Washington, D.C. – Local parents and children will join Congressman Gary Peters Friday at a preschool/daycare center in Troy to announce the introduction of Congressman Peters’ first bill, legislation to help parents afford the rapidly rising cost of child care.  Rep. Peters’ bill, the Helping Families Afford to Work Act, would create a tax credit worth up to $6,000 to help families offset child care, preschool and dependent care costs.  Parents will discuss how the rising cost of child care is squeezing their budget—making it difficult to afford to work.  Peters will say that while Congress must continue to create jobs, we must also make it possible for parents to afford to take a job.

According to a recent report by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the average price of full-time center care in the U.S. increased almost twice the rate of inflation over the course of a year.  The group says that the average Michigan family spends between $6,300 and $9,300 a year for child care.  The group also reports that other than food and shelter, preschool and child care are two of the most costly household expenditures for families.

More details on the Helping Families Afford to Work Act and the rapidly rising cost of child care will be available Friday.

WHAT:  Announcement of Introduction of “Helping Families Afford to Work Act”

WHO:  Congressman Peters, Local Parents and Kids

WHEN:  10:45 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009

WHERE: Troy Cooperative Preschool (and licensed day care center), located in First United Methodist Church, 6363 Livernois Rd., Troy, MI 48098