There is no shortage of proposals for how to make child care more affordable in Washington and ease costs on providers. But these ideas require significant public investment, say advocates.

One idea is to expand the state’s Working Connections program by raising the income eligibility levels so more middle-income parents qualify for vouchers to receive low-cost child care in centers and home-based facilities.

Working Connections pays the full or partial cost of child care for around 61,000 children statewide, including more than 19,000 children in King County, according to the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

To be eligible under current law, families can earn no more than 60% of the state median income at the time of enrollment. This month, a family of four can earn n

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