Hobbs proposes Working Families Childcare Act aimed at cutting childcare costs by two-thirds
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Summary
Governor Hobbs proposed the Working Families Childcare Act to reduce childcare costs by about two-thirds through employer partnerships and other measures, citing nearly $15,000 average annual childcare costs and economic losses from childcare disruptions.
Governor Katie Hobbs urged the legislature to pass the Working Families Childcare Act and said the proposal will cut childcare costs by two-thirds by leveraging partnerships with employers and other supports.
"On average, an Arizona family pays nearly $15,000 a year for childcare," Hobbs said, and she added that about 75,000 Arizona children have parents who need childcare but cannot access it. She also highlighted a state-level economic cost: "childcare disruptions cost our state $1,000,000,000 of dollars in economic activity" annually, according to her remarks.
Hobbs characterized the proposal as a win for families, employers and children, saying that reduced childcare costs will help parents participate in the workforce and improve children—s outcomes. She framed the act as part of a broader push to lower everyday costs for families alongside housing and education initiatives.
The governor asked for bipartisan cooperation to enact the measure and described it as part of the administration—s strategy to support working families.