Governor Whitmer just signed a historic childcare investment into law
Governor Whitmer just signed a historic childcare investment into law
The new state budget passed last month allocates $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief funds towards childcare and allocates additional general fund money to:
- Bringing down costs and expand subsidies for 105,000 families
- Send 22,000 more four year olds to preschool for free
- Adding 105 million in funding for childcare businesses
- Giving $1,000 bonuses for childcare workers
Why is bringing down childcare costs important for Michigan families and our economy?
Child care for an infant or toddler can cost upward of $300 a week at many centers. Four years of child care can cost Michigan families as much as tuition at the University of Michigan. Before this investment, Michigan helped families with childcare costs less than almost any state.
- The cost of childcare can delay home ownership and keep some parents out of the workforce, according to a 2016 report for the Michigan Department of Education on child care access and affordability.
- Those costs also hobble businesses looking to attract or retain workers who must calculate whether their paychecks justify the cost of child care.
- Michigan’s overall workforce is down by 136,000 women compared to early 2020, with many saying lack of affordable childcare is a factor.
Here’s what people are saying about Governor Whitmer’s historic investment:
- Michigan $70B budget deal hailed for ‘historic investment’ in child care
- How Michigan families will benefit from a $1.4 billion investment in child care
- Whitmer signs new Michigan budget, says leaders found 'common ground'
- $70B Michigan budget deal includes spending boosts for child care, higher ed, infrastructure and more
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PAID FOR BY PROSPERITY MICHIGAN