Presidential Candidates Show Strong Support for Work-Family Issues; Take Care Net to Release Survey Findings at Jan. 13 NPC Forum 1/13/2004
From: Nancy Segal, 301-270-3593, or Sangita Nayak, 414-274-0926 WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- On the eve of the Iowa caucus, one area emerges where the nine Democratic candidates show striking unanimity -- support for policies to help workers manage work and family responsibilities, a growing priority for American voters. The candidates replied to a survey from Take Care Net, an alliance of more than 300 work-life experts calling for public policies to support paid and unpaid caregivers. Survey results will be released at the National Press Club Jan. 13 at noon.President Bush's campaign will not be responding to candidate surveys until March. Take Care Net notes the public positions of the President where they are available and encourages him to embrace the policies identified in this survey. Speakers at the Press Club event will underscore the importance of these issues from personal experience, research and polling. "The Take Care Net survey findings are enormously encouraging," said Ellen Bravo, director of 9to5, survey author and a member of the Take Care Net steering committee. "Voters are hungry for leaders who offer concrete solutions and leadership on work-family issues." Bravo noted that most of the candidates are offering proposals of their own on early education or family leave. Janine Bacquie, Early Childhood Coordinator, Montgomery County, Maryland, will speak about the impact of inadequate child care and after-school funding. Kevin Knussman, a former Maryland state trooper who successfully sued the state of Maryland, will discuss the hardship he faced after being denied leave to care for his wife and newborn. Joining them will be Eileen Appelbaum, professor and director of the Center for Women and Work, Rutgers University, and member of Take Care Net Steering Committee. Appelbaum will share insights from research on work-life issues, illustrating the costs to children, families, employers and society when policies are lacking. Celinda Lake, of the Lake, Snell, Perry polling firm, will summarize findings from a number of polls that demonstrate strong voter support for work and family policies. American University's Women & Politics Institute is co- sponsoring the event. | |