State lawmakers paint bleak picture to child care assistance providers

Posted on August 24, 2015
Sarah Bischoff, front, Charlotte Stuckey, two clients of the Crisis Center at Children's Home and Aid, stand with Program Manager Tiffany Powell during a discussion on the state's budget Monday. (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)
Sarah Bischoff, front, Charlotte Stuckey, two clients of the Crisis Center at Children’s Home and Aid, stand with Program Manager Tiffany Powell during a discussion on the state’s budget Monday. (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – State lawmakers are painting a bleak picture when it comes to a possible solution to the state’s budget impasse. State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, told a room of child care professionals Monday that further cutbacks are not only possible, but likely.

“Look at what can be done further in consolidation with your partners before it’s forced,” Brady said.

Charlotte Stuckey is a mother who says she relies on the Crisis Nursery through Children’s Home and Aid.

“We need to see something passed so we can keep this up for families,” Stuckey said. “Because we were nothing without these people. They need you and we need you.”

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said a budget agreement could arrive as late as March. The state has operated without a budget since July 1.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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