that they needed to do something to close gaps in care options across the state. Lawmakers took note. As part of a two-year $48 billion spending plan, they agreed to lift burdensome regulations on in-home daycare providers and they funded grants aimed at helping new child care providers get up and running. While conversations of reported fraud in the state’s program to help low-income families afford care pulled focus from the conversation, a mix of Democratic and Republican lawmakers’ ideas ultimately got approved as part of the state budget. Combined, the results should ensure that additional child care slots open up in the next two years, those who pushed for the reforms said.” FULLSTORY: http://bit.ly/31mIQ4t
