Nebraska Poll Shows Strong Support for Tax Credits, Head Start and Child Care Modernization Act
New statewide polling from UpONE Insights, conducted on behalf of the First Five Nebraska and First Five Years Fund (FFYF), finds strong bipartisan agreement that child care is a serious challenge for working families in Nebraska. The poll also shows broad support for making child care a priority in state and federal policy.
Nebraskans also recognize child care has a strong connection to the health of the state's workforce and economy. Voters in the state overwhelmingly believe families should be able to find and afford the child care options that work best for their unique needs.
“Nebraska families are feeling the strain of high child care costs” said FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling. "Nearly 8 in 10 voters say child care costs are part of the broader affordability crisis facing this country, and half of parents paying for care say it's keeping them from getting ahead financially. This is the reality for families across Nebraska, and it's time for lawmakers to act.”
Jason Prokop, Co-President of Early Futures Partnership, which includes the First Five Nebraska initiative, said the results show that voters support policy action at both the federal and state levels, including strong support for state child tax credits.
“The poll shows that 76% of Nebraskans support a state child tax credit and 74% support an expanded credit for families with children from birth to age 5,” Prokop said. “Understanding these poll results can help inform elected officials as we work to ensure quality, accessible and affordable child care for working families.”
Other data highlights from the poll
73% of Nebraska voters say the ability to find and afford quality child care is a crisis or major problem.
70% of voters agree that increasing access to high-quality child care will strengthen Nebraska’s economy and workforce.
66% believe federal funding for child care should be increased or kept the same.
Nearly 60% of voters support the Child Care Modernization Act, introduced by Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer, to strengthen the primary federal child care program.
Nearly 60% of voters support increased state funding toward child care.
Nebraska voters also continue to strongly support Head Start, the federally funded and locally run program that provides early learning, health and nutrition services to young children from low-income families.
72% of Nebraska voters support Head Start.
64% oppose eliminating funding for the program.
For additional results from the poll, please visit the Nebraska Polling Memo