Tom Keyes for State Senate

Sandwich, MA—Today Tom Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senate in the Plymouth & Barnstable District, sharply criticized Senate President Therese Murray for the Senate’s action in forcing home daycare centers to be unionized.  The amendment that passed is anti-small business and would force hundreds of home based daycare centers to be unionized.

“Today’s actions by the Senate forcing home daycare centers to be unionized is anti-small business.  It will result in higher daycare costs for parents,” said Keyes.  “She has really let down her constituents and the small businesses in her district.”

If the bill is signed into law, workers at home-based daycare centers along with the providers themselves will automatically become state employees and unionized if the center cares for one child receiving a state voucher.  

Proponents claim it will help ensure quality care, but Keyes believes that if children are not getting quality care then the state should revoke the license.  

Keyes is also extremely bothered that the legislation is specifically aimed at small businesses.  Larger daycare centers such as KinderCare were exempt.  

“Senator Murray has forgotten the people of her district.  All she cares about are the big unions based out of Boston,” said Keyes.  “She either doesn’t understand the consequences of the Senate’s actions today or she doesn’t care about all those home based daycare centers and parents who will be forced to pay more.”  

Keyes estimates that there are 150 home based daycare centers in the district.  

“Our state’s economy is only going to grow when the State House gets off the back of the small business community that creates 3 out of every 4 new jobs,” said Keyes.

Keyes warns that parents are going to have to pay more for daycare due to this bill.  “This involuntary unionization is going to raise the cost of daycare.  Either these businesses will be forced to increase their prices or they will refuse to take children on vouchers leaving many parents with no option,” added Keyes.

Keyes, 45, has served on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and as a Sandwich Selectman.  He has also served on numerous boards and committees including: Water Quality Review Committee, Sandwich Economic Development Committee as liaison of the Board of Selectmen , Cemetery Commission, Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, the 21st Century Taskforce to review the Cape Cod Commission and draft operational changes to the County Commissioners, President of the Cape Cod Selectmen and Councilors’ Association and Board of Directors, and member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Selectmen and Councilors’ Association.

Keyes founded his private practice, Keyes Quality Systems in 1998, providing consulting and contract services in management, ethics and compliance.  He and his wife, Melissa have two daughters, Madelynn, and Julia.

For more information on Tom’s candidacy, voters can visit his website www.VoteKeyes.com

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