POCATELLO — Over 50 people gathered for a rally near Pocatello’s City Hall Wednesday morning to protest against the decision by the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance Appropriations Committee to take away the wage enhancement grant to help retain childcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants in the rally wore purple shirts and stood along the sidewalk for two hours with signs that read “Protect Childcare” and “Don’t Walk Out On Us.”
Childcare businesses around Idaho were expecting the wage enhancement grant, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to end in June of this year, but JFAC eliminated the grant on Feb. 27 to save funds.
This grant provided funding for childcare services nationwide and Idaho is the first and only state to remove the grant early.
The Idaho Legislature could decide to reinstate the grant funding eliminated by JFAC. The issue came up at a press conference with legislative leaders hosted by the Idaho Press Club on Wednesday.
Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, said he was unaware of JFAC’s decision to approve a budget without the child care funding. It “hasn’t been on my radar,” he said, later suggesting that legislators may approve the funds separately in these final weeks of the legislative session.
Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said he was unaware of the reason behind JFAC’s vote but added that he intends to investigate it further.
House and Senate Democratic leaders Sen. Melissa Wintrow and Rep. Ilana Rubel, both from Boise, said they do not understand why JFAC would deny child care assistance.
“This is an inflection point for every other industry. Every industry in the state counts on child care access, whether you are in manufacturing or whether you’re in food services or whatever you’re in, your workers need child care,” Rubel said. “And these funds are very badly needed. I think it can still be fixed, but it’s going to be an uphill battle.”
Kari Giesbrecht, the owner of Kari’s Korner daycare centers in Pocatello and Preston, organized Wednesday’s Pocatello rally with her daughter Kali Giesbrecht by contacting 150 childcare centers around Idaho. Nearly 50 percent of the businesses said they are being forced to close their doors because of JFAC’s choice to remove the grant, Kari said.
“I had ladies crying on the phone because they have to shut down next month for not being able to continue functioning because it was such a quick cutoff. We’ve all been preparing, but we thought we had until June,” Kari said.
Kari reflected on the consequences of the grant being taken away early.
“When we shut down, then the parents can’t go to work. When the parents can’t go to work then other businesses shut down because they can’t find employees. I don’t think that (JFAC members) understand that. I just want our voices to be heard,” she said.
The grant gave every childcare worker an extra $300 monthly in pay in response to the extreme impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on childcare centers. The number of families Kari’s Korner serviced, for example, decreased from 60 to 12.
Kari said it’s been very difficult for her and other childcare providers to find workers when fast-food chains are offering employees more money than they can afford.
“For us to be able to afford to obtain and retain quality childcare (workers), everyone has been unfortunately relying on (the grant). It’s been such a significant help,” Kari said.
Kari, who’s been in business since 2012, is tremendously passionate about childcare and is quite worried about the repercussions of daycares shutting down.
“Children and childcare have been my passion since I was a teenager. I’m doing this (protest) because not only does (JFAC’s decision) affect me, but it affects so many men and women in the childcare profession and we deserve to be heard,” Kari said. “The significant damage that it’s going to cause is not only to us as small business owners and childcare professionals, but also to the community. If we shut down, there’s going to be underground daycares where the providers aren’t being regulated, and I’m worried about the children.”
The Idaho Capital Sun contributed to this report.
(12) comments
I'm actually amazed that the democrat party is not funding these daycare centers so that they can start the leftist indoctrination even sooner. They could wear little red scarves and wave little red books in the air while learning to be good little commiecrats. And you know the leftist media democrat propaganda machine came up with that blue state, red state color scheme.....because obviously the commiecrats should be the red states.....but this is how they hide the fact that the democrats are all raging communists.
Old. Crow ? Is it ? Relative of Jim , no doubt. Seems to me that calling anyone od democrats communistsobviously is the trademark of the far left ,that is when they can t just listen to the issues at hand and or try to avoid it.
Guess what CARING about others. Is the issue. Other countries love that this one constantly attacks one another , tjats the sad part! Its UNOTED WE STAND NOT DIVIDED! So when these amazing indibiduals and care providers dedicate their time to learn about each child and parents, they aren t intrested in the name.calling or bs about calling anyone communists. Todays not your day (tomorrows not looking so bright either)! Any off topic cheap talk that.is untrue , you can save for your Fox federation of characters and spoiler alert IT WAS MS. MARGARIE TRAILER TRASHMOUTH GREENE that stamped the red / blue states as opositions ( also fun fact ...ahe represents a BLUE STATE)!
Have yourself a better day . So. us in the community CARE about others and if you dont mind these great ladies and men that devote the time.to be of help to a already struggling economy dont deserve your empty waste of words. and lets not use thier hardships for a mental debate on who or why. ( Meanwhile I'm praying your kids or your grandkids great grandkids receive chold care when needed ( face it you wont be here forever) and that.they marry a democrate). Whats wrong with that ? Other then your personal jaded opinion.!
So bu-tt hurt when someone calls you out for what you are. Say it out loud.....you're communist and you're proud. At least have the ba-lls to admit it.
Lot's of typos means you've probably been chugging down too much Boones Farm.....that you filled your wine cellar up with decades ago....
Enjoy your swill.
Oh don t flatter yourself. Something tells me your probably always ready to use derogatory and clown statements because as i said people are people. In the end it won t matter. I hear God isnt having elections or right side of the fence plans.. Same soze hole for everyone genius . what part of the country did your ancestors BUILD ? My husband a marine died fighting for everyones rights. I lost 2 cousins in 911 saving or trying to save others , 3 military children deployed. So before you light your lawn cross tonight , and be fortunate to wake up remember some.of us have paid our dues!
Well as far as the wine its all your mother insists to drink.! )
Mr Jim Crow
For the record , using hard working individuals Protest because you cant or wont understand thier thier dedication and thier reasons is not to be used for this blue / red nonsense your leader has dubbed a "team".
It is about Everyoe and though you have a political view and redoric. Aboit it how bout you write your legislature about that . Whether or not you see that Everyone in every community has a opinion. No one asked for a moment in the spotlight to devalidate this cause. I m a proud motjer of 3 adult children in 3 branches of the military , fighting for this freedom for all. Not just yours..In my opinion and citizan, democrate and firstly part of the community that is obviously incapable of understanding that its falling apart for evwryone .Ita ok .. Im the end no ones getting out alive ,right.(not "the far right")
Have another drink of hater aid!
You can probably get an app for a thesaurus.....
Cause you need one.......or at least a dictionary.
Using that military card is precious.....so you think
That you have more First Amendment rights than I do because your children couldn't find jobs and had to join the military to make a living? After seeing the work of you radical leftists over my entire lifetime, the commiecrat convention 68,
The weather underground terrorists, black panthers, BLM, antifa, illegals waving the Mexican flag within our borders......I've just decided that I hate all protesters......from both parties. And we are all entitled to our opinions....so go suck an egg.
Eugene, who goes by the name Old Crow, and before that he used the childish handle "Destroyer of Democrats" has no kids. Or friends, for that matter. He is a keyboard commando who comments on every story in the ISJ, including weather reports to spew his ridiculous theories and whine about his victimhood. This is his miserable life. He will degrade your family when he runs out of valid (even to him) points. It must really suck to be him. Thank you for your family's service to our country ma'am.
That be Catherine Coffee Patschull.....I told you she was a leftist goon just like you. And speak for yourself and your miserable life......destroying democrats is my entertainment.
Once again, the brilliant amateur detective from Arimo has cracked the case. So THAT'S why they are called blue states. So obvious it's hard to spot. Hiding in plain sight!! So THAT's why you call us commiecrats. So clever, yet appropriate. Thanks for clearing that up.
You fu-cking fly the hammer and sickle on may day
Of course the commiecrat states should be the RED states. Leave it to beaver to screw up the color scheme.
the conservative-dominated Idaho legislature strikes again--and what about that budget surplus the conservatives are so proud of ? When it comes to financially supporting a worthy cause it seems to be hiding behind the cellar door. We need different legislators than the current group of worthless conservatives.
Agreed!
Welcome to the discussion.
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