From Jillynn Niemeier

Monroe

To the Editor:

Reading Sen. Marklein’s latest E-update, I found it very ironic that it stated, “We will continue to listen to constituents and stakeholders throughout the whole process as we craft a responsible state budget.”

As a small business owner of a childcare center in Monroe, WI, and the President of the Green County Childcare Network, over the last several months, I have reached out several times to request a meeting to discuss the challenges facing childcare providers — specifically, the lack of revenue needed to offer fair wages. Child care wages are 543rd out of 556 occupations However, despite our repeated efforts, we have struggled to get a response from your office. Each time I reach out about scheduling a meeting, I receive no answer until I follow up multiple times and then an told he is unavailable.

We have made every effort to bring this issue to your attention for years and have even left the scheduling in your hands, yet we have heard nothing in return. The reality is that you could meet with all of Green County’s childcare providers in one meeting if you were willing.

So, my question is this: Who are the stakeholders you are listening to? Because if it’s not us — the providers on the front lines of this crisis — I would like to know who it is so I can speak with them and hear their perspective on the future of childcare. Our offer to meet any evening or weekend stands.