Wisconsin Partnership for Kids hosts candidate forum for Wis. governor

By Dave Link, Eastside News

Goodman Community Center welcomed Wisconsin Partnership for Kids’ Gubernatorial Candidate Forum April 28, where four Democrats answered an array of questions about youth programming.

Mandela Barnes, Kelda Roys, Francesca Hong and Sara Rodriguez stated their cases why they are the best candidate for Wisconsin governor. Youth in after-school programs and adults running them asked the four about their views on the importance of childcare and out-of-school programming, including how the programs can be better funded by the state.

All the candidates would like to build on the things Gov. Tony Evers has initiated, and the four’s responses varied little.

Rodriguez stressed how working families need childcare, and Roy said all children should have access to child and after-school care – something she said the state currently rations. Barnes is campaigning on universal childcare and a desire to close education gaps by funding after-school programs. Hong wants the state to budget dedicated money to fund childcare and after-school programs.

The four acknowledged rural communities are struggling to provide these programs to preschool and school-age children, and it is imperative that the next governor address this problem.

Democratic candidates Joel Brennan, David Crowley and Missy Hughes were unavailable to attend. Tom Tiffany, the presumptive Republican nominee, declined to attend.

The partisan primary for governor will be Aug. 18 with the general election Nov. 3.