Seventeen years ago, I was faced with a tough decision. I was a new mom struggling with the high cost of childcare. I was questioning whether it was worth handing over basically my entire paycheck every month to pay for the childcare that allowed me to get back to work. I was on the brink of leaving my job. And let me be honest, if I had taken a break from work until my children were old enough for elementary school, I probably wouldn’t be in Congress today.

Unfortunately, my predicament is a familiar experience for working parents. 

There’s a shortage of childcare workers. As a result, there’s a shortage of good childcare options for parents. And if you do find childcare, the cost can be exorbitant. (At an average of $2,635 a month, the cost can sometimes be higher than a monthly mortgage!)

I’ve heard these frustrations from so many New Jersey parents like me. As a working mom of four, I know it’s long past time to do something about it.

What would affordable childcare mean for you and your family?

I introduced a bill that would ensure families pay no more than $10 a day for childcare. It would cap costs at 7% of a family’s income, and some low-income families wouldn’t pay anything. It would also raise pay for childcare workers to help strengthen the workforce and improve access.

I know this legislation would make a profound difference in people’s lives, because I’ve experienced the effects of extreme childcare costs myself. 

Today, I want to hear what better access to affordable childcare would mean for your family. Will you take a minute to complete our brief survey?

Thank you for all you do,

Mikie