Bismarck, North Dakota News

" After seeing this website detailing the inherent problems with daycare, the Guv's plan seems like a really bad idea:
http://www.daycaresdontcare.org "

" I'm a daycare provider in a small town, and I would like to know if the average person would take on a job and be tied down 5 days a week for $2.25 an hour. And than when you close the parents are fit to be tied cuz they have to find someone else. Doing daycare is a full time JOB. If anyone thinks its just babysitting, why don't you try it. Everyone thinks that daycare is so costly, than stay home if you can't afford it. "

" This is a good move on so many levels. It is good for kids, because they get a better start in life. It is good for business, because it gives businesses a larger, more available workforce. It is good for our economy, because it promotes growth, and therefore, more revenues for the state without raising taxes. (In fact, a growing economy allows taxes to be reduced, as Hoeven has proposed.) It is good for our population, because it will help retain and encourage young families to stay in North Dakota. Mathern's dyspeptic response, as usual, is that he's already proposed it, but what he never acknowledges is that when he proposed it, our economy was anemic and couldn't afford to pay for it without tax increases. Nor does he acknowledge that he's done nothing in 23 years in the legislature to grow the economy so we can afford it. Mathern may be well-intentioned, but Hoeven's grown the economy enough so that we can afford it. He gets the job done. "

" Man, feel the big dose of North Dakota love on this page! "

" Seriously, we really do not need governmental aid to help poor children, families struggling with finding affordable daycare, the elderly, the handicapped, the veterans, etc, not with all this compassionate conservatism that is just flourishing throughout our state and nation. Armies of compassionate conservatives with compassion in their hearts are rolling up their sleeves just eager to help. Why, they're even willing to drop their loose change in the buckets of the Salvation Army, what more do you want?

Now I need a kleenex, I'm laughing so hard, my milk just came out my nose. "

" Point to Ponder-- Why is it assumed when people talk about personal responsibility, and fiscal conservativism, they are labeled "Republicans" and assumptions are made about "hating children and old people"? Yes, I do lean toward the Republican side of the isle, but I also think there are plenty of social issues to address with taxpayer money. No, getting old is not a lack of responsibility and I personally believe we are all responsible to take care of our elders. It is a little different perspective-having children is a choice, growing old is not. Again, I agree with the preschool initiative and help for the elderly. Heck, I'm ok with help for anyone that needs it. But my original point was that when people EXPECT a handout from the government, for things that they are responsible for, that is when I have issue. "

" Many of you are making a point of people's responsiblity to pay for their own child care. OK, point taken, but what about the other issue Hoeven is using tax dollars to support, care for the elderly. Exactly who is being irresponsible for getting old and not being able to care for themselves? Why do republicans hate children and old people so much? "

" In regard to background checks, the law currently requires a background check, but not a "criminal" background check. All licensed providers and their employees do go through a background check which includes a child abuse and neglect background check, and a check of the sex offender registry. There is currently no requirement that your child care provider have a "criminal" background check completed - your provider may have served 10 yrs for a felony, and you wouldn't know it, nor would social services unless someone "in the know" tips them off. "

" To "To The Point"-- I disagree with you. I am not rich, and I have had plenty of struggles in my life. I believe that people who struggle are worth public funding to help get them back on their feet-NOT to support them for the rest of their lives. You pose the question, "Why is McCain proposing doubling the tax exeption for my children?" Wow, I didn't know I was that special that Sen. McCain would single my family out... He he. Anyway, the big difference you are not seeing here is that Hoeven's plan is to use tax (public) money for this project. McCain's plan is for us to KEEP THE MONEY THAT IS ALREADY OURS as a tax exemption. HUGE difference there.

To "Annoy Me"-I'm certainly not judging anyone that thinks they are responsible. You think you are, and that is fine. My POINT was that rights and responsibilities are very different, and individual responsibility has taken a back seat in our society. Everyone seems to be looking for a handout and blaming everyone else when things go bad. Responsibility is knowing that you will have to pay your student loans back before you make the decision to go to college. Responsibility is knowing that you have to provide for your children before you have them. Responsibility is realizing that if the community you live in is not meeting the needs and expectations you have, work to change it or move somewhere else. "Annoy Me" is exaclty that. The comment made was "Add some place for my children to go"--again, putting it on someone else to provide for "Annoy Me's" children. Gripe and complain about it on a blog, or go do something about it. Take some responsibility. "

" I'm particularly puzzled by the $1.5 million dollars for background checks. According to Federal laws, background checks are already supposed to be done for anyone who wishes to be licensed for child-care - whether worker, owner, cook, or bottlewasher. Now, we all know that this isn't always done because it costs money for the child-care facility and they don't want to spend. But - that is something that is supposed to be done. And...Social Services are the ones who check and license these places so obviously they aren't doing a thorough job of insuring the background check are done.

I'm all for affordable child care. I'm all for anyone who wishes to work should be able to work. What I'm NOT for is government paying for it all or offering grants to get it done. I already pay taxes for schools, buses, etc. for the children. I am not for wasting my hard-earned tax dollar towards someone else's child care. I don't have a problem with loans - that MUST be paid back. That way, at least my money isn't being wasted. "

" Tell us Governor Hoeven, our children are grown and out on thier own, without ever having asked for state aid for anything for them. Why should our tax dollars go to support other peoples children? Parenting and raising ones children is part of being a parent, including the financial obligations that go with it. This is just another move towards socialism from the Hoeven Administration which is demonstarting no support of old time family values. "

" To Glen, I am a stay at home mom. I feel blessed to be able to do this. It is something we feel is important, and we have to make sacrifices along the way to be able to do so.

I would assume, that the families with one parent at home would not be happy about having to foot the bill for other's daycare costs. This article mentioned grants, but when that runs out, it will be our tax dollars that will fund it. It would be nice to then include a tax credit for those of us who choose to stay home, and therefore do not contribute to the day care over crowding issue. "

" First we have 700 billion to bail out Wall Street's bad investments. Why?
Because, people bought more house, than they could afford. Do we have to have a bail out for people who can't afford their children? It is called responsibility, take some, it is free. "

" If it is not the taxpayers responsibility to take care of your kids, then why is McCain proposing to double the exemption for YOUR kids? The federal govt. already pays for YOU to have kids, why should people with no children pay for YOU to have kids? by the way "To Glenn" is doing just fine with my two children! So don't make assumptions as I pay $740 a month and have no problem with it. There should be no tax exemption for daycare period! So be a good CONSERVATIVE and GIVE the money back. The point Glenn was trying to make is that Hoeven is too Liberal. "

" I wonder if the state could come up with a little money to add an extra adult or a chaperone to the School Buses. It is unsafe, unfair, and a nightmare for little kids riding on these very full buses, and all they have is the driver, who has their hands full driving and keeping our kids safe?? I believe in preschool education too, but this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Imagine your kindergartener coming home with huge scratches, bruises and no one saw a thing......... "

" Take care of your own children! Maybe we noreproducers should get a tax break! "

" People like "The Point" who talk about Rights and Responsibilities bla bla bla...guess what I have 2 children, I am a responsible adult - I am highly educated and my husband is self employed here's the problem try finding a high paying job in this community for a young person with no experience but degrees and mounting student loans to payback - good luck to you. Also try finding quality daycare at a reasonable price. It has nothing to do with rights and responsibilities. You have to work to afford food on the table or more importantly get health care from an employer and you have to pay for daycare - good luck finding one in this town that either doesn't have a 10 month waiting period or cost less than $1200. When is this going to end. Gov Hoeven sees a need for this funding Thank God!!!! I wish I could shake his hand in person. This article was such a blessing from God - I see it as the only break in my families future as we are struggling day to day. I'm sure "The Point" is some rich person who could really care less and probably hasn't had to struggle one day in their life. Thank you Gov. Hoeven please continue to proceed forward. While your at it add some kind of place for children to go to - the only quality environment in town is the playground up at Gateway Mall. There is another individual I would like to shake hands with - he was brilliant and all the kids in town love him! "

" By the way, I DO support public funding for preschool, just like regular school. I agree with other posts that it is smart to get kids involved in school early. I have kids, and our daycare costs are enormous. $1000 per month. With the current tax break (flex spending account that is), we can only claim a little over $400 of pre-tax income to pay for daycare. But I knew that going into the heat of passion, so having children is my RIGHT, but taking care of them is my RESPONSIBILITY. "

" I agree with Glenn. To "To Glenn"-the point he is trying to make is that just because you have kids, that doesn't mean it is the taxpayers responsibility to pay for their care. It is YOUR responsibility. If you cannot afford daycare, or cannot afford to live the lifestyle you want with children, DON'T HAVE THEM. That is what he is talking about-THAT is what is meant by responsibility, not right. We do have the RIGHT to have children, but we also have the RESPONSIBILITY to provide proper care for them. It is not the taxpayer's burdon to pick up the bill because you have a low-paying job, cannot find daycare, or cannot afford daycare. That is the point of being RESPONSIBLE. When planning your family, these are things responsible people take into account. However, it seems that responsibility has fallen off greatly in our society, thus the current state of affairs. "

" to Glenn: What do you propose single parents do? "

" Why don't you go to Minot or Jamestown and try to find child care for an infant, pretty hard to do. So when there is a shortage of daycare available, how do you expect people to live, work and raise a family. Additionally a shortage will mean the price will go through the roof. Maybe we can be like Minneapolis where daycare costs around $185 a week per child, top it off with our low wages and what do you have? But, I suppose your conservative principles will tell you that the mothers should stay home with the kids! "

" wow, is this yet another of the liberal spend, spend spend policies of the Hoeven Administartion? "

" Thank you--thank you--thank you for showing the importance of early learning. It is sad to say, but often kids are not getting the support and guidance they should be at home. When they come into a loving and supportive environment in a preschool room, it gives them a chance to develop the key early skills. What we do in those early years, set up their future learning. Thanks again!!!! "

" Child Care and Preschool is important to the economic growth of our state. Parents cannot afford it, find it nor have any choices when it comes to child care in North Dakota. Thank you for a proposal that actually buts teeth into an issue and not expecting parents to solve it with no resources. "

" The principal here is that people have a right to child care support. That is a very good Democratic Party, and especially liberal, principal. Their belief is, as Senator Obama said about health care last night - people have a right to this. Senator McCain said, and I agree, that people have a responsibility. A parent has a responsibility to take care of their children. If daycare cannot be afforded, then they should not have it. We have many programs that support people who have less means, so we do not fail to provide basic necessecities for children. But to redistribute wealth, to tax those who can afford it and give it to those who cannot - is simply is not fair application of the reason to collect taxes. Furthermore, it surprises me that a Republican Governor would adopt Democrat Liberalism to win votes. It simply is not necessary and violates basic conservative principals to do so. "

" Yet another reason you have my vote! Thank you thank you thank you for bringing light to this situation as well as financial support. This community is in dire need of this. If you don't believe me ask any childcare provider who makes $6.00 an hour to care for our most valuable assets - our children but yet the parents are paying over $1,000 a month for 2 kids in daycare. I am so interested to hear more about this as it progresses. Please keep us informed. "

" Please don't become a liberal. We have enough of them around here. "