Senator Boxer working for more affordable childcare   

Wednesday, January 21, 2009  

Dear Friend:

I am pleased to let you know that I recently introduced legislation designed to make child care more accessible and affordable by increasing the federal child care tax credit and flex savings account limit, expanding federal tax credits to businesses that offer child care, and creating a tax credit to encourage more college graduates to work in child care. 

In this difficult economic environment, it is more important than ever that we make sure that parents don’t have to choose between working and taking care of their children.  This legislation is designed to help families pay for a very important service, and I want to ensure that the care that is received is top quality.

The Right Start Child Care and Education Act would:
•   Increase the maximum federal child care tax credit from $3,000   
     to $6,000 for one child and up to $12,000 for families with more
     children.
•   Increase the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account from
     $5,000 to $7,500.
•    Expand the tax credit from $150,000 to $225,000 for employers   
     to construct workplace child care facilities.
•    Provide a tax credit of up to $2,000 a year for three years for
     college graduates who decide to enter the child care field.

High-quality child care programs can help children perform better in math, language, and reading and help to reduce behavioral problems.  And while Congress first created a tax deduction for child care over 50 years ago, the amount has increased only once since 1981.  Clearly, times have changed since then, and it is time to increase the tax deduction for child care and make these other sensible adjustments.  Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) has introduced a companion bill in the House.

Sincerely,