Invest in Kids, Not Corporate Tax Breaks: Why Early Childhood Funding Must Be a Priority

Last week, I had the opportunity to testify at the Capitol, speaking out against extending tax breaks for large data centers. As someone who has spent over 30 years in early childhood education—as a teacher, director, coach, and advocate—I know firsthand the challenges facing child care providers, families, and educators. While lawmakers debate how to allocate funding, the reality on the ground is clear: early childhood education is in crisis, and we cannot afford to put corporate tax incentives above the needs of children and families.

The True Cost of Corporate Tax Breaks

The tax break in question was originally expected to cost just $5 million a year. But now, it has ballooned to over $110 million annually, with no signs of slowing down. To put that number in perspective, child care programs in Minnesota are currently fighting for that exact amount—$110 million—just to prevent cuts to scholarships that help families afford quality child care.

Every dollar allocated to corporate tax breaks is a dollar that could be invested in the future of our children. Early childhood education isn’t just another line item in the budget; it’s a foundation for lifelong success. Research shows that 80% of a child’s brain development happens by age three, meaning the experiences they have in these early years shape their cognitive, emotional, and social growth.

And yet, despite how critical these years are, the child care system is held together by a thread.

What’s at Stake for Families and Providers?

In my decades of experience, I have seen child care providers struggle to keep their doors open, families forced to make impossible choices, and teachers leave the field because they cannot survive on unlivable wages. The current funding model is simply unsustainable.

• Parents are left scrambling, unable to find or afford quality child care, forcing many to leave the workforce.

• Teachers—the backbone of early childhood education—are underpaid and undervalued, leading to high turnover and burnout.

• Child care programs operate on razor-thin margins, with many closing because they cannot afford to pay teachers or meet rising costs.

I have lived these challenges myself. I know what it feels like to tell a family that their child no longer has a spot in care because funding wasn’t available. I have had to close child care classrooms because I couldn’t find qualified teachers to staff them. These are not abstract budget discussions—these are real lives, real families, and real futures at stake.

Minnesota Has a Choice

When we talk about tax policy, we are talking about priorities. If we continue handing out millions in tax breaks to the world’s richest corporations, we are actively choosing to underfund early childhood education—a system that supports families, strengthens the workforce, and fuels our economy.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can choose to invest in our children. We can prioritize sustainable funding that ensures every family has access to affordable, high-quality child care. We can build a future where educators are paid what they deserve and where no family has to struggle to find care for their child.

Time to Take Action

Minnesota’s future depends on the choices we make today. Investing in early childhood education is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smartest economic decision we can make.

Let’s send a clear message to our legislators: It’s time to put children, families, and educators first. Corporate tax breaks cannot come at the expense of our youngest learners.

Join me in advocating for early childhood funding. Share this message, contact your legislators, and let’s make sure that Minnesota invests in kids—not corporate tax breaks.

#FundEarlyEd #InvestInKids #AdvocacyMatters #MNLeg