Good public schools for every child and access to childcare are essential, but for too long Michigan families haven’t seen either in their communities. That’s why Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist made it a priority to create more opportunity in public education and child care - and didn’t let tough times get in the way. 

 

The Whitmer/Gilchrist administration signed a record $1.4 billion investment in child care, expanded access to preschool for 35,000 more 4-year-olds, expanded access to free or low-cost child care for 150,000 children in families who make less than $49,000, and delivered $1,000 bonuses to help recruit and retain child care workers.
 

With the new budget this year, funding went up to $19.6 billion - without raising taxes. Those investments even closed the funding gap between public schools in wealthy and low income neighborhoods, while also expanding access to mental health for students and eliminating wait lists for vital literacy programs like Great Start Readiness.