GiaQuinta comments on child care funding transfer

Today, Gov. Braun announced that he will request approval from the State Budget Committee for a $200 million transfer from the state General Fund to fund Indiana's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. CCDF's vouchers help families pay for child care expenses, and the $200 million would move 14,000 children off the waitlist starting in May, according to the Braun administration.

This comes after Braun paused new vouchers and cut reimbursement rates for providers, resulting in the closure of hundreds of child care facilities around the state, including one in House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne)'s district. There will still be 21,400 children remaining on the waitlist.

GiaQuinta issued the following statement in response to the funding infusion:

"Too little, too late. While I'm thankful that Gov. Braun has taken steps to resuscitate our statewide child care program today, the reality is that the system was teetering on the brink of collapse back in Fall 2025 thanks to decisions made by him and Statehouse Republicans. For many providers, including a beloved one in my hometown of Fort Wayne, doors shut back in November and December.

"In December, House Democrats offered an opportunity for House Republicans to reject the redistricting bill and fund CCDF vouchers for a year. They said no. In last year's budget, Statehouse Republicans prioritized expanding private K-12 vouchers to Indiana's wealthiest families instead of funding child care and getting our neediest working families off the waitlist.

"I say all this not to descend into the partisan bickering that I know Hoosiers are tired of. I say this to let Hoosiers know that the near-collapse of our child care system is an active decision that Statehouse Republicans made time and time again.

"The money has always been there – the question has been whether there is the political will to invest in the hard-working, low-income families that keep our state economy running."