“The Tri-Share Child Care Program is simple math. Parents who are facing sometimes $30,000, $35,000 in the cost of childcare for two or more kids, they get to look at splitting that cost by a third: the parent or caregiver pays a third, their employer pays a third, and the state or federal government pays a third.”
Grand Rapids’ Democrat U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten is introducing a bipartisan bill that would take the Tri-Share Program national. Michigan pioneered a pilot version two years ago, and it’s now available in over a dozen other states. Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives at Grand Rapids Chamber Andy Johnston.
“Childcare issues result in an estimated $2.8 billion loss annually for Michigan’s economy. Fifty-two percent of parents need to make a significant adjustment to their school or work training due to childcare issues.”
Rolled out with bipartisan support in other states, Scholten believes, will lead to the bill’s passage.
“We hope leadership takes note, recognizes what a Godsend this would be to the American people, and puts it on the floor sooner rather than later.”
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