Dearborn Workers on the Line as Michigan Lawmakers Push $10 Million Childcare Funding Bill

The Bill

Michigan House Democrats introduced legislation Tuesday to permanently fund two workplace childcare programs that serve families across Dearborn and the rest of the state.

The bills would codify $10 million in annual funding for MI Tri-Share and MI Care-Share, programs that currently require lawmakers to approve funding each session.

Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, and Rep. Matt Longjohn, D-Kalamazoo, announced the legislation at a press conference in Lansing.

"Childcare is a workforce and economic issue. If parents cannot afford childcare, they cannot work. Businesses lose out on workers, parents cannot generate income, and our state's economy suffers."

Those were the words of Rep. Mai Xiong during the announcement, according to reporting by WLNS.

How the Programs Work

MI Tri-Share splits childcare costs equally among three parties: the employee, the employer, and the state. The program is available to employees earning less than 400% of the federal poverty limit.

MI Care-Share allows employers to contribute one-third of childcare costs for employees who do not meet the income requirement for Tri-Share.

The programs currently serve nearly 900 eligible employees statewide and cover the costs of 1,200 children, according to the lawmakers' announcement. The programs have reached their 300th business partnership since the pilot launched in 2021.

Why Dearborn Matters

Dearborn is home to Ford Motor Company's global headquarters and a large working-class population. Workplace childcare programs like Tri-Share directly affect Ford employees and workers at other major Dearborn employers.

Dearborn has one of the highest concentrations of working families in Michigan. The city's population is more than 94,000, and it ranks among the most diverse cities in the state. Childcare costs are a persistent barrier for Dearborn families trying to enter or stay in the workforce.

"When I served on the Workforce Development Board as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner, one of the top barriers cited for job seekers entering the workforce was childcare," Rep. Julie Rogers said, according to MidMichigan Now. "Unaffordable childcare is fueling Michigan's healthcare workforce shortage by making it harder for nurses and other essential healthcare workers to stay in the profession."

The Political Fight

The bills face an uncertain path in the Republican-controlled House. Democrats are seeking bipartisan support, but Republicans have not yet signaled whether they will back permanent funding for the programs.

The legislation comes as Michigan lawmakers debate multiple childcare and workforce issues. A separate initiative launched by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) created a statewide support hub for childcare businesses, funded through a federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five.

That effort, announced June 2, partners the Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute to provide coaching, technical assistance, and financing access to childcare business owners.

What Happens Next

The Tri-Share and Care-Share codification bills now move through the legislative process. If passed, the $10 million annual appropriation would be written into state law rather than requiring yearly legislative approval.

The bills could expand access for more Dearborn families and give employers a clearer path to offering childcare benefits.

This story was reported by James Thornton for Michigan Capitol.