Moms march to Oregon Capitol over childcare
SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) -- Annel Palacios owns a tire store and often brings her 3-year-old to work. When business is slow she can't afford a regular monthly child care bill of $2300.
Palacios was one of dozens of people who marched with the Family Forward Oregon group to the state Capitol in Salem to talk with lawmakers about childcare access and affordability.
"It's impossible right now," Palacios told KOIN 6 News. "At the end of the month it's a little bit impossible to pay rent."
Legislators are deciding whether to put money into a fund to help childcare workers. Right now there are not enough providers, due in part to low wages. There are also 10,000 Oregon families on a waitlist for subsidized childcare.
The push is also for lawmakers to put more money into subsidizing childcare for families. Daycare costs as much or more than rent for many people.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story