Kerry Wants Federal Afterschool Program

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=2&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_el_pr/kerry

Kerry Wants Federal Afterschool Program


By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Wednesday he would create a federal program that would pay to keep schools open until early evening to help working parents.


Kerry, visiting an after-school and summer school program center, said he would spend an additional $1.5 billion on after-school programs. He said he would get the money for keeping schools open until 6 p.m. from repealing President Bush's tax cuts for people earning more than $200,000 a year.


"I don't get it and I'm sure you don't either when you think of the choices that we make as adults in our country," Kerry said. "The wealthiest people in America are getting a huge walk-away-with-the-store tax break, but a whole bunch of kids who need to have after-school adult input aren't getting it."


Kerry also wants to give parents more money to help cover child care costs, to the tune of $20 billion over 10 years.


Kerry says he would raise the child and dependent care tax credit to cover up to $5,000 in expenses, up from the $3,000 maximum. He would extend the benefit to some parents who currently are not eligible, including stay-at-home parents and some in lower-income families who cannot get the nonrefundable credit because they do not owe any tax. <snip>

[Just Me]

1. That would be such a tremendous gift to working families.

While we are trying just to make a decent living, we are forced into the uncertain position of having latchkey kids. It's so difficult to maintain a healthy family in this country.

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x626191