Want to put $14,000 back into the pockets of families with little kids? Follow Michigan’s example and offer universal pre-kindergarten:
Michigan’s initiative to offer free pre-kindergarten for all is paying off, state educators said Wednesday, as the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, also known as MiLEAP, touted nearly 53,000 applications on file since June.
Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP’s deputy director, said during a virtual news conference that the figure had grown by 700 applications in one month and by 16% compared with the same time last year, when applications totaled more than 45,000 children.
…Laidlaw added that with just one child enrolled in the program, families could save $14,000 a year on childcare costs. Those savings were crucial for families navigating high costs of living and a stagnating economy [Ben Solis, “Nearly 53,000 Apply for Michigan’s Free Pre-K Program as Enrollment Grows,” Michigan Advance, 2026.08.20].
Michigan’s Legislature allocated $730.4 million to universal pre-K this year. That’s less than 1% of Michigan’s $75.2-billion budget. Even Michigan Republicans celebrate this investment in education:
State Rep. Mark Tisdel today highlighted bipartisan investments in the new state education budget that strengthen early literacy, expand access to prekindergarten programs, and create more opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school.
The 2026-27 budget, signed by the governor this week, increases the per-pupil foundation allowance by $250 to $10,300 while making targeted investments that help students succeed from early childhood through graduation.
“Students learn best when we invest in them every step of the way,” Tisdel said. “This budget strengthens the foundation by helping children become strong readers, expanding access to high-quality pre-K and giving more students the opportunity to earn college credit before they graduate. Those are smart investments that will pay dividends for families and for Michigan.”
The budget includes a $73 million, or 10%, increase for universal prekindergarten, expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities for Michigan families [Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-55/Rochester, MI), press release, Michigan House Republicans, 2026.07.23].
South Dakota remains one of just five states that doesn’t fund preschool.