Washtenaw County Legislator Kathy Schmaltz Co-Sponsors Bill to Establish Child Care Savings Accounts

by Denny Schwarze

In 2023, a bi-partisan group of Michigan legislators introduced House Bill 5265. The group included two Washtenaw County Reps., Democrat Jimmie Wilson, Jr. and Republican Kathy Schmaltz. In Oct. 2023, the then Democratically-controlled House read the Bill once and then referred the Bill to the Committee on Families, Childrens and Seniors, then chaired by Detroit Democrat Stephanie A. Young. The Bill, never taken up, would have created tax-free child savings accounts to help families defray the costs of caring for their children.

This week, State Representatives Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland), Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson) and Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland) introduced House Bills 4055-59. The trio say their plans meet Michigan’s affordability crisis head on by creating a state child tax credit, exempting infant and toddler items such as diapers from both sales tax and use taxes, and establishing Child Care Savings Accounts that allow parents to deduct money deposited for childcare costs from their taxable income.

“Michigan should be the best and most affordable state in the country to raise a family. If we want our state to thrive, that starts with taking care of our families,” Schuette said. “Giving Michiganders a break on the many expenses they face is a necessity. This package of bills will help hard-working families keep more of their hard-earned money and provide much needed financial relief as many work to balance the family budget.”

Schmaltz said their plan would make life a little easier for parents who are doing their best to provide for their children.

“The cost of diapers, childcare, and other essentials adds up quickly, and too many families are forced to make tough choices,” Schmaltz said. “By providing this much-needed relief, we’re helping parents focus on what truly matters – raising happy, healthy kids in a state that values and supports them.”

“Inflation has skyrocketed in recent years, and families need relief,” DeBoer said. “As representatives, it is our job to fight for positive change in the lives of the people we represent, and that’s exactly what this plan does.”

“House Republicans will continue to put the priorities of the people first,” Schuette said. “This is a major issue for many in districts we all represent – whether it’s a Republican or Democrat legislator – and I’m hopeful we can move these bills forward so families can start seeing relief.”