August 29, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined business leaders, parents, and providers for a roundtable conversation in Philadelphia to discuss how to expand access to childcare and highlight how the Shapiro-Davis Administration is working to lower the cost of childcare for families and support childcare providers. "As a new dad, I've seen firsthand how important it is for working families to have access to high-quality and affordable childcare," said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who is co-chair of the Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC), a public-private partnership that brings together leaders to make recommendations and policy for early learning. "Childcare is infrastructure - much like roads, bridges and internet - and without it, our economy is crippled. That's why the Shapiro-Davis Administration has increased the childcare tax credit for Pennsylvania families and, with the new bipartisan state budget, is creating a tax credit for employers that help their workers pay for childcare. But there's more work to be done on this issue, and today's roundtable provided valuable insights and perspectives." The bipartisan 2024-25 state budget recently signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro includes a new tax credit for employers that contribute to their employees' childcare costs, as well as a $17.7 million increase in funding for early childhood education. Roundtable Participants:Tiana Williams, ParentSusann DiPersia, YMCAJen Segelken, Senior Vice President, YMCAShaun Elliott, President and CEO, YMCAAustin Davis, Lt. GovernorKate Woods, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Schweiger Dermatology GroupAlice Lindenauer, Human Resources ConsultantMelanie Brennan, Executive Director of Early Learning KenCrest
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