Whitmer pitches $1.4 billion plan making Michigan child care more affordable

Seizing what she called “an opportunity to make historic, lasting investments in child care,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a proposal on Monday to invest $1.4 billion in federal child care funding to make taking care of kids more affordable for working parents in Michigan.

At a press conference at a child care center in Troy, Whitmer announced plans to increase access to childcare, arguing doing so would accelerate the state’s economic growth and returning to work efforts.

“Every family in Michigan deserves to have access to safe, affordable quality child care that meets their needs,” Whitmer said. “Our state’s economic recovery depends on us getting this right.” 

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-11) emphasized Whitmer’s childcare proposal was made possible through funding from the federal American Rescue Plan, calling it “the largest investment ever in the history of the United States for daycare and childcare in America.” Stevens said the plan would be critical to Michigan’s economic recovery.

“We are ready to get back to work, but it’s not possible unless we address this daycare challenge,” Stevens said.