Letter: Affordable child care still out of reach

Skyrocketing child care costs are crippling Iowa working families and forcing many to choose between their jobs and their families.

That's a decision no family should have to make. Iowans must take the lead and make affordable child care an option for all families, not just the wealthy. No one should have to spend more than a quarter of their pay on child care or have to choose between writing a check for rent or paying for day care.

According to a Washington Post poll conducted last summer, three-quarters of all working mothers and half of working fathers admitted that rising child care costs have forced them to quit or change their jobs or miss opportunities for advancements. Many working families are taking salary cuts to work for companies that offer more family-friendly policies. We should be maximizing our workforce potential instead of inhibiting the productivity of parents who want to care for their children.

Depending on where you live, families can expect monthly child care costs that are equivalent to a mortgage or monthly rent. It's unacceptable, and there are policy changes that would help curb the costs.

Tax cuts for the middle class and for businesses who offer family friendly policies would be a good start in easing the burden. Our children are our future and protecting our families should be a top priority in 2016.

Take advantage of this opportunity and voice your opinion. Tell our leaders to put families first in Iowa.

Darlesha Kearney

Cedar Rapids