South Dakota Democrats join White House’s States Convening on Child Care

‘This problem transcends party. This is not a partisan issue.’

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

A trio of Democratic lawmakers from Sioux Falls hope a trip this week to the White House will help them advance daycare and early childhood education reforms back home.

South Dakota House Assistant Minority Leader Erin Healy, Rep. Linda Duba and Sen. Liz Larson were among nearly 100 state lawmakers, governors and public officials from across the United States who attended a summit hosted by President Joe Biden’s administration on childcare affordability.

“We were there to learn about what other states are doing,” said Duba following the two-day convening that featured remarks from First Lady Jill Biden, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Unlike the places where those women hail from, South Dakota does not use state dollars to subsidize childcare and early education. And all three state lawmakers who attended the summit say that’s holding their state’s economy back.

NEWS: County director admonishes landfill over garbage on roadways