Whitmer, Senate Democrats focus on policies targeting littlest Michiganders
At the Livonia Early Childcare Center, Whitmer said over the last two years, enrollment in Michigan's free pre-K program has increased by 24%. She said 56% of Michigan four-year-olds are enrolled, calling it the highest share in over a decade. The data on the number of four-year-olds enrolled in free pre-K programs this school year comes from school districts' preliminary reports, according to a press release from Whitmer's office.
But there remains a huge gap between the number of families with four-year-olds eligible for free pre-K and those with children enrolled in the program. In Michigan, those with a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines ($124,800 or less for a family of four in 2024) can access free pre-k under the state's current budget. That covers about 77% of four-year-olds, according to a Michigan League of Public Policy (MLPP) analysis of census data.
That leaves about a 21-percentage-point gap between the number of four-year-olds enrolled in free pre-K and the number who are eligible for the program under the current income threshold, according to the data provided by Whitmer and MLPP. Those with higher household incomes may access a free pre-k slot for their four-year-olds depending on availability, but the program gives priority to those below 400% of federal poverty guidelines.
Whitmer said she wants to see more families take advantage of free pre-K. "Some parents choose not to send their kids or they home school and that's fine. But for everyone who is not doing that we want them to take advantage of this opportunity," Whitmer told reporters after a press conference in Livonia Wednesday. In addition to helping children, free pre-K also saves families money, she said.
U.P. GOP lawmaker: Cash aid program is not 'just a flat out government handout'
Democratic state lawmakers rolled out other policy proposals aimed at cutting costs for families. They unveiled proposals Wednesday to create a $5,500 tax credit for eligible working families with children under three years old. Those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit would qualify for the proposed tax credit, which Senate Democrats have called the "Working Parents Tax Credit. Proponents characterize it as a way to provide support for parents and boost labor force participation, particularly of women.
Senate Democrats also proposed expanding a cash program for pregnant women and babies. Under the program, pregnant women, regardless of income, would receive $1,500 initially and then $500 every month during the first year of their baby's life. The program — called Rx Kids — started in Flint and recently expanded to Kalamazoo and parts of the Upper Peninsula.
"When babies are born into and grow up in poverty, it is a pathogen. It makes kids sick," said Flint pediatrician and Rx Kids Director Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha at a press conference Wednesday where she joined Senate Democrats. "Rx Kids is a prescription for health, hope and opportunity."
Republicans have eyed an income tax cut as a way to provide relief for families, introducing House legislation to reduce the state income tax rate from 4.25% to 4.05%.
"So many families are struggling right now just to keep up with rising costs — whether it's groceries, gas, housing, or child care," said bill sponsor Kathy Schmaltz, R-Jackson, in a March 5 statement. She suggested state government doesn't need all of the tax revenue collected from the current income tax and should put that money in the pockets of Michigan workers.
"Republicans continue to support providing real tax relief to Michiganders and shrinking the size of state government," said Senate Minority Leader and GOP gubernatorial candidate Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, in a statement Wednesday responding to the proposals of Senate Democrats.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Democrats eye tax credit, cash program for young families
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