Child care in Michigan

New ruling ‘will help open up doors for more parents to run for office,’ says lawmaker who requested the interpretation from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Trump says he’ll close the Department of Education and crack down on ‘Marxist maniacs infecting’ colleges. Will he follow through?

Bridge’s latest Lunch Break reader event featured a lively discussion about preK-12 education in Michigan this school year.

Trump and Harris have both backed an expanded child tax credit. The similarities end there.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan is providing ‘access to free pre-K for every 4-year-old.’ But less than half of eligible kids are expected to enroll.

Michigan Democrats cap a 19-hour marathon session with approval of an education budget they say will put money back into classrooms. Some school groups opposed the plan, along with all Republicans.

Policymakers should consider additional investment and improvements in transitional kindergarten, given how successful these programs appear to be in Michigan.

As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushes free preschool for all, private providers are worried that state House and Senate plans could force them to close instead of expand service.

Investing in early childhood education is not just an investment in individual children; it is an investment in the future of our state.

School aid budget proposals would limit the ability of community-based child-care providers to participate in the state’s publicly funded pre-K program. Policymakers should not ignore the voices of constituents.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday reiterated her case for paid family leave and other support for working moms, arguing during a national summit that mom-friendly policies are good for the economy.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to raise landfill fees to fund environmental cleanups and provide rebates for electric vehicles. Fellow Democrats are having second thoughts in the Legislature.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal to make preschool free and available to all families is a big task. The biggest hurdles for the state to overcome are shortages of qualified staff and too few affordable, quality child care spots for 4-year-olds.

In her sixth State of the State speech, Whitmer outlined 10 goals. Most are more modest than in years past, reflecting the reality of an election year and temporarily split House of Representatives.

The Democratic governor gave her sixth State of the State address on Wednesday. It was included about 10 goals, lots of references to 1980s rock anthems and praise for the Detroit Lions. Read the speech.

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares her 2024 State of the State address, did she accomplish her 2023 goals? Bridge Michigan analyzes the success of her priorities over the last year.

Childhood vaccination rates in Michigan are at their lowest since 2011 and remain slightly lower than national rates.

Some worker shortages hurt more than others, and state leaders are rushing to try to make it easier to fill vacancies from paramedics to special ed teachers.

New law mandates for filtered water bottle filling stations or faucets in all schools and daycare centers by 2026.

Federal pandemic funds helped child care providers raise salaries, buy new supplies and pay bills. They also boosted payments to childcare providers so parents could go to work. The funding ends Saturday.