Where Do Trump and Biden Stand on Child Care?
Where do the two candidates stand on funding for family child care providers?
Trump on child care
In December 2019 Trump laid out some principles for child care reform. One of the reforms included a recognition that there should be funding to help increase the number of providers. He supported the development of family child care providers “as a small business and entrepreneurship opportunity.” The reforms also called for “common sense” regulations that don’t burden providers.
His 2020 budget earmarked $1 billion to increase affordable care options and increased by 2.4 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDB) program.
Trump’s 2021 budget calls for spending $1 billion “to build the supply of care and stimulate employer investment in child care, and funds child care and early learning to help families access and afford the care they need.” It also called to maintain funding for Head Start and the CCDB program. There were no further details in his budget or on his website.
Biden on child care
Biden has proposed spending $775 billion on child care over 10 years. According to his website, he wants to “Ensure access to high-quality, affordable child care and offer universal preschool to three-and-four-years-olds through greater investment, expanded tax credits, and sliding-scale subsidies.
Build safe, energy-efficient, developmentally appropriate child care facilities, including in workplaces, so that parents and guardians never again have to search in vain for a suitable child care option.
Treat caregivers and early childhood educators with respect and dignity, and give them the pay and benefits they deserve, training and career ladders to higher-paying jobs, the choice to join a union and bargain collectively, and other fundamental work-related rights and protections.”
These funds would be raised by rolling back unequal tax breaks for real estate investors with incomes over $400,000 and increasing tax compliance for high-income earners.
For more information on Biden's plan, go here, and here and here.
Tom Copeland - www.tomcopelandblog.com
Image credits: https://www.amazon.com/President-Donald-Trump-America-Signage/dp/B08GTV13N9?dchild=1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/slgc/50427859616
