Kane appointed to Commission that could let candidates use campaign funds for childcare

The Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, has appointed Shrewsbury State Representative Hannah Kane to a special commission that will examine the chance of enabling candidates for public office in the Commonwealth to use campaign funds for childcare expenses.

The “Special Commission on Family Care and Child Care Services” will review similar state and federal laws; develop of parameters for what constitutes an allowable use of funds for childcare; and determine of what safeguards should be in place to ensure the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) can adequately vet expenditures.

Texas, Alabama, and Wisconsin currently permit the use of campaign funds for childcare expenses.

“I am honored that Governor Baker appointed me to serve on this Commission looking into expanding the allowed use of campaign funds for family and childcare services and I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners,” Representative Kane said in a statement submitted to the press.

Seven legislators, including Representative Kane, serve on the eleven-member Commission. The official delegation is chaired by Watertown Representative John Lawn and Andover Senator Barry Finegold. The other legislators are Sutton Senator Ryan Fattman, Holden Representative Kimberly Ferguson, and the House and Senate Co-chairs of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, Boston Representative Elizabeth Malia, and Arlington Senator Cindy Friedman.

The Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Jill Ashton; the OCPF Director Michael Sullivan; and Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts, also serve on the Commission.

The Commission will release a report of its findings and recommendations by June 1st, 2020.

State Representative Hannah Kane represents the Eleventh Worcester District that covers the town of Shrewsbury and precincts 4 and 5 in the town of Westborough.

Related:

“I love being the Shrewsbury chief advocate on Beacon Hill” – Getting to know Hannah Kane