Governor Burgum proposes "framework" to make address North Dakota childcare "crisis"

(Fargo, ND) -- Governor Doug Burgum is announcing new state efforts aimed at addressing childcare shortages. Burgum spoke at Bright Futures Learning Center in Fargo Tuesday morning announcing what he calls a "framework" to make quality childcare more affordable and available. 

"Working families are experiencing a childcare crisis. There are more children than there are slots. It's a simple way to put it," said Burgum. 

The plan calls for providing financial assistance to working families and financial support to the state's 600 childcare providers. The plan includes proposed tax credits for working parents with young children, matching grants for employers, and facilities grants for childcare providers. 

"There are 45 thousand North Dakota households now in our state that have children between the ages of newborns and age 5. That's about 64 thousand kids," said Burgum. 

The governor is asking state lawmakers to consider and pass elements of the framework during the upcoming legislative session.