{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/dont-cut-funding-to-maine-childcare-providers?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-dont-cut-funding-to-maine-childcare-providers' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Mother Forward",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/campaign-for-child-care",
	"title": "Don&#x27;t Cut Funding to Maine Childcare Providers",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/599/719/normal/maine_petition.png",
	"description": "What is happening to childcare providers in Maine? Governor Janet Mills has proposed cutting $35 million from childcare workers and providers over the course of the next two years. The proposed budget would cut $30 million from childcare worker stipends. Over the course of two years, this would reduce the average earning of childcare workers by $4,000; bringing the average hourly rate for childcare workers from $16.40 down to $15.15 an hour. Why does this matter? With childcare workers already being paid in the bottom 3% of all workforce laborers across the county, it is no surprise that childcare facilities struggle to keep fully staffed. Reducing the pay of childcare workers will only exacerbate the problem. With more workers leaving the profession, childcare facilities will be forced to close classrooms, and in some cases, entire daycares. With a childcare shortage already firmly present in the state of Maine, this proposed budget cut will make childcare even harder to come by than it already is. The other part of Mills&#x27; proposed budget cut is $5 million towards a scholarship program to help child care workers pay for their own children to go to childcare. This program has allowed parents to continue working in a childcare setting, without having to worry that most of their income would go towards paying for childcare for their own children. This budget cut would, again, exacerbate the childcare worker shortage. Sign this petition to show you stand with Maine&#x27;s childcare providers! Let Governor Mills know that you do not support these budget cuts. Our children and our teachers matter too much to allow this to happen. Let your voice be heard, sign the petition below to let Governor Mills know that there should be NO budget cuts to childcare in Maine.",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dont-cut-funding-to-maine-childcare-providers"
}