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Patridge spotlights child-care legislation By Dani Dodge SALEM � At a press conference Monday, state Rep. Rob Patridge brought his 16-month-old daughter Maya to make a point on the importance of legislation designed to improve the quality of child care in the state. "I am proud of the funding that exists, but we must continue to look to the future to ensure that all Oregon families have access to safe, affordable and quality child care," said Patridge (R-Medford). "As the budget progresses we must continue to focus on Oregon�s most important asset: our children." The press conference Monday morning was sponsored by the Oregon Commission on Child Care at the Salem YMCA child-care center. Patridge, the house majority whip, is a member of the commission. Six other state legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, attended the press conference, as did a few children. Patridge said he will focus his child-care efforts this session on several bills, including legislation that will: Improve child-care facilities through more on-site inspections; Require quality standards on new child-care facilities built in urban renewal areas; Increase child-care availability for parents seeking higher education; Extend the period for claiming state child care tax credits to 2004. Also at the press conference, Greg Smith (R-Heppner) and Deborah Kafoury (D-Portland) discussed a bill they are co-sponsoring that would provide supplemental wages for child-care workers based on their level of training. The legislation is intended to encourage training, attract better-qualified providers to the field and decrease the state�s 40 percent child-care provider turnover rate. Patridge said he�s in favor of the idea, but has concerns about finding the $2 million necessary in the state�s tight budget. Sponsors also are looking at possibly funding the project with federal money, something Patridge said he could definitely support. "I understand the discomfort of placing your child in the hands of a total stranger, but I understand the reality that it also cannot be avoided," Patridge said. "But by establishing standards, conducting on-site health and safety review visits, registering child-care providers, and maintaining experienced, sufficiently trained, and properly compensated child-care workers, we can alleviate much of the concern. "Today, in Oregon we cannot afford to not protect our children � because they are Oregon�s future." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.