Nebraska Targets Child Care Subsidies to Help Balance Budget
“Nebraska officials are targeting a child care subsidy for low-income families to help balance the state budget, drawing criticism Tuesday from some lawmakers who say they should find the money elsewhere.
The bill by Sen. Merv Riepe of Omaha would temporarily lift a requirement that state officials adjust child care subsidy rates to reflect providers’ increased costs. The Department of Health and Human Services has signaled that it wants to keep its rates flat, saving the state millions of dollars even though child care costs are likely to rise.”