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Clinton's child care boost
not a big priority on Hill
By Cheryl Wetzstein
by 2002.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
In addition, states, which have
smaller welfare caseloads, can
New funding for child care, a
transfer 30 percent of their welfare
"steadfast" priority issue of the
funds to child care if they need to,
Clinton administration, remains
she said.
bottled up in Congress, a House
Regarding other child care is-
aide told state lawmakers last
sues, such as setting standards for
week.
quality care or rates for subsidies,
The issue will be discussed
these are state issues, not federal
Wednesday at a Senate Finance
ones, the staff member said.
subcommittee hearing led by Sen.
As a result, GOP leaders "feel
John H. Chafee, Rhode Island Re-
we've covered the bases in child
publican.
care legislation," she said. "Now
Mr. Chafee is one of several
we want to wait and see
and
members of Congress to introduce
hear from the states."
bills to boost child care funding
Senate staffers representing
and make other changes. However,
GOP and Democratic lawmakers
none of the bills is moving with any
and a Clinton administration offi-
speed, despite high-profile atten-
cial offered alternate views.
tion from the White House and
"There is a tremendous need for
President Clinton's request for
child care," said Joan Lombardi, a
nearly $22 billion in new funding.
top official with the Department of
A primary reason for congres-
Health and Human Services.
sional delay is that many GOP
States have waiting lists of par-
leaders believe states have ample
ents who need child care, she said,
funds to run their child care pro-
citing care at "odd hours," on
grams, a GOP staff member from
weekends, in rural locations and
the House Ways and Means Com-
for infants as the most urgent
mittee told state legislators at a
needs.
meeting held by the National Con-
ference of State Legislatures.
Ms. Lombardi also disputed the
The GOP leaders' attitude is
idea that states have ample child
"We have done what we're going to
care funds, noting that states are
do with child care," the staffer
using their child care allocations
on schedule.
said.
She explained that the 1996 wel-
Senate staff members said that
fare law added $4 billion in new
an excellent bill could be forth-
funds to the federal government's
coming and urged state lawmakers
primary child care program,
to document their child care
boosting its spending to $11 billion
needs.
The Washington Times
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1998
PAGE 7
4TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1998 The Washington Post
The Washington Post
May 10, 1998, Sunday, Final Edition
SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A06
LENGTH: 645 words
HEADLINE: Clinton Pushes Child Care Bill; GOP Criticizes Package as Ignoring
Stay-at-Home Mothers
BYLINE: Peter Baker, Washington Post Staff Writer
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG, May 9
BODY:
President Clinton, trying to rescue one of the signature initiatives of his
second term, needled Congress today to pass his $ 22 billion child care
proposal, which has stalled under Republican criticism that it slights mothers
who do not work outside the home.
Using the Mother's Day holiday as an opportunity to pitch his plan, Clinton
said government has an obligation to help parents trying to juggle work and
family and he criticized legislation that he said would hurt women trying to
collect support from absentee fathers.
"To make that tribute to motherhood," the president said in his weekly radio
address, "we must all take responsibility for the care of our children. For many
mothers who work, as my mother did, peace of mind requires affordable, quality
child care."
Clinton has made child care a top priority this year and may try to turn it
into a central issue in this fall's midterm congressional campaigns if, as now
appears likely, Republicans refuse to pass it. The five-year Clinton plan would
increase child care subsidies and tax credits for working families, expand Head
Start and other early childhood programs and make it easier to conduct
background checks on child care providers.
In his radio talk, Clinton offered rhetorical nods to GOP criticism that his
proposal leaves out mothers who choose to stay at home with their children.
"As Mother's Day reminds us, governments don't raise children. Parents do,"
he said. "There is no substitute for a mother's love or a parent's
responsibility. We, too, in the national and state governments, however, have a
responsibility."
Tied to the address, the administration released two new reports offering
parents guidelines on finding quality child care and screening providers.
Clinton also slammed a provision in pending bankruptcy reform legislation that
he said would require a mother to "compete with powerful banks and credit card
companies" if a father declares personal bankruptcy.
Sen. John H. Chafee (R-R.I.), whose child care bill incorporates some
elements of Clinton's plan while offering a tax credit to stay-at-home
PAGE 8
The Washington Post, May 10, 1998
parents, said the White House has not devoted enough energy to the issue.
"The momentum that we were building toward consensus on a child care bill
earlier this year has sputtered out," Chafee said. "It's going to take a
stronger and much more active push from the White House to get the proverbial
ball rolling again on child-care legislation."
Child care was one of several legislative priorities Clinton raised today
during a closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats here in Williamsburg,
according to aides, along with tobacco control, education and his proposed
health care "bill of rights."
Clinton spent more than an hour at the annual retreat for his party's
senators that "primarily centered on the unified [Democratic] message
and
also his reiterating to them his commitment to work with them not only on
legislation in the next six months but also to help Democrats in November," said
presidential counselor Douglas B. Sosnik.
After a round of golf, Clinton flew to Boston tonight and attended a $
700,000 fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee.
Republicans, during their weekly radio address today, pressed the case for
legislation to impose limited sanctions on countries that persecute religious
minorities, a bill opposed by Clinton as tying his hands in foreign policy. Rep.
Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), a champion of the bill, set for a House vote in coming
days, said the United States cannot ignore the systematic abuses in places such
as China, Tibet and Sudan.
"This nation was founded by men and women who wanted nothing more than the
freedom to practice their faith without government oppression," Wolf said. "If
we don't stand up for the religious rights of people around the world, who
will?"
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 10, 1998
JUN-02-1998 11:38 FROM CDF 5TH FL.662-3550
TO
92024562878 P.01/02
DEAR
BE GOOD LOR TOME
WIDE THE SEAiS AND so
W.
MYBOATIS(
SO SMALL
CHILD CARE AAANOW!
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
Children's Defense Fund
TELEPHONE: (202) 662-3547
FAX: (202) 662-3560
TO:
Nicole Rabnar, Bruce Reed, Rahm Emenuel,
FIRM:
Erskine Bowles, Lamy Stein
CITY/STATE:
FAX NUMBER:
FROM:
HELEN BLANK, Director, Child Care Division,
Department of Programs and Policy
DATE:
TIME:
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT (INCLUDING COVER SHEET):
COMMENTS:
If you have any problems receiving this fax, please contact Kanya Williams at (202) 662-3544.
25 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone 202 628 8787
Fax 202 662 3510
21
JUN-02-1998 11:38
FROM CDF 5TH FL.662-3550
TO
92024562878
P.02/02
The
Philadelphia
Unquirer
Sunday, May 31. 1998
EDITORIALS
Where do we stand?
The talk about helping children is everywhere;
the money to implement the ideas is harder to find.
These days, everybody loves to
helping to organize 1,000 events
talk about taking a stand for chil-
across the country.
dren, including members of Con-
In Philadelphia, contributors are
gress, the President. governors and
being asked by Philadelphia Citizens
state lawmakers.
for Children and Youth to add to the
It's harder to find politicians actu-
4,500 children's books already donated
ally willing to make a stand for im-
to child-care centers around the re-
proving the lives of children. partic-
gion At the Statehouse in Trenton at
ularly those of the less affluent.
noon. thousands are urged to show up
There have been White House
in support of child-care and protection
conferences devoted to the health
programs. About 15,000 people are ex-
and care of children. In January, the
pected to rally in New York's Central
President talked up the idea of in-
Park, where speakers will make the
vesting $22 billion in child care and
case for better child care for working
early childhood education over the
parents and their children.
next five years.
It is a vital issue in 1998.
He's needled Congress to do some-
Olivia Golden, assistant secretary
thing, held some Rose Garden
for the Administration of Children
events, talked to businesses. bragged
and Families in the U.S. Department
about his commitment and devoted a
of Health and Human Services, says
few minutes to kids on the radio this
current federal child-care subsidies
week. Yet somehow he's never seen
reach only 1 million of the 10 million
to it that his proposal took the form
children who need help. She noted
of a real bill in Congress.
that millions of parents on modest
Marian Wright Edelman. who
incomes are struggling with inade-
heads the Children's Defense Fund
quate and sometimes unsafe care.
(CDF), a nonprofit education and
And even mediocre care can cost so
policy group, notes there's no short-
much it forces parents to skimp on
age of child-care bills floating
essentials such as heat and food.
around Congress. Around 50, in fact.
Ms. Golden touted the President's
Many have good intentions: some
child-care program. which would
make for good speeches and postur-
earmark $7.5 billion over five years
ing, and a couple might work if only
for direct subsidies through the
Congress and the President would
child-care and development block
stand behind them.
grant. In January, the President
But getting elected officials in
talked of getting the money from a
Washington and the 50 state capitals
tobacco settlement fund.
to concentrate on the children who
So why has Mr. Clinton been re-
need the help most, the 14.5 million
soundingly silent on a tobacco-bill
children who live in poverty. and the
amendment that would make sure
many more who live close to the pov-
that, over the next five years, $6 bil-
erty line. remains a challenge.
lion out of $62 billion in new revenue
in fairness, last year Congress did
goes to child care?
put up $24 billion in new revenues
Secretary of Health and Human
over five years to expand health in-
Services Donna Shalala said the Pres-
surance that should cover at least
ident doesn't want anything. to upset
half the 10 million kids without it,
the support and the focus of the to-
but getting states such as Pennsylva-
bacco settlement legislation. spon-
nia to leverage that money for maxi-
sored by Sen. John McCain (R.,
mum benefit has been slow going.
Ariz), that is aimed at imposing ciga-
So has the push to get similar-size
rette taxes to discourage teen smok-
commitments made to child care and
ing.
early-childhood education.
But the child-care amendment
Tomorrow, June 1, is a good day to
sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Kerry
ponder where we stand.
(D., Mass.) and Kit Bond (R., Mo.) -
Tomorrow is Stand for Children
which has growing support among
Day, organized by CDF. At the first
moderate Republicans such as Penn-
one, in 1996, children, parents and
sylvania's Arien Specter and Sen.
other adults stood about 300,000
McCain - nearly has enough votes
strong on behalf of the nation's chil-
to pass.
dren near the Lincoln Memorial in
And yet the nation's best-known
Washington. Now there are 130 Stand
child-care advocate hasn't seen this
for Children chapters. which are
as the right place to stand for chil-
nonprofit affiliates of CDF. They are
dren.
TOTAL P.02
Child-Care Dilemma
T
HE MOST ambitious initiative in the
tax-and-spend. Democrats, while not opposed,
budget President Clinton sent to Con-
were not all that enthusiastic. The president
gress in February disappeared from legis-
likewise backed away after the defeat of the
lative view so quickly that most people don't
tobacco tax increase on which he had counted
even remember that it was proposed. The
to finance the program. By the budget battle at
president requested a major increase in federal
the end of the session, he was pushing other
child care subsidies, some $20 billion worth over
priorities, notably education spending.
five years. It's a good idea, but the level of
The budget next year will be even tighter,
interest in Congress was such that even oppo-
particularly if Mr. Clinton supports the increase
nents scarcely bothered to react, and the presi-
in the defense budget he has suggested he will.
dent himself pretty quickly abandoned the idea,
The president again could seek an increase in
save as a backdrop for occasional political
the tobacco tax, but that too has become a more
events. In the end, instead of an expansion of
complicated proposition. If the federal tobacco
existing programs, the administration counte-
tax goes up, and the states receive some of the
nanced a sizable cut in a source of child care
money, the payments the states receive from
money to finance other undertakings.
the tobacco companies under their recently
The question is whether the president will
settled lawsuit will go down by the same
renew the February proposal in the next Con-
gress or move on. He said in February he was
amount; so reads an obscure provision of the
"determined" to expand existing aid. But other
settlement that the industry insisted was neces-
issues are competing for his attention-Social
sary to keep the states from double-dipping.
Security reform, to cite one modest example-
As for the Republicans, the alternative devel-
and next year's budget may be even less
oped by the small group in the Senate this year
hospitable to a major spending increase than
would have guaranteed the increased aid the
this one was. The Republicans who were the
president proposed for the middle class while
main source of this year's opposition could
leaving the poor to fight for theirs a year at a
present a problem as well, in that they may be
time within the appropriations process-and
prepared to do more next time than just say no.
even the increase for the middle class would
In both houses they have shown interest in
have been attenuated. Lest they be accused of
taking the child-care programs in directions the
favoring working mothers over those who stay
administration does not want to go. The
at home, the group would have given the tax
president's commendable determination, if it
credit to both. What began as a child care
still exists, could be put to an interesting test.
proposal was converted for ideological reasons
This year's proposal had two main parts-an
into a generalized tax cut. In the House,
increase in the child-care tax credit for the
meanwhile, rather than increase child-care
middle class, and a comparable increase in a
funds, Republicans are considering giving states
program of child-care grants to the states that
greater freedom to use existing welfare and
mainly benefit the poor. The proposal met with
social service funds for child care-or not. It
little interest. A small group of Senate Republi-
would be up to them. Those are among the
cans tried to fashion an alternative, but most
deflections the president will have to deal with if
Republicans were put off by the spending
he renews his proposal. Last year may have been
increase, which they denounced as a return to
simple by comparison.
The Washington Post
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3o, 1998
Carrots and Sticks
T
HERE IS TOUGH competition for the
Hundreds more, including 81-year-old Saw Mra
title, but perhaps no authoritarian re-
Aung, remain in jail. Others, such as democracy
gime in the world today is more brutal
leader U Aung Min, have died in custody.
and benighted than the military dictatorship of
Now the United Nations and World Bank
Burma. That Southeast Asian nation has been
have floated the possibility of inducing the
condemned to live in poverty and fear by the
dictators to behave better by offering them
thuggish, drug-tainted, corrupt generals who
"carrots" such as $1 billion or more in loans if
wield power. The United Nations General
they enter a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Assembly recently adopted a resolution that
Shunned until now by private investors and
gives some sense of the scope of human rights
most aid donors, the junta could use the cash
abuse in Burma-including "extrajudicial and
(much of which would come, through the World
arbitrary executions, rape, torture, inhuman
Bank, from the U.S. government). The idea,
treatment, mass arrests, forced labor, forced
according to an account Thursday in the
relocation and denial of freedom of expression,
International Herald Tribune, is to call for
assembly, association and movement."
"step-by-step compromises from both the gov-
Burma's plight is all the more tragic because,
ernment and the opposition."
unlike many nations that have lived long under
That description tells you the pitfalls of the
dictatorship, it has a ready alternative. Aung
plan. What "compromises" should be induced
San Suu Kyi, daughter of Burma's hero of
from an opposition that is the legitimate govern-
post-colonial independence and herself a Nobel
ment but has been severely repressed for most
Peace laureate, heads a political party that
of a decade? How freely can a leader negotiate
overwhelmingly won an election in 1990. Re-
when she is forcibly isolated from family and
flecting just how out of touch they are with
advisers, threatened with exile, vilified in the
those they rule, the generals allowed the vote to
official press and made to feel responsible for
take place thinking that they could maintain
hundreds of supporters at risk in prison?
control. When Burma's voters had other ideas,
Burma is the world's chief source of heroin.
the generals refused to honor the results. Aung
Its officials tolerate and profit from drug traf-
San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest pretty
ficking. A top State Department official recently
much ever since.
said there is no point in spending anti-drug
This fall the dictatorship has turned the
money in Burma. "We have not found them to
screws even tighter. Since September, accord-
be reliable partners," Jonathan Winer said.
ing to Ambassador Betty King, the U.S. repre-
The same would be true of economic aid on a
sentative to the U.N. Economic and Social
larger scale. Under a legitimate and democratic
Council, nearly 1,000 opposition figures from
government, Burma wouldn't need much World
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for De-
Bank help; the country is blessed with abundant
mocracy and other parties have been detained.
natural resources and a literate, hard-working
The junta claimed that these people were not
population of 46 million. Under the current
being arrested but rather invited in to chat. But
rulers, any loans will further enrich the corrupt
hundreds have been forced to resign from
few. Long at the trough, they don't need any
opposition parties as a condition for release.
carrots from U.S. taxpayers.
Where to Store the E-Mail
W
HEN E-MAIL first came along, even
at the problem was a ruling that executive
those too skeptical to fall for promises
branch e-mails could be deleted if paper print-
about the "paperless office" thought it
outs had been made. It was properly rebuffed by
would make record keeping easier and more
the courts because so much information about
compact. The National Archives, having wres-
an e-mail is lost when it is printed out, including
tled for years with archiving government e-mail
when it was written and sent and who read it.
and having been sued several times, knows
The Archives' recent announcement that it
better. Electronic records, says a September
had endorsed a standard for electronic records
letter from Archivist John W. Carlin, "pose the
management arrived at by the Defense Depart-
biggest challenge ever to record keeping in the
ment is, therefore, a sign of modest progress.
federal government and elsewhere."
It's an outgrowth of an Archives decision to
The challenges are technical as well as
managerial and political. More and more gov-
consult with departments on the problems
emment departments use e-mail and electroni-
raised by their systems and the kinds of records
cally stored documents in their daily work, but
they generate. But the strategy also involves
they are on different systems. Periodic up-
encouraging other departments to adopt stan-
grades make matters worse, because docu-
dards that have been deemed workable, the
ments created or stored on one system are often
better to simplify the Archives' task of develop-
impossible to read or search on another. The
ing some form in which all government records
chaos is compounded when these records are
may someday be stored and searched.
transferred, as required by law, to the Archives,
How the government ends up storing its
which must keep "record copies" of all docu-
records for posterity also will help shap:- the
ments deemed significant-under laws written
approach of libraries and academic institutions.
when documents were created and filed on
The stakes in this project are as enormous as its
paper. The archivist's understandable first stab
daunting complexity.
The Washington Post
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30. 1998
On Sunday, however, the projected shortfall
And whose word were those officials accept-
number was more than quadrupled. The pro-
ing, he was asked? "That's a good question,"
jected deficit could be lower tomorrow, when
said Mr. MacLaury. But it is a terrible answer
updated numbers are produced for the coun-
from an official who replaced an elected school
cil's education committee. What is known,
board that also had failed to oversee a dysfunc-
however, is that millions of dollars of unbud-
tional school administration.
The Senate on the Budget
T
HE BUDGET resolution the Senate
for what would otherwise be the budget-bust-
adopted last week resists the tempta-
ing highway bill that Congress is passing. That
tion to spend money Congress doesn't
left both parties unhappy, even as they voted
have. That alone makes it an unusual and solid
with enthusiasm for the roads. Republicans
piece of work. It doesn't spend the widely
want to give a tax cut, and conservative
anticipated budget surplus that doesn't yet
Republican senators threatened to withhold
exist. Rather, the Republicans under Budget
their votes for the budget resolution until
Committee Chairman Pete Domenici yielded
Majority Leader Trent Lott agreed to try to
to the president's injunction that the surplus, if
make more room for a tax cut later in the
one materializes, be used to strengthen the
budget process. But the rules remain such that
government's future ability to finance Social
whatever cut they grant will have to be
Security benefits by paying down the debt.
financed, most likely by an offsetting increase.
Having. yielded to the president on the
What will it be?
surplus, Mr. Domenici then went him one
Likewise, the Democrats, led by the presi-
better and insisted that any cigarette tax
dent, complain that his initiatives were shut
increase be used to reduce the debt as well, as
out, as they were. But they too mostly voted
a way of banking it against the future cost of
for the highway bill, and the president didn't
Medicare. Some of this was tit for tat, since the
oppose it either. Even now he's reluctant to do
president, while walling off the surplus, had
so; he'd just like a little shaved off the top. A
wanted to use the cigarette proceeds to help
tax cut makes no sense just now. If anything,
finance his child-care program and other
as the likely future costs of Social Security and
domestic initiatives. But the cigarette tax
Medicare and such things as the highway bill
hasn't been enacted either, and it's bad policy
attest, the government already lacks the funds
to spend it in advance; the politicians mort-
to meet its obligations-to do what the
sage themselves to the tobacco companies if
country legitimately expects of it without
they do so.
lapsing once again into borrow-and-spend. As
With the surplus and the cigarette tax both
to whether highways or increased child-care
declared:off limits, the Budget Committee had
subsidies should come first, that's a fair
trouble coming up with much free money, and
enough debate to have in an election year.
just about every scrap it found was set aside
They just need to pay for what they choose.
Wasngton
Post
4/7/98
AN INITIATIVE'S FADING FORTUNES
By MARK MURRAY
y any standard, Jan. 7 was a
lion to fund work-study scholarships for
B
triumphant day for Presi-
college students. The recently passed
dent Clinton. Before a
Senate budget resolution, however, omit-
standing-room-only crowd
ted all of this increased education
at the White House, Clin-
money.
ton unveiled his $21.7 bil-
Also in trouble is Clinton's plan to
lion initiative to improve the quality,
allow early retirees-those between the
affordability and accessibility of child
ages of 55 and 64-to buy into Medicare.
care. His package included an increase in
Sen. John B. Breaux, D-La., Clinton's
the Child Care Development Block
choice to head a bipartisan commission
Grant, an expansion of tax deductions
on Medicare's future, has said it would
for low- and middle-income families, tax
be counterproductive for Congress to
breaks for businesses with day care facili-
consider Clinton's proposal at the same
ties and scholarship funds for child care
time the commission was trying to agree
providers.
on ways to keep Medicare solvent.
This proposal, the President pro-
When President Clinton announced
claimed, was "the single largest national
his child care proposal, its adoption
MICHAEL KHARFEN: The
commitment to child care in the history
appeared likely, because he tailored it
push for Clinton's child care
of the United States." Throughout the
with the Republican-controlled Congress
plan IS "definitely not over."
ceremony, the throng of child care advo-
in mind. There were block grants, tax
cates and Administration officials in
credits for families, tax breaks for busi-
attendance cheered and roared. Noth-
nesses and no national standards for
ing, it seemed, was going to obstruct the
child care regulation-things all dear to
President's plans for child care.
the hearts of Republicans. (See NJ,
What a difference three months make.
1/17/98, p. 126.) How could Republi-
An unresponsive Congress, questions
cans, the thinking went, ever reject an
about tobacco money, and the dark, hov-
initiative that looked like one of their
ering cloud of scandal have all imperiled
own?
Clinton's child care package. In fact, at a
But, so far, Republican members have
March 31 press conference outside the
hardly shown enthusiasm for the White
Capitol on child care, it was obvious that
House's child care plan. For one thing,
the once-jubilant mood among child care
they contend that the initiative largely
advocates and other supporters of the
favors working parents who send their
President had transformed into one of
kids to day care facilities, while it ignores
urgency and desperation. "There must
a favorite Republican constituency: stay-
be child care legislation this session," said
at-home moms. (See NJ, 1/24/98, b. 167.)
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.
Such an omission was a "miscalculation"
Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., repeated the
by the Clinton Administration, said
message: "We can't fail our working par-
Michael Franc, the vice president for gov-
ents.
The time is now."
ernment relations at the conservative
Child care isn't the only White House
Heritage Foundation.
domestic initiative in jeopardy, however.
Indeed, ever since Republicans made
In his fiscal 1999 budget, Clinton pro-
it an issue, supporting both working and
posed $22 billion in interest-free bond-
stay-at-home parents scems to be a bipar-
ing authority to build and improve
tisan goal. A resolution by Rep. William
school facilities, $1.1 billion to reduce
F. Goodling, R-Pa., which stressed that
classroom size and an additional $70 mil-
any child care initiative must consider
12
NATIONAL JOURNAL 4/11/98
parents who remain at home to care
the child care agenda, either. It has been
said Faith Wohl, the president of Child
their children, passed the House, 409-
difficult for the Administration to rally the
Care Action Campaign. In addition. the
on Feb. 11.
public behind the child care proposal and
bipartisan Congressional Caucus for
In addition. Republicans such as Sen.
launch a counteroffensive against its crit-
Women's Issues sent a March 31 letter to
arry E. Craig. R-Idaho, say that the pack-
ics-especially with Clinton ducking the
Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., urging pas-
:e gives government 100 big a role in
media and with key aides devoting their
sage of child care legislation.
ild care. The country is saying, Craig
time to scandal control. For Sen. Craig.
"We must listen to the concerns of
gues, that "we don't need the federal
the investigations into the President's SCX
America's working families and help them
overnment being namies." The Admin-
life, alleged obstruction of justice and
meet their child care needs," the letter
ration insists, however, that the Presi-
alleged perjury have rendered Clinton
stated, affirming commitments to better
ent's proposal-because it expands exist-
"but an echo on this issue right now."
quality. increased financial assistance for
g tax credits and block grants-is far
But perhaps more important than any-
low-income families, and lower taxes for
om the creation of a federal program.
thing else, passage of the President's child
both working families and stay-at-home
Ve're not talking about another huge
care package was always unrealistic, say
spouses.
deral bureaucracy," said Michael Khar-
11, spokesman at the Health and Human
ervices Department's Administration for
hildren and Families.
The Senate budget resolution that
assed along partisan lines, in fact, re-
ects the Republicans' discontent with
e child care proposal. Unlike the White
ouse initiative, which sets aside $7.5 bil-
on over the next five years in mandatory
ands to increase the block grant, the
enate budget blueprint has just $5 bil-
on in discretionary spending. And
efore that amount can even be used, the
enate Budget Committee's Democratic
aff points out, the Appropriations Com-
ittee will have to make offsetting reduc-
ons in other discretionary programs,
ich as those that support education and
re environment.
The Senate budget resolution includes
0 to $9 billion in tax breaks for all fami-
es to use for child care expenses. But
ecause this tax cut is nonrefundable,
gue Democrats, it would hardly help the
HELP FROM HILLARY: Despite
The Administration isn't giving up.
'W- and middle-income families Clinton's
the First Lady's public support, the
either. Ever since Judge Susan Webber
roposal intends to benefit.
child care initiative has faltered.
Wright dismissed Paula Jones's lawsuit
Helping to sidetrack the child care ini-
against Clinton on April 1, a reinvigorat-
ative has been tobacco. The White
some child care advocates and policy
ed President has been battling to keep
ouse suggested funding one-third of its
experts. According to Ellen Galinsky, pres-
child care and the rest of his domestic
21.7 billion package from last year's
ident of the Families and Work Institute,
agenda alive. For example, he recently
368.5 billion proposed tobacco settle-
the child care issue has never been popu-
attacked the Senate budget resolution.
ent, mainly as a way of increasing spend-
lar with Congress. "There was a sense of
arguing it "will squeeze out critical invest-
ig on domestic priorities without endan-
surprise in January," she said, but "now it
ments in education and children." He
ering last vear's balanced budget
is back to debate as usual."
also spent this week on the bully pulpit
greement. But Congress is moving in
And Stephen Hess, a senior fellow at
renterating his commitments to increased
nother direction. The Senate budget res-
the Brookings Institution, explains that
education funding. a tobacco settlement
lution earmarked any tobacco settlement
the prospects for Clinton's domestic agen-
and preserving Social Security.
roceeds that go to the federal govern-
da seemed promising at first only because
"It's definitely not over." said Kharfen.
nent for Medicare, and House Budget
Congress wasn't in session and wasn't able
"The past few years have certainly shown
ommittee chairman John R. Kasich. R-
to immediately pounce on his policies.
that you can never completely predict
Phio, says he wants to set aside those pro-
"What happened was a very shrewd build-
what is going to happen in the budget
eeds for tax cuts. There's even the
up to the State of the Union. [Clinton]
process."
hance that there won't be any tobacco
was having a proposal a day with a lot of
But with just a few dozen more sched-
noney-at least not anytime soon.
hoopla." In reality, he said, "there was
uled working days in Congress and with
.lthough Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has
more hype than it was really worth."
members eyeing the November elections.
rawn up a $506 billion tobacco bill. Sen-
Despite the gloomy ouflook, child care
time seems to be running out on Clin-
10 Majority Leader Trent Lou. R-Miss.,
advocates are blowing the battle horn to
ton's child care proposal. "Obviously, he's
as indicated that it may not come to a
do their part to get meaningful child care
going to start to see if he can regain the
ote this year.
funding passed. "Women's voices have 10
momentum." said Brookings's Hess. "The
And. of course, the world's introduc-
be heard, and those voices have 10 be
question is time: Can he do 11 at this stage
ion to Monica Lewinsky hasn't helped
angry and compelling and demanding,"
of the congressional cycle?"
Monday, March 16, 19
OTHER OPINION
More Mary Poppins-Type Nannies Are N
children in out-of-home care is rising.
MICHAEL D. KAPLAN
The future leaders of our country will
most likely spend a majority of their early
For too long, the debate has centered
n "Mary Poppins," Mr. Banks, upset
years in nonparental care. How is the care
I
over his children's naughty behavior,
that these children receive?
on whether day care is good or bad
advertises for a "nanny who can give
Research on day care in this country
for children. Mr. Banks asserts that the
commands." His requirements for a
has produced a shocking report card. The
"firm general" differ from his children's
quality of care in the majority of centers
future lies in the hands of a nanny. Now
yearnings for a sensitive, loving and play-
and family day care is poor to mediocre.
ful person to care for themrwhile their par-
Our youngest children are more likely
there is scientific credence to his claim.
ents go to work. The Banks hire a high-
than not to receive substandard care. In-
quality nanny, and the results speak for
fant/toddler care often does not meet min-
themselves. The Banks children thrive as
imal standards for health, safety, nurtu-
push for flexibility and accessibility but do
they are changed by the experience.
rance and stimulation. Children, left in the
not have the tools necessary to evaluate
Newly released research from the Fam-
care of others, are at risk. These findings
quality. Second, as long as the debate cen-
ilies and Work Institute provides scientif-
hold for private, nonprofit and public-sec-
ters on the very existence of day care
ic evidence to support this "Mary Pop-
tor care. Despite these findings, parents
rather than the quality of day care, money
pins" factor. That is, children who are
overrate the quality of care that their chil-
directed at raising standards of care re-
cared for by well-trained, sensitive care-
dren are receiving.
mains at the bottom of funding priorities.
givers, with favorable adult-child ratios,
On the other hand, centers and family
The debate is over. Recent federal re-
are in better shape than their peers. They
day-care programs rated high in quality
search has shown that children who re-
203 737
score higher on intelligence tests, are
lead to positive and lasting changes in SO-
ceive high-quality day care are no different
more attached to caregivers and have
cial, emotional and cognitive development.
from children raised at home. The chal-
fewer emotional and behavioral problems.
Quality obviously costs more, but not a lot
lenge to our country is not whether we
The institute's landmark project, the
more. In the Florida study, strengthened
should have day care for our youngest citi-
Florida Child Care Quality Improvement
regulations had almost no impact on con-
zens or whether the federal government
Study, continues to define what is needed
sumer costs. We know the ingredients that
should be in the business of day care, but
for children in day-care settings.
lead to high quality: better staff-to-child ra-
how well we can do it.
In his recently submitted budget, Presi-
tios, staff education, specialized training
Mr. Banks asserts that the future lies
dent Clinton called for a bold new initia-
and improved teacher wages..
in the hands of a nanny. The Families and
tive in the financing of day care. This call
For too long, the debate has centered on
Work Institute research provides scientif-
comes at a crucial moment. The day-care
whether day care is good or bad for chil-
ic credence to his claim. The proposed bill
movement has grown exponentially in the
dren. When we debate the merit of day
is a step in the right direction.
last decade. Two-thirds of children under 5
care, two things happen. First, parents be-
are in some form of child care. Nearly one-
come anxious about the choices they are
Michael D. Kaplan, M.D., is an assistant
half of all children under 1 are in child
making and do not advocate for changes in
professor of child psychiatry at Yale
care on a regular basis. And the number of
the system. Parents, as the consumers,
University's Child Study Center.
R
whether government can do something
get. In other words, every year Congress
to make that happen. If conservatives
would have to sit down and hash out
TRB
were really interested in expanding the
funding levels all over again. Given the
Clinton plan and making it a universal
general reluctance of a Republican-con-
child care program that offered financial
trolled Congress to shift vast amounts of
assistance to all needy parents of young
money from, say, corporate welfare to
children-doing, in essence, what some
child care, it seems unlikely that all or
European nations have done for years-
even most of the subsidies in Chafee's
their effort would not only be credible. It
bill would ever materialize. (Indeed, if all
would be laudable.
the Republicans really wanted was to uni-
Trouble is, providing such universal
versalize child care, they'd endorse an
FROM WASHINGTON
assistance gets very expensive, and-sur-
even more ambitious plan from Dodd.
prise!-the conservatives don't really
His preserves the essentials of the presi-
want to spend the money. To finance the
dent's plan but also extends modest tax
kind of tax relief Republicans are talking
relief to at-home parents. Of course, it
Who cares?
about-without sacrificing elements of
costs $30 billion.)
the Clinton plan that would improve day
As part of their child care push, Re-
care quality-it would cost well in excess
publicans have also been promoting re-
Despite its hefty $21.7 billion price tag,
of Clinton's $22 billion over five years,
form of laws governing flexible work
President Clinton's ambitious child care
which the Republicans have al-
hours. This is a sensible impulse,
proposal seemed incontestable when he
ready said is more than they
helping many middle-income
introduced it last month. Here, after all,
can stomach. (The Chafee
parents rearrange their sched-
was a plan that sought to help both the
plan, by contrast, costs just
ules to accommodate chil-
working poor, by giving them child care
$11 billion.) And if the idea
dren. But most such propo-
subsidies, and the middle class, by offer-
is to help low-income fami-
sals also make it easier for
ing them tax breaks on child care ex-
lies as well, the tax credit
companies to avoid paying
penses. Surely Republicans would not
would have to be refund-
overtime. This tends to
dare oppose an idea geared toward chil-
able-meaning you could
hurt-you guessed it-low-
dren and one that so strongly appealed
collect the money as a subsidy
income Americans, who fre-
to women during an election year.
if you were too poor to pay taxes
quently rely on overtime pay
But the right soon found a way out of
in the first place. But Republicans
simply to make rent and buy food.
Clinton's clever trap. The Clinton plan
say they're not interested in refundable
It's possible to imagine a grand com-
offers no benefits to parents who stay
credits, either, because of the cost. In
promise-a bargain that would spread
home with their kids rather than work;
short, conservatives want it both ways.
equal benefits to parents who work and
conservatives seized on this, and cited
They don't wish to penalize at-home
parents who don't, one that would help
it as proof that the president's plan was
mothers, but they're also unwilling to
families at all income levels and one that
antifamily. "Some fundamental questions
spend what it would take to give substan-
would do it all for a reasonable price. But
need to be asked about the importance
tial child care assistance to everyone who
when you divide the money among that
of the mother-child attachment, particu-
needs it. How fair is that?
many people, you have to wonder, just
larly in the very early months and years,"
Of course, conservatives who oppose
how much good is it doing? The fact is, a
Senator Daniel Coats, a Republican from
the Clinton plan deny any such ploys. "I
few extra hundred dollars given out to
Indiana, told The Washington Post. "Do we
understand there are budgetary con-
every parent is unlikely to enable many
want to encourage the kind of child care
straints, but why don't we look at spend-
people to give up their jobs altogether.
the president is encouraging?" Soon, a
ing a similar amount of dollars and ben-
But if we target the assistance to parents
group of moderate Senate Republicans
efiting everybody?" asks a reasonable-
who are working-parents who, in most
led by Rhode Island's John Chafee intro-
sounding Amy Myers of the Family Re-
cases, don't have much choice-each par-
duced an alternative that-unlike the
search Council. It's a fair question, but
ent might receive enough money to offset
president's proposal-promised tax ben-
it's one conservatives might want to ask
the cost of child care enough to work
efits for all families, even when one par-
Republican lawmakers first. After all, the
fewer hours (and spend more time with
ent stays home.
Chafee plan doesn't benefit "everybody"
their kids). As for those who couldn't
What rich irony. Not so long ago, con-
any more than the president's. In fact,
reduce their hours, they might at least
servatives were braying about how we
it conspicuously skimps on benefits for
afford better care. "I don't want to turn
need to force lazy stay-at-home welfare
the one group-the working poor-who
this into a mommy war between those
mothers to get jobs. What's more, not one
arguably need it most.
who want to stay at home and those who
Republican senator has endorsed a pro-
Here's why. Although Chafee magnan-
don't have a choice," says Dodd. "If you're
posal by Connecticut Democrat Christo-
imously proposes an increase in the child
fortunate enough that you can make that
pher Dodd to extend the Family and
care block grant, which directly subsi-
choice, you shouldn't be trying to deprive
Medical Leave Act to companies with at
dizes child care for the poor (who, again,
someone who has no such choice."
least 25 employees. Apparently, it's impor-
don't benefit from nonrefundable tax
This is, of course, a politically haz-
tant to make sure parents stay home for
credits), his increase is less generous
ardous argument to make: The role of
three years but not for twelve weeks.
than Clinton's-$5 billion instead of
women in the workplace is an issue about
Yet putting such contradictions aside,
$7.5 billion. More importantly, the in-
which Americans still feel profoundly
there's a strong element of truth in what
crease comes solely from discretionary
ambivalent. But, as conservatives are so
the conservatives are saying. For too long,
funds. Unlike mandatory spending,
fond of arguing, when it comes to chil-
the contentious debate over whether
which Clinton uses in his plan and essen-
dren, good policy should always trump
working mothers are bad mothers has
tially turns a program into an entitle-
good politics. And all things considered,
overshadowed the equally important
ment, discretionary money must be ap-
Clinton's plan is pretty good policy.
question of whether children need more
proved during the appropriations pro-
ttention from mothers and fathers, and
cess, even after it's authorized in the bud-
JONATHAN COHN
NEW REPUBLIC FEBRUARY 23, 1998
Administration
THE DIVIDE OVER DAY CARE
BY BEN WILDAVSKY
iven the continuing ambiv-
"And I think the debate will be fought on
G
alence that Americans feel
that ground." She cites a December NBC
about the large-scale entry
News/Wall Street Journal poll in which 42
RICHARD A. BLOOM
of women into the work-
per cent of adults called the trend of more
force, it's no surprise that
mothers working outside the home "a step
President Clinton kicked
in the wrong direction," compared with 31
off considerable debate this month when
per cent who called it "a step in the right
he unveiled a $21.7 billion day care pro-
direction" and 20 per cent who said it
posal that he termed "the single largest
made no difference.
national commitment to child care in the
There is no question that the entry of
history of the United States."
large numbers of mothers into the U.S.
Social conservatives are portraying Clin-
labor force is a sociological sea change
ton's child care plan as the latest strike by
that's all the more remarkable for the
big-government forces in America's cul-
speed with which it has taken place. A cou-
ture wars. Republicans, joined by some
ple of years after World War II, 27 per cent
centrist Democrats, complain that the
of women with children between the ages
Administration is favoring working moth-
of 6 and 17 were in the workforce-which
ers over their stay-at-home counterparts by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
proposing tax relief for parents who use
defines as working or looking for work.
BRUCE REED: "We're the first
paid day care. Seizing on an economic-pol-
Fifty years later, that figure had risen to 78
to admit we can't solve every
icy truism, they note that if you subsidize
per cent. Women with children under 6,
problem at once."
something, you are likely to get more of it.
the main users of child care, have always
White House officials counter that the
worked less than women with older chil-
President has already signed plenty of leg-
dren, but their labor force participation
islation that helps all families, from the
has seen an even more dramatic
Family and Medical Leave Act to the $500-
increase-from 12 per cent in 1947 to 65
per-child tax credit in last year's budget
per cent in 1997.
deal. Not every initiative, they say, can be
But social conservatives argue that the
all things to all people. "We're the first to
reality of women's labor force participa-
admit that we can't solve every problem at
tion is more complex than advocates of
once," said Bruce Reed, the President's
day care funding realize. "There are a lot
domestic policy adviser, in an interview.
of shades of gray out there," said William
"Our child care initiative is meant to help
Mattox, a senior policy analyst at the Fami-
parents deal with the reality that most of
ly Research Council. "It's a big mistake for
them either have to-or have chosen to-
people to look at this as a black-and-white
work." When the President signed last
thing" in which a monolithic bloc of work-
year's child credit into law, Reed noted,
ing mothers far outnumbers the bloc of
"nobody said
that we were going to
nonworking mothers.
have more children as a result."
For one thing, a substantial portion of
Still, there's evidence that Americans,
employed mothers of preschoolers work
both men and women, are troubled about
part-time-about three in 10. And many
the growing number of mothers in the
mothers of young children don't work
labor force. "People have reservations
outside the home at all. Among Ameri-
about more mothers with young children
can women with children under 6,
working," said public opinion analyst Kar-
according to March 1997 BLS data, 35
lyn H. Bowman of the American Enter-
per cent didn't work, 5 per cent were
prise Institute for Public Policy Research.
unemployed, slightly more than 18 per
1/24/98 NATIONAL JOURNAL 167
cent worked part-time, and almost 42 per
standards that have spelled death for previ-
the results uncertain. "We couldn't figure
cent worked full-time.
ous child care proposals (see NJ, 1/17/98, p.
out a way, other than what we've already
Another way of slicing the data is to look
126). And its central features-expanded
done, to create enough of a financial incen-
at the proportion of children in day care
block grants to states to subsidize child care
tive," First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
rather than the percentage of mothers who
for low-income families, increased tax cred-
told Newsweek recently. "It takes a lot of
work. A Census Bureau report released on
its to help low- and middle-income families
money to offer $250 a year, which is not
Jan. 14 found that in the fall of 1994 about
pay for child care, and a new tax credit for
going to change behavior."
half of the 10.3 million preschoolers whose
businesses that provide child care for
Still, it's clear the Administration is pre-
mothers worked were cared for by family
employees-combine federalism and tar-
pared to negotiate. "We are genuinely open
members. The other half were cared for
geted tax cuts, two favorite Republican poli-
to any affordable suggestion," Reed said.
either by nonrelatives or in organized day
cy approaches.
"Most of the suggestions that have been put
care facilities. There were about 20 million
Indeed, some Republicans are warning
forward are big across-the-board tax cuts
children under 5 in the United States at
one another not to be drawn into what they
that would spend money we don't have. But
that time.
believe is an Administration trap designed
if there's a way to provide targeted help,
Overall, then, almost half of all
to provoke them into obstructing popular
we're certainly open to it."
preschoolers had nonworking mothers and
initiatives. "There are a significant number
Conservatives say they believe the child
another quarter were cared for by family
of working women with children who also
care debate kicked off by the President's
members, an arrangement that in most
are part of the Republican coalition, and a
new proposal could prove to be a replay of
cases is unpaid. So only about 25-30 per
part of the critical swing group necessary to
the one that took place in the late 1980s.
cent of the preschool population would be
win elections," said GOP pollster Linda A.
Then, Democrats' and Republicans' differ-
eligible for the child care tax credits pro-
DiVall. "Republican leaders need to be very
ing views on child care policy resulted in a
posed by the Administration. "The funda-
careful that by their message they don't
compromise: a 1990 law that created two
mental mistake that [Clinton] has made is
appear only to be talking to nonworking
state child care block grant programs, along
in denying any sort of assistance to families
women or suburban housewives. Young work-
with an expansion of the earned-income tax
that care for their own children, because
ing women do have a desire for day care."
credit for low-income working families.
that will violate a fundamental sense of fair-
So far, Republicans and centrist Demo-
William A. Galston, a former Clinton
ness," Mattox said.
crats are pushing a variety of alternatives to
Administration domestic policy adviser
Democratic pollsters are confident that
the Clinton plan that they say have the
who's now the director of the Institute for
the Administration's child care plan will go
virtue of helping all families with young
Philosophy and Public Policy at the Univer-
down well with the public. Even though a sub-
children, whether or not they use paid day
sity of Maryland (College Park), agreed that
stantial number of women stay home when
care. These include increasing the $500-
Republicans may succeed in adding some
their children are young, many later return
per-child tax credit passed in last year's bal-
general tax relief for families with young
to the workforce, noted Jennifer A. Sosin of
anced budget bill and making it easier for
children to whatever child care legislation
the Democratic polling firm Lake, Sosin,
workers to take compensatory time off in
emerges this year. "I can see the making of
Snell, Perry and Associates. "Most families
lieu of paid overtime.
a grand bargain here, where both parties
with children at some point are going to
White House officials say they'd like to
manage to agree with the American people
have to deal with child care issues," she said.
find ways to help stay-at-home parents, but
that families with dependent children are
Clinton's plan avoids the kind of national
they note that the costs would be high and
hard-pressed," he said.
WORK WD ( HILD ARE
MOTHER WORKFORCE
PRES CHOOLERS WITH WORKING MOTHERS
80%
of
There entage al-mothers who
Pacilities
70
(amatically
60
50
With children
Family
40
under 18
members
49%
30
Organized
facilities
20
29%
With children
10
under 6
0
Source of care of preschoolers with employed mothers
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995
168 NATIONAL JOURNAL 1/24/98
Robin J. Bachman
02/09/98 11:55:13
AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Neera Tanden/WHO/EOP, Jennifer L. Klein/OPD/EOP, Nicole R. Rabner/WHO/EOP
CC:
Subject: Don't know if you saw this
On Wednesday the House will consider (under a suspension of the rules), Voter Eligibility Verification
(H.R.1428), Daycare Fairness for Stay-At-Home Parents (H.Con.Res. 202), and National Sea
Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1997 (S. 927). The House will also consider a
Resolution Regarding the Contested Election in the 46th Congressional District of California.
Bill Tracking Report HCR 202
1998 Bill Tracking H. Con. Res. 202; 105 Bill Tracking H. Con. Res. 202
EQUITABLE CHILD CARE RESOLUTION
EQUITABLE CHILD CARE RESOLUTION
DATE-INTRO: January 27, 1998
LAST-ACTION-DATE January 27, 1998
STATUS: Pending
SPONSOR: Representative William F. Goodling R-PA
TOTAL-COSPONSORS: 15 Cosponsors: 0 Democrats / 15 Republicans
SYNOPSIS: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the
Federal Government should acknowledge the importance of at-home parents and
should not discriminate against families who forego a second income in order for
a mother or father to be at home with their children.
ACTIONS: Committee Referrals:
01/27/98 House Education and the Workforce Committee
Legislative Chronology:
1st Session Activity:
2nd Session Activity:
01/27/98 144 Cong Rec E 3
Remarks by Rep. Goodling
01/27/98 144 Cong Rec H 63 Referred to the House Education and the
Workforce Committee
BILL-DIGEST: (from the CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE)
CRS Index Terms:
Children
Budgets
Caregivers
Child care block grants
Day care
Families
Parent and child
State and local government
CO-SPONSORS: Original Cosponsors:
Blunt R-MO
Bunning R-KY
Cook R-UT
Gallegly R-CA
Greenwood R-PA
Hefley R-CO
Johnson R-CT
Largent R-OK
Pitts R-PA
Shuster R-PA
Snowbarger R-KS
Wolf R-VA
Added 01/28/98:
Aderholt R-AL
McKeon R-CA
Riggs R-CA
LEVEL 1 - 2 OF 2 REFERENCES
FULL TEXT OF BILLS
105TH CONGRESS; 2ND SESSION
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE
H. CON. RES. 202
1998 H. Con. Res. 202; 105 H. Con. Res. 202
<=1> Retrieve Bill Tracking Report
SYNOPSIS:
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should
acknowledge the importance of at-home parents and should not discriminate
against families who forego a second income in order for a mother or father to
be at home with their children.
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: JANUARY 27, 1998
DATE OF VERSION: JANUARY 28, 1998 -- VERSION: 1
H. CON. RES. 202 JANUARY 28, 1998 -- VERSION: 1
SPONSOR(S):
Mr. GOODLING (for himself, Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut, Mr. GREENWOOD,
Mr. COOK, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. WOLF, Mr. HEFLEY, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. PITTS, Mr.
SNOWBARGER, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. LARGENT, and Mr. BUNNING) submitted the
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce
TEXT:
Whereas studies have found that quality child care, particularly for
infants and young children, requires a sensitive, interactive, loving,
and consistent caregiver;
Whereas most parents meet and exceed the aforementioned criteria,
circumstances allowing, parental care marks the best form of child
care;
Whereas the recent National Institute for Child Health and Development
study found that the greatest factor in the development of a young
child is "what is happening at home and in families";
Whereas a child's interaction with his or her parents has the most
significant impact on their development, any Federal child care policy
should enable and encourage parents to spend more time with their
children;
Whereas 48 percent of mothers with preschool children under the age of 5
H. CON. RES. 202 JANUARY 28, 1998 -- VERSION:
1
are full-time at-home parents and another 34 percent of mothers work
part-time in order to spend more time with their preschool children;
Whereas a large number of low- and middle-income families sacrifice a
second full-time income so that the mother may be at home with her
child;
Whereas the average income of 2-parent families with a single income is
$20,000 less than the average income of 2-parent families with two
incomes;
Whereas only 30 percent of preschool children are in paid child care and
the remaining 70 percent of preschool children are in families that do
not pay for child care, many of which are low- to middle-income
families struggling to provide child care at home;
Whereas child care proposals should not provide financial assistance
solely to the 30 percent of families that pay for child care and should
not discriminate against families in which children are cared for by an
at-home parent; and
Whereas any congressional proposal that increases child care funding
should provide financial relief to families that sacrifice an entire
income in order that a mother or father may be at home for their young
child: Now, therefore, be it
*
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
*That the Congress recognizes that-
H. CON. RES. 202 JANUARY 28, 1998
-- VERSION: 1
(1) many American families make enormous sacrifices to forego a
second income in order to have a parent care for their child at home;
(2) there should be no bias toward at-home parents;
(3) child care assistance, when provided to families, should be
provided regardless of whether a child is cared for by an at-home
parent, family member, neighbor, or child care center;
(4) a key component to any quality child care proposal should
include financial relief for those families where there is an at-home
parent; and
(5) mothers and fathers who have chosen and continue to choose to
be at home should be applauded for their efforts.
TANDEN N @ A1
02/05/98 07:21:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Jennifer L. Klein, Nicole R. Rabner, Neera Tanden
CC:
Subject: DODD, IN AN ELECTION YEAR, FACES OBSTACLES TO FAMILY LEAVE
Date: 02/05/98 Time: 17:51
FDodd, in an election year, faces obstacles to family leave
WASHINGTON (AP) On the fifth anniversary of the Family and
Medical Leave Act, its chief author said more workers should be
covered by the law's guarantee of unpaid time off to care for a new
child or sick relative.
This is a very popular idea," Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.,
said Thursday. He wants to expand the law to bring in businesses
with at least 25 employees, down from the current threshold of 50.
That would cover another 13 million workers.
But Dodd acknowledged that convincing his colleagues would be
tough.
It took years to muster enough votes in Congress to pass the
original law. It was vetoed twice by then-President George Bush, a
Republican, before President Clinton signed it in a Rose Garden
ceremony just two weeks after taking office.
Today, some of the bill's original opponents are still in
Congress, including the Senate Republican leader, Trent Lott of
Mississippi.
And there is opposition from business. John Satagaj, president
of the Small Business Legislative Council, said it would be
difficult for many small companies to meet the law's requirements.
Requests for unusual benefits, such as lengthy time-off, are
usually handled on a case-by-case basis, he said.
We're not convinced that the problem is widespread," he said.
Employees may find out that their employer is less flexible than
they were before this law was imposed."
The family leave law allows workers up to 12 weeks unpaid leave
after the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for their own or
a family member's serious illness. About 12 million workers took
advantage of benefits offered by the law from January 1994 through
June 1995, according to a commission created by Congress.
Dodd is aiming to expand the law as part of a larger initiative
on child care, a White House priority. More than 40 child care
bills have been introduced by Republicans and Democrats in recent
months.
To mark the fifth anniversary of family leave, Dodd held a news
conference with officials of the Adams National Bank, a Washington
bank that started its own leave policy in 1977 as a small business.
It now has more than 50 workers.
Small businesses should not fear this," Barbara Blum, the
bank's president, said. ``It brings into the workforce people who
stay with you."
APNP-02-05-98 1801EST
BREAD CIRCUSES
ing child-care workers, and providing
referral services-amenities generally
feasible only for large corporations. To
the extent that this makes big firms
more attractive to workers, it could lure
them away from small firms in a tight
Yuppie Care
labor market.
Supporters of the Clintons' day-care
scheme say all the spending is necessary
because the 1996 welfare reform is
D
URING a radio debate last
oring for better day care-hence Mrs.
pushing welfare mothers into the work-
week, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D.,
Clinton's reference to a "silent crisis."
force. But the welfare-reform bill in-
Calif.) told me that she enthu-
Polls show that what working moth-
cluded $22 billion in child-care funding,
siastically supports Bill and Hillary Clin-
ers do want is to work fewer hours in
and last year's balanced-budget deal
ton's $22-billion federal day-care initia-
order to spend more time with their
provided the states with another $3 bil-
tive because she had a premature baby a
children. But the Clintons' initiative has
lion. This is in addition to the large sur-
few years ago and had some trouble
nothing to do with what's good for chil-
pluses states are enjoying as a result of
finding a babysitter. Mrs. Tauscher was
dren or appealing to parents. They real-
declining welfare rolls.
elected to Congress in 1996, spending
ly believe that "it takes a village to raise
Meanwhile, the biggest problem fac-
$1.7 million of her own money to de-
a child"-but a village not of
ing families with young children is that
feat an incumbent Republican.
friends and relatives, but of ex-
government takes about 40 per cent of
With a fraction of her personal
perts. Hence, the most di-
their paycheck. They can't expect any
war chest, she could have hired
rect benefits in the Clinton
meaningful relief so long as they are
a neo-natal team from San
proposal go to the
caught up in Washington's perpetual
Francisco General to care
day-care lobby, the
spending cycle: family budgets are
for her child. But she be-
National Education
stretched thinner and thinner as taxes
lieves that her tale bolsters
Association, big busi-
inch up; Congress responds by helping
her case. In the brief time
ness, and career women.
with housing, health care, or education
she has spent in Washing-
And President Clinton is
costs; and taxes inch up some more to
ton so far, Rep. Tauscher
willing to spend liberally-in
pay for it.
has learned how policy is really
both senses of the word-on all
Because the Clinton plan responds to
made. Despite stacks of studies and
these constituencies. The new spending
a manufactured need it is more vulnera-
discs of data, legislation typically amounts
over five years would include: a $7.5-
ble than many Republicans think. None-
to government by anecdote.
billion increase for the child-care block
theless, some of them are already pro-
The coming day-care debate is partic-
grant, a $5.2-billion addition to the
viding cover for the Administration.
ularly liable to the personal-ordeal para-
dependent-care tax credit, $500 million
digm. Washington, D.C., has the coun-
in tax credits for employers, $800 mil-
R
EP. Constance Morella (R.,
try's highest percentage of families with
lion for after-school programs, $6.8 bil-
Md.) attended the White
both parents working. Their experience
lion for new and old early-childhood-
House conference at which the
tells them that parents with young chil-
education programs, and $850 million
day-care proposals were unveiled. Rep.
dren either want to pursue their careers
to professionalize day-care workers. We
Deborah Pryce (R., Ohio), meanwhile,
at all costs, or must work to keep the
can only imagine the kind of spending a
hit a cautious note in responding to Mr.
wolf from the door (actually, to keep
noisy crisis would entail.
Clinton on behalf of the GOP leader-
the BMW in the drive). While there is
The majority of families with children
ship. She explained that she was pleased
no evidence of a national problem cry-
will not get a dime of these funds-be-
that the President had resisted "the urge
ing out for a federal solution, lawmakers
cause they don't use professional day
to have the Federal Government control
and their aides will generalize from their
care. Instead, because of the tax credit,
child care." This is the kind of opposi-
own situations to justify legislation.
less affluent one-earner families (median
tion the White House must love.
Life outside the Beltway is, as- in
income: $39,000) will be subsidizing
Sen. Larry Craig (R., Idaho) offers
other matters, quite different. Nation-
the day-care costs for generally more af-
much sharper criticism on behalf of his
wide, more than three-quarters of pre-
fluent (median income: $58,000) two-
Senate Republican Policy Committee.
school-aged children have mothers who
earner couples.
Sen. Craig opposes the plan as an un-
do not work outside the home, or who
When challenged about the White
warranted federal intrusion that dis-
do so only part-time. Relatives take care
House's failure to provide assistance to
criminates against the great majority of
of roughly half of children whose moth-
mothers who stay at home, Bruce Reed,
parents in favor of institutional pro-
ers are employed outside the home.
the President's domestic-policy advisor,
viders. Republicans would do well to
Controlling for inflation, the cost of day
responded defensively: The President
pick up this line, and to use an anecdote
care hasn't increased over the past twen-
would like to help parents at home but
of their own: Danielle Crittenden re-
ty years despite increased demand (which
he lacks the money to do so. Reed sure-
ports that many humane societies will
has leveled off in recent years), and
ly would say that the President would
not permit a couple to adopt a dog or
working parents report that they are sat-
like to help small businesses as well. But
cat if they both work full-time. If only
isfied with the day care their children
the proposed new business tax credits
Washington had similar solicitude for
receive. Working parents are not clam-
are for setting up on-site facilities, train-
America's children. -KATE O'BEIRNE
FEBRUARY 9, 1998 / NATIONAL REVIEW
21
COMMENTARY
By Keith H. Hammonds
CLINTON'S CHILD-CARE CONFERENCE: JUST CHATTER?
n March, acting on a tip, county in-
Pick an issue beyond reproach, re-
child-care and early-education funding
spectors visited the Milwaukee
babble the obvious, and hope people
to $255 million, from $37 million four
home of Dana Jones. As an un-
forget about campaign finance for a
years ago. Indiana has brought togeth-
licensed child-care provider, Jones
while. Hard choices or financial com-
er county-based teams of businesses,
was allowed by state law to look af-
mitments? Not likely.
educators, providers, and community
ter three kids under age 7. Yet the
There are two straightforward
groups to fund provider training.
inspectors that day found at least 34
ways to fix the child-care mess, and
But such programs, though grow-
children, some playing outside, some
both require a lot of money. We can
ing, don't nearly meet the need.
in sleeping bags, and four babies un-
reduce demand, limiting the damage
Some 20 states, for example, allow
supervised. One child was lying be-
that reckless caregivers cause to
infant-to-caregiver ratios above the
neath a sink, apparently for punish-
kids. Or we can expand and improve
4-to-1 recommended by the National
ment. Remarkably, though, Jones's
supply-putting 10 more child-care
Association for the Education of
operation, first exposed in the Mil-
workers on Jones's block, training
Young Children, an accrediting
waukee Journal Sen-
group; Wisconsin, in
tinel, wasn't shut
fact, recently loosened
down. In fact, she re-
its standard. Lower-
gained county certifica-
ing the ratios would
tion within four
raise costs, as would
months.
mandating teacher
So it goes in the un-
training beyond the 8
derfunded, barely regu-
to 15 hours common
lated system that looks
in many centers.
after 12 million chil-
FIXING IT. Researchers
dren under age 6. By
estimate that meeting
some accounts, a ma-
the Association's stan-
jority of American kids
dards would cost up
in day care spend hours
to $8,500 annually per
in settings that lack
child. Currently par-
appropriate educational
ents pay an average
stimulation, safety, and
of $3,700 per child;
security. This when re-
through subsidies, tax
cent studies indicate in-
credits, and the like,
tellectual and emotional
government chips in
capacities are shaped
BUILDING THE FUTURE
them thoroughly, paying
$1,000 on average. The funding
most in the first three
them better, and holding
gap-and overall need for day care-
years of life. "People
It'll take more than
them to strict child-to-care-
both likely will grow in the next five
basically are ignoring
talk. The national
giver ratios.
years as low-income mothers move
kids," says Anne Arne-
bill for more
Of the two, cutting de-
off the welfare rolls. In all, the tab
son, director of the
mand is the more political-
to right child care easily could top
Wisconsin Council on
caregivers, better
ly tenuous. Heritage Foun-
$10 billion a year.
Children & Families.
training, and
dation analyst Patrick
To be fair, the Administration has
SUPPLY SIDE. What to
higher pay could
Fagan advocates extending
some ideas about increasing federal
do in the face of such
subsidies and tax credits to
subsidies to parents and businesses
need? If you're in the
top $10 billion yearly
families when a parent
as well as creating scholarships for
White House, you host
chooses to look after kids
child-care researchers. "It doesn't
a conference. On Oct. 23, Bill and
at home. "It's bad policy to tilt
take much to improve quality, and
Hillary Rodham Clinton were set to
things toward child care only for
we don't need to invent a new sys-
host 130 legislators, care providers,
working mothers," he says. Such a
tem," Hillary Clinton told reporters
and child-development experts, all of
plan could make a difference for
on Oct. 22. But the First Lady was
them ready to agree on why good
some low-income couples, but pay-
sugarcoating the problem: It will
child care matters and how to get
ments would have to be massive to
take a lot to improve the quality of
people to pay for it.
keep single parents at home.
the nation's child care and access to
Ah, good, another conference.
As for fixing child-care supply,
it. Most likely, she knows that Wash-
When the Clintons host a confab,
there are many models. Among the
ington-like business and parents-
chances are that (a) the topic will
states, Florida has allocated $4 million
hasn't the stomach for the big spend-
compel, (b) the discussion will be
to a pool that will match employers'
ing that true solutions require.
sober, and (c) not much will come of
subsidies to workers. Georgia has
it. This is social policy, Clinton style:
used lottery revenues to increase
Hammonds covers social issues.
46 BUSINESS WEEK / NOVEMBER 3 1997
News: Analysis & Commentary
BASEBALL
and attendance has cratered
then. Pohlad says he can't
better players because he gets
BOTTOM OF
cut of Metrodome parking, con
cessions, and stadium advertising.
THE NINTH
Pohlad, 82, swears he doesn't
want to sell: "No one wants
The Twins could be the first
to keep baseball in Minnesota
more than I do." But on Oct. 3,
MLB team to move in 25 years
he signed a letter of intent to
sell the club to Beaver for an
C
arl Pohlad, the billionaire banker
estimated $130 million to $150
who owns the Minnesota Twins, says
million.
he's tired of covering $10 million to
The Twins candidly concede
$12 million in losses each year. If the
that the agreement was designed
state legislature doesn't approve a $400
OUTTA THERE? The team will stay only if
to force the issue-to get Min-
million publicly financed ballpark, Pohlad
Minnesota bankrolls a new stadium
nesota to follow other states that
says that he'll accept an offer to sell the
have found the money to retain
team to investors who would move the
vote on, the thought of throwing tax dol-
home teams. "We've been told that noth-
Twins to North Carolina (BW-Apr. 7).
lars at Pohlad to keep the cellar-dwelling
ing will happen until we get to the edge
If the Twins migrate, it will be the
Twins in town gets blood boiling. In fact,
of the cliff," says Twins President Jerry
first time a Major League club has relo-
a recent poll shows overwhelming oppo-
Bell. "We're at the edge of the cliff."
cated since the Washington Senators be-
sition to publicly financing a new ball-
If the legislature can't come up with a
came the Texas Rangers in 1972. But
park. "Wherever I am, on the street, at
deal for Pohlad by Nov. 30, the sale to
the North Carolina group headed by Don
the store, they're yelling at me, 'Don't
Beaver goes forward-pending approval
Beaver, who owns 10% of the Pittsburgh
give in to those billionaires," says State
by Major League Baseball. Beaver would
Pirates and five minor league clubs, ap-
Representative Kris Hasskamp.
keep the club in Minneapolis for a year
pears to have significant support among
Pohlad bought the Twins in 1984 for
and then move to North Carolina, leaving
the Lords of Baseball. And in Minnesota,
$36 million and bagged World Series ti-
behind the first city to say "Enough!"
where the legislature has had trouble
tles in 1987 and 1991. But the team just
to baseball's demanding owners.
even crafting a stadium-financing bill to
finished its fifth-straight losing season,
By Justin Catanoso in Minneapolis
HOLLYWOOD
That figure, according to Katzenberg's
quitting while his contract still had a
filing, starts at $250 million. But ac-
two-year option.
cording to documents filed in a Califor-
One Katzenberg confidant says the
THAT DARN
nia state court, Katzenberg's lawyers
claim could exceed $400 million. But
say he is also owed money from "all
that could be just the beginning of the
KATZENBERG
forms of exploitation." His lawyers have
damage, says Ladenburg, Thalmann &
asked for figures on everything from a
Co. banker Porter Bibb. "This could
The ex-chief's demands on
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? theme-park
blow the lid off Disney and show just
ride to the Broadway Beauty and the
what a money machine it is," he says.
Disney could hit $400 million
Beast-and even on the Mighty Ducks
"What do you do if you're negotiating
hockey team. Disney argues that
with a star or a toy company and they
A
round Hollywood, folks are look-
Katzenberg forfeited any such bonus by
know just how profitable you are?"
ing forward to Nov. 18, when
one of the juiciest shows of the
WHO'S LAUGHING NOW?
Oddly enough, the executive
(TOP TO-BOTTOM) PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK DUNCAN/AP/WIIDE WORLD B. LITTLE/SYGMA EVERETT COLLECTION
who may play the biggest role
season will open. On that date, Walt
Katzenberg is suing for
is Wells, who died in a heli-
Disney Chairman Michael D. Eisner
a piece of the profits from
copter crash five months before
and his former studio chief, Jeffrey
such studio blockbusters
Katzenberg quit. Wells negoti-
Katzenberg, will meet in a Los Angeles
ated Katzenberg's 1988 con-
courtroom to play out the latest act in
as The Lion King
tract. Using what Katzenberg
their bitter feud. Katzenberg
intimates call "a smoking-gun
quit in a 1994 blowup-after
memo" said to be written by
Eisner wouldn't name him
Wells and supporting the ex-
president to succeed the late
chief's contentions, Katzenberg's
Frank G. Wells. Katzenberg
side staged-and won-a pair
then sued over his exit pack-
of mock trials in September. "If
age, leading to this showdown.
there is a smoking-gun memo, I
Even by Tinseltown stan-
don't know about it," retorts
dards, the payoff could be epic.
Disney lead attorney Louis M.
Katzenberg's suit seeks 2% of
Meisinger. "He can take the
the profits from the films and
mock jury to his mock bank ac-
TV shows he put into produc-
count." Just the kind of script
tion between 1984 and 1994:
Hollywood loves.
His lawyers say this money
By Ronald Grover
was promised in his contract.
in Los Angeles
48 BUSINESS WEEK / NOVE MBER 3. 1997
U.S. NEWS
plan. But in a private meeting, chief Clin-
ton administration lobbyist John Hilley
told Lott that Democrats would no longer
Workfare
accept conditions they considered anti-
union. Hilley's turnabout so angered the
normally composed GOP leader that the
meeting disintegrated into a profane
shouting match and Lott stalked out.
Mary
Silent White House. Still, some Demo-
crats are uneasy about defending the sev-
erance-pay provision and gripe privately
that labor's stand is untenable. Even pro-
labor New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moy-
Poppins
nihan cautions that unions shouldn't
"close down the enterprise on which they
Should welfare
survive." Moynihan has harsh words for
the White House, which has been all but
moms take care of
silent on Amtrak since the summer. In-
side the administration the issue has
other people's kids?
been overseen primarily by political oper-
atives, some of whom have union ties,
BY ELISE ACKERMAN
rather than by Transportation Depart-
ment officials. Asked about the White
S states require more welfare moth-
House's position on Amtrak, Moynihan
A
ers to work, two obvious questions
replies, "There hasn't been one."
arise: Where will they find jobs,
Organized labor is not the only Demo-
and who will care for their chil-
cratic interest group that opposes ele-
dren? It's easy to imagine the light bulbs
ments of the bailout package. Trial law-
appearing over the heads of welfare re-
yers, who succeeded in stifling the bailout
formers. Why not solve both problems at
two years ago, object to a provision that
the same time by training welfare moth-
would limit the liability of Amtrak and
ers to be day-care providers? Many states
freight rail lines in case of a crash. In 1987,
are doing just that. And some women on
a Conrail freight train operated by an engi-
welfare, when they are carefully screened
neer who had been smoking marijuana hit
and well trained, do prove to be capable
an Amtrak train, killing 16 people and in-
day-care providers.
Kristina Thomas has left welfare and gone to work
juring more than 100. Conrail eventually
But at the White House conference on
paid out more than $100 million in dam-
day care last week, would-be reformers
thousands of welfare mothers will under-
ages. Republicans say that Amtrak would
were manifestly uncomfortable with the
mine the quality of care. For reasons not
be devastated by such a financial hit, and
idea. "I don't believe we should allow day
always of their own making, some women
they have included in the bailout a meas-
care to be a workstation for workfare," de-
on welfare have poor parenting skills, a
ure to limit punitive-damage awards to no
clared Bishop Joseph Sullivan of the
history of being abused, or not enough
more than $250,000 per passenger. (Sev-
Brooklyn Diocese, to resounding ap-
education and business acumen to pro-
eral commuter railroads already have sim-
plause. Witness after witness emphasized
vide adequate care for kids. "The way I
ilar liability caps.) But the trial lawyers op-
that day-care employees must be better
hear [this idea] talked about makes me
pose virtually all efforts to limit damages
trained and higher paid than they are
cringe," says Ellen Galinsky of the Fam-
in lawsuits. For the time being they are
now. Although day-care advocates are of-
ilies and Work Institute in New York City.
lobbying quietly and letting the unions
ten reluctant to discuss this publicly, they
"There is a mistaken assumption that any-
lead the charge against the bailout pack-
are concerned that plans to hire tens of
one can [provide good day care]."
age, but they say that even if the House ap-
Violence at home. Over the
NINA FOR
proves the legislation, they believe they
next five years, as the work
can block it in the Senate.
requirements in last year's
Taxpayers have a large stake in Am-
welfare reform law kick in,
trak's fate. Keeping the railroad going will
the number of children
ultimately cost much more than the pend-
needing subsidized day care
ing $2.3 billion bailout. But letting it die
is likely to triple to 4.5 mil-
could also be expensive. Union leaders say
lion. Already, most states
that if Amtrak goes out of business they
have lengthy waiting lists.
will invoke the six-year severance provi-
To make things worse, expe-
sion for all eligible workers. The GAO con-
rienced day-care workers
tends the government is not obligated to
are deserting the field in
pay it, and a lawsuit over the question is
droves, discouraged by the
virtually certain. But if the government
meager wages. (The average
loses, it's estimated that even if Amtrak
salary is roughly $12,000.)
closes down it could wind up costing tax-
That's why New York, Cali-
payers an additional $6.9 billion.
Diana Insula takes care of kids in her Columbia, Md., home.
fornia, Texas, Florida, and
36 U.S.NIWS.& WORLD REPORT. NOVEMBER 3. 1997
JEWS
other will flinch before Amtrak goes
Amtrak headed for a
bankrupt. "I'm very panicked," said one
Capitol Hill staffer. "We're very possibly
going off a cliff."
Precarious finances. Dire predictions
political train wreck?
about Amtrak have been around since its
founding in 1970, but this time the rail-
road's problems are concrete and immedi-
ate. Despite $19 billion in federal subsi-
Surprisingly, Democrats may derail a bailout
dies over the years, Amtrak's current
financial condition is "very precarious,"
according to the General Ac-
JEFFREY MACMILLAN FOR USN&WR
counting Office, which notes
that more than half the rail-
way's passenger cars are "at
or approaching the end of
their useful life." Amtrak is
so cash poor that it will have
to borrow $80 million this
year just to make its payroll.
The prospect of a strike
this week could make it even
harder to keep Amtrak
afloat. A track-maintenance
union that represents 2,300
of Amtrak's 20,000 workers
is threatening to shut down
the railroad unless its mem-
bers get 3 percent annual
raises. (Late last week, nego-
tiators agreed to a deal that
would permit all Amtrak
commuting service to contin-
ue even if there is a strike
against the railroad.)
Though the requested raises
are modest, Amtrak's man-
agement says there is no
money for raises, period. In-
If Amtrak workers strike later this week, the railway could become insolvent within a matter of days.
deed, Amtrak President Tom
Downs says that a strike
BY KENT JENKINS JR.
years' severance pay-nearly a quarter of
could push the railroad to near bankrupt-
a million dollars for a worker making the
cy in less than a week. In the event of a
ight now, Amtrak needs every
union average of $40,000 per year.
strike, Congress is likely to intervene
R
friend it can get. The nation's long-
The GOP bailout package includes a
quickly to protect the troubled railroad
beleaguered passenger rail system
measure eliminating the severance plan,
from insolvency.
is losing so much money that it
which Republicans deride as indefensibly
Shouting match. When Republicans first
could go broke by spring-or even sooner
generous. But on Friday, House GOP lead-
put forward their bailout plan two years
if employees carry out a threat to strike
ers failed to pass the bailout because of ef-
ago, Democratic lawmakers and the
this week. But when Amtrak went looking
forts by Democrats and a few pro-union
White House were worried enough about
for help in Congress last week, some of its
Republicans to protect the severance pol-
Amtrak that they were willing to give in to
oldest friends were distinctly unhelpful.
icy. Democrats in the Senate are also
Republican demands such as eliminating
House Democrats, who had poured mon-
threatening to oppose the bailout as long
the six-year severance-pay provision and
ey into the railroad for years, voted al-
as it squeezes the union, and labor is
making it easier to turn over union jobs to
most unanimously to block a GOP-spon-
pressuring President Clinton to veto the
nonunion contractors. By the time Re-
sored $2.3 billion federal bailout.
legislation unless the offending measure
publicans tried to revive the bailout this
The central reason for the Democrats'
is removed. Each party is betting that the
summer, Democrats had changed their
stand is a quiet campaign by or-
minds, in part because of la-
ganized labor to protect one of the
By law, laid-off Amtrak employees
bor's $35 million campaign
most lavish employee benefits in
against Republicans in the
American industry. By law, any
1996 election. In June, Sen-
Amtrak employee who is laid off is
are entitled to as much as six
ate Majority Leader Trent
entitled to a year of severance pay
Lott of Mississippi offered
for each year he or she has worked
years' worth of severance pay.
to include the Amtrak bail-
there, up to a maximum of six
out in the balanced-budget
34 U.S.NFWS & WORLD REPORT. NOVEMBER 3. 1997
women well suited to child care. Twenty-
six-year-old Diana Insula fit the profile of
a troubled welfare recipient. Four years
ago, her boyfriend broke down the door,
shattered her windows, and threatened
her with a weapon, leading her to jump
out of a second-story window to escape.
At another point, she spent nearly seven
months living in a homeless shelter with
her child. But rather than squelching her
spirit, the experiences strengthened her
determination to pursue a career. "I
wanted to follow my dream to take care of
kids," she says. Insula got her license to
be a family-day-care provider in 1995.
Working nearly around the clock as a
child-care provider and at a second job as
a security guard, she saved enough money
to purchase a spacious, sunny townhouse
in Columbia, Md., where she cares for up
to seven children at a time. Her clients
praise her effusively. "She has a love for
children that radiates from the inside,"
says Sheila Hobson, the mother of two
girls, ages 3 and 6, cared for by Insula.
Insula credits her success to the unflag-
ging support of a state official who took a
personal interest in her case. The handful
of pilot programs that have consistently
transformed welfare recipients into pros-
perous day-care providers all offer long-
term, intensive training and follow-up as-
sistance. Nearly all the 43 family-child-
care providers linked to the Acre Family
the Happy Face Day Care Center in McMurray, Pa. She hopes one day to run a center at home.
Day Care in Lowell, Mass., were once on
welfare. Acre refers parents, conducts on-
at least a dozen other states have initia-
Many women on welfare, however, live in
going training, has a social worker on
tives designed to train welfare mothers to
public housing that has a multitude of
call, and provides economic aid. "I believe
work in child care.
housing-code violations. Earlier this year
a welfare recipient has to be part of a net-
But state officials have discovered that
a program to train 20 women in Louis-
work," says Anita Moeller, Acre executive
many welfare recipients are not good can-
ville, Ky., faltered, in part because the
director. "Being a family-child-care pro-
didates for child-care jobs. About one
homes of some trainees did not meet state
vider is just too isolating to make it on
third of those on public assistance are de-
safety standards. In Lowell, Mass., one
your own."
pressed. Some 55 percent of welfare fam-
woman set up a day-care operation in her
Mindful of the difficulties, Kristina
ilies have the television on seven hours or
apartment, only to have it shut down after
Thomas, a 27-year-old from Claysville,
longer each day. Only half have 10 or more
the unit below became infested with fleas.
Pa., completed a training course last win-
books in the house, and reading to kids is
She ended up in a homeless shelter.
ter and went to work at a nearby day-care
not routine. For young children, who need
Despite their initial enthusiasm, few
center. While many welfare mothers have
constant stimulation, the mother's own
would-be caregivers anticipate the de-
eschewed jobs that pay as little as Thom-
educational shortcomings may be part of
mands of running their own business. So-
as's-$800 a month-she hopes she can
the problem-more than a third of welfare
cial workers discovered that of the rough-
use the experience to someday open her
recipients test at the "least proficient" lit-
ly 60 women in the South Bronx who
own home-based day-care business.
eracy level. That means they could not
trained to be providers over the past two
But most welfare recipients don't want
read a street map or calculate the total cost
years, hardly any had gotten their family-
to follow Thomas's example. They aspire
of a purchase from an order form.
day-care operations off the ground. There
to jobs that pay more and have better
Violence plagues many welfare fam-
was a strong demand for their services;
prospects for advancement. In some
ilies. One study in Washington State
waiting lists at neighborhood day-care
ways, being a day-care worker just
showed that 55 percent of welfare mothers
centers were hundreds deep. Yet the 15-
doesn't seem like much improvement
had been victimized by violent boyfriends
hour course mandated by the state didn't
over being on welfare. Before, women got
or spouses. This is an especially big prob-
fully prepare them to juggle bookkeeping,
"paid" to take care of their own kids. Now
lem because most welfare mothers want to
menu and activity planning, budgeting,
they can get paid to take care of someone
work at home, in part so they can continue
marketing, negotiating with parents, and,
else's. Welfare reformers may see this as
to take care of their own kids.
finally, caring for children.
progress. Or they may be forced to admit
Homes used for day care need to be not
Still, the ranks of public-aid recipients
that there aren't many Mary Poppinses
only violence free but well constructed.
include some extraordinarily resilient
hiding on the welfare rolls.
U.S. NEWS IN BRIEF
TOP KISER GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ARCHIVES BOTTOM DAN FAGRE-US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
ENVIRONMENT
liable-reaffirmed earlier find
ings that many students lack
AI Gore on
even a basic grasp of science.
NAEP reported that only 26
the warm seat
percent of fourth and eighth
graders and just 18 percent of
n his 1992 bestseller, Earth
12th graders tested in 1996
In The Balance, environmen-
were proficient in science. Only
talist Al Gore warned that the
3 percent of students in these
world "must act boldly
and
grades had advanced knowl-
quickly" to combat "the most
1910
edge of the subject. Among
serious threat that we have
high school seniors, a striking
ever faced." That threat-glob-
77 percent of African-Ameri-
al warming-
cans and 67 percent of Hispan-
has become a
ics scored below the "basic" lev-
defining issue
el, which included items like
for the vice
identifying ice as the solid form
president as he
of water. -Thomas Toch
begins to posi-
tion himself
MEDICINE
for a presiden-
tial campaign.
1997
New rights
But the plan
Photos show global warming's effects on Glacier National Park.
Gore
to curb green-
for patients?
house gases
UNIPHOTO
announced last week by the
presidential bid.
EDUCATION
Clinton administration was
Other nations gathering in
based more on political prag-
Bonn to negotiate a new cli-
A flunking grade
matism than environmental
mate treaty denounced the
purity. The blueprint-largely
U.S. proposal as weak, given
on science tests
fashioned by Gore-proposes
that the United States pumps
to cut domestic emissions back
out one fourth of the world's
to 1990 levels over the next 10
heat-trapping carbon dioxide
C
ongress is attacking Presi-
dent Clinton's plan to tough-
to 14 years with tax cuts and
and methane. Opinions in the
en education standards with
market incentives. Tougher
business community varied,
new national exams, but a sur-
measures would please envi-
but many environmentalists
vey released last week suggest-
F
or patients frazzled by a rap-
ronmentalists but could
agreed with the Sierra Club's
ed that student achievement
idly changing health care
threaten the booming U.S.
Dan Becker, who said the ini-
needs to be bolstered some-
system, the sort of "medical
economy by raising energy
tiative was like "fighting a five-
how. The National Assessment
bill of rights" outlined last
prices and unemployment, fac-
alarm fire with a garden hose."
of Educational Progress
week by a presidential panel
tors that might hurt Gore's
-Michael Satchell
(NAEP)-widely considered re-
can't come soon enough. The
Advisory Commission on Con-
sumer Protection and Quality
in the Health Care System pro-
LAW ENFORCEMENT
holed up in her home,
posed a broad new range of
A costly, disputed Illinois standoff
threatening all comers with
protections for patients, in-
a shotgun, allegedly firing
cluding the rights to appeal de-
AP
A
stalemate involving a 51-
twice at police. Authorities
nials of care or coverage by in-
year-old former nurse has
initially tried tear gas, loud
surers and HMOs, to obtain
become the latest-and per-
music, and nonlethal bean-
more information about their
haps the unlikeliest-symbol
bag bullets to get her out,
doctors' expertise, and to keep
for Americans who believe
before backing off and as-
their own doctors for at least
government authority has
suming a lower profile. The
60 days even if forced to
gone too far. Relatives had
scene has attracted militia
switch health plans. President
grown worried that Shirley
members who feel the ac-
Clinton is expected to endorse
Allen, who lives in rural
tions of both the police and
the group's report when it's
Roby, Ill., was becoming pro-
Allen with her late husband
Allen's family have been
finished early next year, but
gressively more paranoid
heavy-handed. Last week,
he'll have to push if it is going
and delusional, following the death of her
to have any influence on the
the standoff passed the one-month mark.
husband in 1989. When she resisted their
The conflict has cost Illinois taxpayers near-
patchwork of health care re-
form bills now before Con-
efforts to help, the family obtained a court
ly half a million dollars in round-the-clock
order for a psychiatric exam. But Allen
gress. -Shannon Brownlec
police surveillance. -Warren Cohen
Edited by Gordon Witkin
40
WORLD REPORT i. 1997
COR
USN&WH
ETWEEN THE LINES
older kids? All
of the above? Becausé the much-touted
MAKING CHILD
"conversation" on race relations isn't likely
to lead to new lawmaking, child care might
be the last signature legislation of the
Clinton era.
But first "Billary" (remember that?) must
CARE MACHO
prove they learned something from their
health-care fiasco. There are two big
lessons that seem to have been drawn from
that sorry episode right, one wrong.
The right lesson is that a Washington-
As she turns 50, Hillary Clinton seizes the
designed Rube Goldberg contraption-
even if it's good enough for the U.S.
chance to take her pet issue to the big time
military will fail; 1970s-style federalized
child care is DOA. The wrong lesson is that
any kind of big new spending program on a
BYJONATHAN ALTER
so-called liberal issue is doomed. Quite the
contrary. Flexible, hardheaded, locally run
liberal ideas that relate to women are
ORGET THE PRESIDENT'S GENITALS. I'M
booming, and almost untouchable by
F
more interested in the genitals of an issue.
Republicans staring into the abyss of a 17-
I'm wondering if child care can develop
point gender gap.
some cojones and move out of the ladies'
The politics of what were once known as
department into the macho world of big-
woman's issues are rapidly changing. Re-
time, bone-crunching legislation, where the real nuts
member the "Violence Against Women"
get cracked. Offended? I hope so, because I'm
bill? A few years ago, it was laughed off
offended, too. I'm offended by men so out of touch
Capitol Hill; this year it sailed through vir-
with the needs of children (including their own) that
tually unopposed, thanks to the gender gap.
they think of "child care" as just another feminist
Meanwhile, welfare reform (a macho issue)
whine imported from Denmark or someplace. I'm
has now melded with child care. Any politi-
offended by women who claim to recognize that the
cian who's for forcing welfare mothers to
poor quality of much of the care is a national scandal,
WALLY MCNAMEE FOR NEWSWEEK
work without providing help with child
but are so badly organized that for a decade many
care now looks like an idiot.
states have actually had to return federal child-care
The Christian Coalition notwithstand-
money to Washington because no one persuaded
ing, child care can be redefined as apple
their lame legislatures to match it. And I'm doubly
pie under two conditions. The first is that
offended by communities all over the country where
the Democrats aim high. If they propose
kids get out of school at 3 p.m. and spend the rest of
Dick Morris-style incremental change,
the day totally unsupervised. Then we wonder why
Children's hour: At the conference,
without serious money, they'll end up with
they get into drugs and knock each other up.
the First Lady focused on an issue
virtually nothing. The second condition is
Hillary Clinton is offended, too, though she is
that has long been close to her heart
that the issue be framed so as not to offend
working hard to control the thermostat of her
stay-at-home mothers. Hillary already
outrage. With her popularity soaring, she found the perfect way to
seems sensitive to that, stressing that she rejects "one size fits all"
spend the week before her 50th birthday. After five years in
ideas about child care. She even points to a North Carolina program
Washington, she is finally immersed in the issue that has been
that offers new mothers stipends for diapers and baby food if they
closest to her heart for the last 20. But to what end? The question
stay home with their newborns instead of rushing back to work.
that hung in the East Room chandeliers last week was whether the
Even so, child care is a perfect example of a common
White House Conference on Child Care, chaired by the First
conundrum in the Clinton era: how do you replicate what's
Lady, was the beginning of a big 1998 idea a bid to finally catch
working in places like North Carolina (the Smart Start early-
up to every other industrialized country in the world on this
childhood program). It's not as easy as it sounds. According to
front or just another gabfest for the faithful.
market principles, the good ideas should naturally spread, but
The statistics are horrifying. Average pay for child-care workers:
they don't. "Why is the market dysfunctional in cases like this?"
$12,000, with turnover greater than every occupation except gas-
the president asked Treasury Secretary Bob Rubin at the
station attendants. Average training: none. Average portion of a
conference last week. Rubin paused, then said, "Are you asking
low-income worker's wage that goes for this often inadequate care:
me?" The crowd laughed, but the president was earnest: "I think
25 percent. According to one study, only one in seven child-care fa-
it's the single most important question about social policy today."
cilities meets minimal standards for quality. Hillary says she wants
Rubin, whose success with the economy allows him some
to "start a national conversation" on all of this, with an eye toward
cheekiness, replied, "You're the president of the United States.
what her husband promises will be a major child-care plan in his
You're supposed to know the answer to these things."
State of the Union speech next January. The president asked for
But of course he doesn't. Even with their bully pulpits and
public advice on what the specifics should be. Expansion of Head
gender gaps, the president and First Lady seem small when
Start to reflect new research on the critical importance of the ages
arrayed against our longstanding neglect of children. Now we'll
zero to 3? Expanded tax credits for child care? Help for after-school
see if they're serious about growing larger.
programs (many of which have been canceled in recent years) for
70
LEADING QUESTIONS
partments of local hospitals. Hospitals
sometimes have managed-care programs
with liberal rules.
INSERT CARD,
On July 1 a federal law took effect that's
supposed to save other people from the
dread you face. Workers who lose their
group insurance will now have a right to a
LOSE SHIRT
similar policy somewhere else, regardless
of health. But for anyone who has stood in
your shoes, this new "right" is a laugh. in
many states. Yes, people can go from group
to individual coverage, guaranteed. But in-
Trading stocks at your ATM is easy, but guess
surers can deliberately price those "guar-
anteed" policies out of reach.
who's to blame if there are brokerage mistakes?
Q
UESTION: I'm wondering whether I
qualify for the new Roth IRA. which will
BY JANE BRYANT QUINN
accumulate money tax free. I'm retired with
a pension, so have no earnings of my own.
Q
UESTION: I have a brokerage account at Citicorp Investment
But my wife earns about $6,000 a year. Can
Services and check stock prices through a Citibank ATM. Based
she-set up a Roth for me?
on what it showed, I put in a sell order for a stock at a particular
ALFRED PARRINELLO,
price. The trade wasn't executed, even though the ATM showed (and
GAINESVILLE, FLA.
Citi's phone reps confirmed) that the market reached my price on nu-
She sure can. When Roth IRAs open for busi-
merous days. Then the company went bankrupt. Later I obtained
ness next year, any worker who qualifies can
market prices for that period from another Citi source and discov-
start an account for a nonworking spouse.
ered that I'd been misled. Citi's ATM overstated the stock price, so I
Your wife can put away $2,000 for herself and
was asking more for it than I could get. What are my rights?
another $2,000 for you, in separate accounts.
GOURI MUKHERJEE, BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Roths are open to couples with adjusted gross
In a letter that I suppose Citi considers "customer service," vice
incomes of up to $150,000, phasing out at
president Susan Murphy says it's all your fault. She acknowledges
$160,000; or singles up to $95,000, phasing out at $110,000.
Citi's errors, then scolds you for relying on an ATM to see if your
Financial planner James Shambo of Lifetime Planning Concepts
stock had sold. She also thinks you shouldn't have taken so long to
in Colorado Springs makes the following smart suggestion: don't
discover that Citi's price was wrong. So silly that you kept trusting
wait until 1998. Contribute $4,000 to two tax-deductible IRAs for
the ATM. Other brokerage customers: take note.
1997. Next year switch that money into two Roths (conversions
Citibank's Connie Kain now says that Murphy herself was (sob)
are allowed for people with incomes under $100,000). You'll owe
mistaken when she told you the ATM was wrong. Checking back,
income taxes on the switch but can stretch out the payments over
Kain says, the bank found that its source for the price quotes was
the next four years. Conversions generally make sense, as long as
right, and therefore presumes that the ATM must have been right,
you switch every dime from your old IRA into the Roth, paying
too. There's no explanation for why Citi's phone reps would have
the tax out of other funds. But you probably shouldn't convert if
confirmed a different price-namely, the higher price you were
you'll have to withdraw some IRA money to pay the tax.
trying to get. As Kain sees it, you overpriced your stock based on
no evidence at all. You could try arbitration. Lots of luck.
Q
UESTION: I'm a married active-duty army officer, 28. We antici-
pate moving every three or four years for the next 15 years or so.
Q
UESTION: I am trying to obtain affordable health insurance for
Should we buy a house to build equity for the day we settle down? Or
my husband, Dennis, 56. We're both retired. He had non-Hodg-
should we plug away at mutual funds and stocks, and use those funds
kin's lymphoma in 1982 and again in 1986, which was covered by in-
to buy a house when we retire from the military?
surance we'd bought through our business. Since 1987 he has been
RICH PRIOR, AUGUSTA, GA.
cancer free. His current, individual policy through PFL Life, howev-
If you think you might retire in Augusta (nice town!), you could
er, pays only for outpatient hospital care, and the price just rose from
buy a house and, when you move, try to rent it for enough to
about $4,000 to $7,000 annually. That's prohibitive. But other poli-
cover its cost. But you'd need a local manager to find tenants and
cies won't insure him for any cancer-related bills at all.
look after the place, and you can't predict what the upkeep will be.
BEVERLY KENDALL, HENDERSONVILLE N.C.
Financial planner John Allen of Allen-Warren in Arvada,
I can hear the frog chorus of insurance companies croaking.
Colo., thinks your best bet is to rent at the lowest comfortable
"We're not in business to insure known risks." In fact, nowadays
level and squirrel away as much as you can into mutual funds.
insurers are turning down people (or pricing them out) on much
He'd pick funds of moderate risk for your future-home pur-
flimsier grounds than they have in your husband's case. The gov-
chase-say, growth-and-income funds. Keep this money sep-
ernment covers everyone at 65, regardless of health, but younger
arate from other retirement funds, which might be invested
people have to pay their own way, find charity care or die.
more aggressively.
NEWSWEEK tried several agents who scout coverage for the
Reporter. TEMMA EHRENFELD
hard-to-insure. but without success. Thomas Richman of Creative
Benefit Plans in Cranbury. N.J., suggests calling HMOs. The ma-
Send your questions to Jane Bryant Quinn, NEWSWEEK Focus:
jority accept only employee groups, but many take individuals and
On Your Money, 251 West 57th St., New York, N.Y. 10019. Letters
may cover pre-existing conditions. Or try the social-services de-
can be answered only in the column.