By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Assembly will consider a resolution in support of legislation aimed at easing the shortage of childcare in Alaska.
“The purpose is to encourage our elected officials to act on the issue,” said Kevin Knox, who along with Rebecca Himschoot sponsored the resolution. “We want to advance this issue of addressing our childcare crisis.”
The Assembly meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
The resolution is one of several items on a packed agenda that includes a proposal about a marijuana tax dedicated to school activities, grant applications for a haulout and seawall, and repair of the Cross Trail.
The first reading of the fiscal year 2023 city budget ordinance also is on the agenda.
The childcare resolution is in support of House Bill 149, which would allow Alaska childcare providers and employees to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. It establishes a day care provider fund, intended to help providers with compensation, benefits and training.
“This is something I’ve been working on and been in conversations with providers before the pandemic,” Knox said. “During the pandemic the crisis grew bigger.”
He said he’s worked on local solutions in the past and was pleased to see a statewide solution come forward.
“This bill for a statewide organization makes a lot more sense,” he said. “Having childcare workers being able to organize and collective bargain and realize the potential of some benefits, is more doable on the state level than the local level.”
Knox said he doesn’t know the fate of this legislation but there seems to be a broader recognition of the “child care crisis” not only in Sitka but around the state.
Members of the Early Childhood Coalition, representing childcare facilities and children, suggested at the last Assembly meeting that a resolution be passed in support of House Bill 149.
“(The coalition) provided the resolution,” Himschoot said. “We looked at it and liked it. Anything we can do to shine a light on childcare we should do it.”
Himschoot said the main problem is the lack of childcare options for working families.
“That includes an equity piece,” she said. “The lack of childcare disproportionately impacts single mothers and folks with lower economic status. Availability is the issue, and what’s causing the lack of availability. Childcare providers said they have spaces for more kids but don’t have employees. HB 149 provides one pathway for supporting our local businesses and daycares to provide a better compensation package for daycare providers and employees.”
Also on the agenda is first reading of an ordinance that recognizes advances in video and telephone communications as they relate to participation in Assembly meetings, and also defining a code of conduct at meetings for Assembly members as well as the public.
