What should be the priority spending agenda for our country right now? Defense spending, like the $1.5 trillion budget sought by the administration? That would mean huge cuts to domestic programs, including support for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
Hillary Clinton's guest essay in The New York Times says what we really need are long-term investments in physical and mental health, job security, affordable housing, child care and protection of Medicaid and CHIP programs threatened by President Donald Trump's funding cuts.
In a private Easter lunch, Trump is quoted as saying, "We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care." Clinton says that is not surprising from a president who still refers to the affordability crisis as a "hoax" and a "con job."
Some states are stepping up. With child care being one of the largest expenses most families face, states like Illinois and Michigan are expanding child tax credits to reach more low-income families and young children. Adequate paid family leave during the arrival of a child is now offered in more than a dozen states. Several states have expanded access to pre-K programs, providing child care connected with high-quality early learning.
Clinton ends with: "We know what works. We know how to help parents. We know how to help families." We should keep this in mind in the November elections — how to make affordability the focus, and put children front and center.
I'm Connie Seraphine, and that's my perspective.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
