Shusterman discusses child care at White House forum
Discussion featured legislators from over 30 states
Rep. Melissa Shusterman October 1, 2024 | 12:50 PM
PAOLI, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, was honored to join legislators from around the country to discuss child care at The White House on Friday, Sept. 27.
The States Convening on Child Care forum included more than 60 legislators from over 30 states gathering to discuss strategies to make child care more affordable and accessible for working families, improve the recruitment and retention of skilled child care workers, and enhance work conditions and the quality of care.
At the forum, legislators shared success stories about how their states positively impacted families, and highlighted legislation they have introduced or will in the near future.
“Last year in the commonwealth with the expansion of our Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, we made it a little easier for families to balance working and finding proper care for their children,” Shusterman said. “It was an honor to share the progress Pennsylvania has made when it comes to increasing access to child care. We've taken some crucial steps, but there is still more work to do, and I hope we can implement some of the successful programs created by my fellow legislators from across the country to help even more Pennsylvanians.”
Child care is a primary focus of Shusterman’s work as a legislator. Last year, Shusterman was a co-prime sponsor of H.B. 1259 which was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The law drastically expanded the state’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit with Pennsylvania providing a 100% match for the federal tax credit. Nearly a quarter million of the state’s working families saw their tax credit for child and dependent care more than triple.