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Florida bill would allow child care as a campaign expense

Sen. Berman and students advocating for clean energy at a press conference in 2023
Valerie Crowder
/
WFSU
Sen. Berman and students advocating for clean energy at a press conference in 2023

Democratic Sen. Lori Berman hopes that will allow more young people with small children to run for public office

Boynton Beach Democratic Senator Lori Berman waited to run for public office until her children were in high school. Now she says she has some regrets. So, Berman has filed a bill she hopes will encourage young parents to run -- by helping to cover their child-care costs.

Under the bill, candidates with young children could use their campaign funds to pay for child care, but only for campaign events such as canvassing, participating in debates, and meeting with constituents or donors.

According to the Vote Mama Foundation, 38 states and Washington, D.C. already have similar policies in place. However, the foundation says, just 6.8% of federal legislators and 5.3% of state legislators are mothers with minor children.

Berman would like to see that change.

“We especially want to encourage young women to run, and we know that women are often the primary child-care givers, and that that’s a reason why they might not consider running for public office, because of the expense of childcare," she said. "This way, by having the expenses paid for by your campaign, it takes the pressure off on that issue. And hopefully, we’ll see more young parents running for office.”

Berman’s proposal requires candidates to provide clear records and receipts, maintaining them for three years after the campaign.
Copyright 2024 WFSU

Margie Menzel
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