Shusterman discusses child care at White House
Roundtable discussion featured legislators from 41 states
Rep. Melissa Shusterman July 20, 2023 | 1:19 PM
PAOLI, July 20 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, was honored to join legislators from around the country to discuss the child care crisis at The White House.
The roundtable discussion featured 75 representatives from 41 states highlighting legislation and state programs that are working to help families find quality care and make ends meet. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke to the group to deliver words of encouragement.
“I have always been committed to helping working families,” Shusterman said. “It was an honor to join my fellow state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara and state Sen. Judy Schwank to discuss child care with legislators from all four corners of the United States. It is reassuring to know that state legislators, trying to help families move forward, have the support at the highest level of our government.”
Shusterman co-sponsored H.B. 1259 with state Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, which would help families ease the burden of child care costs through an expansion of the Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Program, providing a stepped, yearly increase to the tax credit eligible individuals can claim. The bill passed the House with a bipartisan 141-62 vote on June 12, and it awaits action in the Senate Finance Committee.