Lawmakers in both the House and Senate want to let child care workers collectively bargain with the state over how much the state pays to subsidize low-income families, professional development for the workers, benefits and grievance procedures.

Low state reimbursement for care makes it hard for some child care centers to survive, said state Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle.  He's sponsoring the House version of the bill, HB 1329.

In the Senate, the prime sponsor is local Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane. His is SB 5572.

---

---