Michigan Moms Push for Childcare Credit, Energy Relief and Maternal Health Bills

TL;DR: Michigan mothers are urging lawmakers to pass a $5,500 childcare tax credit, an Energy Bill Relief Act to curb utility costs, and measures to lower the state’s preventable maternal mortality rate.

Context Abby Jacobs, a tech professional and co‑founder of the state’s Chamber of Mothers, says she is tired of pausing her family plans to afford childcare. Elizabeth Hauptman, a former asthma patient’s mother, leads the state chapter of Moms Clean Air Force and is focused on reducing energy bills and pollution. Both represent a broader coalition of mothers who see child‑rearing costs and health risks as barriers to economic participation.

Key Facts - A recent survey of roughly 100 Michigan mothers found that 50 % delayed or forwent additional children because of childcare expenses. Jacobs cites this as the primary reason she has not had a fourth child. - The proposed Building Blocks package would create a $5,500 tax credit for families with children under three, expand the Rx Kids cash‑support program to 39 communities, and make permanent the Tri‑Share pilot that splits childcare costs among employers, the state and families. - The Energy Bill Relief Act, introduced in the U.S. House in March 2026, seeks to stop utilities from passing high‑usage costs—such as those from data centers—onto consumers and to fund clean‑energy tax credits, aiming to lower household electricity bills and cut pollution that fuels asthma in an estimated 141 000 Michigan children. - Michigan’s maternal mortality rate stands at about 19 deaths per 100,000 live births, with 75 % deemed preventable, highlighting a critical gap in maternal health services.

What It Means If enacted, the childcare credit could reduce out‑of‑pocket expenses for thousands of families, potentially reversing the trend of delayed births. The clean‑energy provisions would lower utility bills while addressing the air‑quality factors that exacerbate asthma, aligning economic relief with public‑health goals. Reducing preventable maternal deaths would require targeted interventions, such as expanded prenatal care and postpartum support, which the Building Blocks package begins to address through cash assistance.

The bills remain in various legislative stages: the Building Blocks measures sit in the Michigan Senate, while the Energy Bill Relief Act awaits House action. Success will depend on bipartisan support and employer participation in the Tri‑Share model.

Looking ahead, watch for committee hearings on the Building Blocks package and any amendments to the Energy Bill Relief Act that could broaden its clean‑energy tax credits or tighten utility cost controls.