HARRISBURG, PA  — Child care in Pennsylvania is in crisis, and parents, educators, and advocates want Governor Shapiro to know it. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Start Strong PA delivered a petition with 5,077 signatures, demanding that the Governor include $284 million in his 2025-2026 state budget to directly tackle the child care sector’s mounting workforce challenges. Their message is urgent and clear—fix child care now.

At the heart of the crisis is a workforce stretched to its limits. With low wages and declining program availability, the child care sector is teetering on the edge of collapse. “As Pennsylvania businesses continue to seek qualified, dependable employees, tens of thousands of working parents are struggling to find the child care they need to remain in the workforce,” explained Cara Ciminillo, Executive Director of Trying Together. “This is due to a staffing crisis within the child care sector, resulting in closures of classrooms and even entire facilities. Currently, there are 600 fewer child care programs in the commonwealth than there were at the start of the pandemic.”

A Broken System Hurting Families and Workers

The numbers paint a stark picture. A recent survey of 1,140 child care programs revealed over 3,000 unfilled child care staffing positions. This worker shortage has forced closures and capacity cuts across the state, eliminating more than 25,300 child care slots. The reality for families is bleak—being left without the care they desperately need to stay in the workforce. For child care providers, it’s no better. The financial foundation of the industry simply doesn’t work.

At the core of the problem? Wages that fail to attract and retain staff. The average child care teacher in Pennsylvania earns just $15.15 per hour, a rate that doesn’t even meet the cost of living in any county statewide. Jen DeBell, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, called it out plainly, saying, “If we don’t allocate funds to directly address our teacher recruitment and retention crisis, child care classroom and program closures will continue to disrupt thousands of families’ ability to work.”

Child care workers—the individuals shaping young minds and caring for the next generation—are being forced to leave the industry because they simply can’t afford to stay in it. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves parents scrambling for solutions and businesses unable to retain employees who need stable care for their children.

The Cost of Legislative Inaction

The petition, buoyed by voices from across the state, isn’t just about sounding the alarm. It’s a call for state leaders, especially Governor Shapiro, to act decisively. Advocates are demanding $284 million to fund a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative aimed at stabilizing the industry. Neighboring states have shown what’s possible—about 20 others already prioritize funding for child care workforce initiatives. But Diane Barber, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Child Care Association, noted Pennsylvania lawmakers’ slow response. “The difference is Pennsylvania lawmakers have only offered solutions to one side of the issue – the demand side – in the form of tax credits to help families better afford child care,” Barber said. “Solutions to fix the supply side – to make sure families can find care – are desperately needed.”

Without intervention, this crisis won’t just impact parents and teachers; it will reverberate across Pennsylvania’s economy. Parents unable to find care are leaving the workforce, reducing economic productivity, and increasing pressure on businesses already grappling with tight employee pools. Further inaction could deepen the state’s challenges, stalling growth and driving families to untenable situations.

A Movement to #FixChildCare

To amplify their efforts, Start Strong PA has introduced FixChildCarePA.com, a platform highlighting the personal stories of families left without care options and detailing the struggles of child care providers fighting to stay open. The campaign’s goal is not just to draw attention but to push for meaningful change in the state’s child care infrastructure.

This isn’t just a call for funding—it’s a demand for a vision. It’s about what Pennsylvania values. Do we consider child care foundational to the state’s present and future? Or will the workforce crisis continue to snowball unchecked?

Every signature on that petition is a reminder. Parents want to work. Educators want to teach and care. Communities need to thrive. But without a functioning child care system, all of this is at risk. The solution exists—now it’s up to Governor Shapiro and state lawmakers to make it a reality before more programs shut their doors and more families are left stranded.

The message is resounding. Pennsylvania has a choice to make—and time is running out.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.

A state trooper was hit by a vehicle in Somerset County.

Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar said the trooper was trying to help a disabled vehicle on Route 31 westbound when they were hit on Saturday.

According to our partners at WJAC, the trooper suffered injuries to their head, leg and pelvis.

The trooper has been released from the hospital.

“This is a stark reminder of the dangers that our first responders face on a daily basis. I encourage everyone to life the trooper and his family up in their thoughts and prayers,” Metzgar said.

Officials said the trooper still has “a long way to go” before returning to duty.

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HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone

With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”

Spotlight on East Penn Railroad

The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.

The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.

Building a Better Freight Future

East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.

Some of the other key projects include:

• CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
• Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
• NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.

Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.

Why It Matters

Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.

East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.

Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.

A Commitment to Progress

The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.

Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.