[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1542-S1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BEGICH:
  S. 2180. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
a tax credit for professional school personnel in early childhood 
education, to expand the deduction for certain expenses of teachers to 
teachers in early childhood education, and to modify the credit for 
dependent care services; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a package of legislation, 
the Keep Investing in Developmental Success, KIDS, Act of 2012. These 
three early childhood bills will address access, quality and 
affordability in early education programs.
  These bills, S. 2180, S. 2181, and S. 2182, are a step towards a 
commitment to effective early education programs. We all want America's 
kids ready to learn and ready to succeed when they enter school.
  All the data shows early education is one of the strongest predictors 
of graduation.
  The payoff is clear: every dollar invested in early education 
programs today returns $16 in better outcomes for individuals, families 
and communities. You can't find a better investment and the payoff is 
very clear when you see and talk to the kids who have gone through Head 
Start.
  One snowy night about a month ago in Anchorage, I met with about 50 
strongly committed Alaska educators to talk about how to improve our 
schools and prepare our students for the competitive 21st century 
economy.
  From that conversation arose the idea for three bills I am 
introducing today.
  First, we will amend the tax code to provide a tax credit for early 
childhood educators. The Tax Relief for Early Educators Act will expand 
the deductions for certain expenses for early childhood education and 
increase the child care tax credit so more parents can afford to put 
their children in quality early child development programs.
  Right now, a family pays more than $1,400 a month for two young 
children. For most working families, that is not only a hardship, that 
is out of reach. Because employees of early childhood programs tend to 
earn low wages, we also will offer them a tax credit of up to $3,000 
and expand the deduction for certain expenses to early childhood 
educators.
  Second, we will create a new student loan forgiveness program for 
graduates of associate's or bachelor's programs in early education. The 
Preparing and Reinvesting in Early Education Act, or

[[Page S1543]]

PRE ED, will provide needed relief for early educators and encourage 
more to work with kids through age five. Well-trained educators 
providing quality early education to our children makes all the 
difference in a child's success.
  Third, we need to reward companies offering onsite or near-site 
childcare with a company cost-share. We know it works for the company 
and for the employee--just look around our state.
  In Alaska BP, Credit Union One and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital are 
great examples. They all offer quality onsite centers. They know it 
makes more productive employees.
  The Child Care Public-Private Partnership Act will establish a 
program to provide child care through partnerships. Through new grant 
incentives for small and medium companies, we can help more Alaska 
companies do the same.
  This package of bills, the KIDS Act, is not a new idea, and I 
appreciate my colleagues who have come before this body with similar 
proposals. However, this is the time to pass these bills--for working 
families struggling to make ends meet. Parents should have access to 
affordable, high-quality early care and learning services, early 
childhood educators should have liveable wages and benefits and 
business will be more productive.
  In closing, let me say I feel very privileged to be involved with 
policy discussions and the formation of bills such as these. This is a 
bipartisan issue. I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in 
cosponsoring these bills and I urge their quick action and approval.

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