EXCLUSIVE — Virginia GOP candidate John Reid, who is running for lieutenant governor, released a new policy plan on Wednesday that will expand access to child care for parents while reducing government spending and bolstering resources for home-based and faith-based providers.
National Republicans are riding the wave of victory from President Donald Trump‘s “big, beautiful bill,” which includes increasing the child tax credit to $2,200 for each child, an increase from $2,000.
Reid’s proposal encourages parents to take advantage of the child tax credit and advocates a significant expansion of the state-level child tax credit to cover child care in Virginia.
It also calls for reducing government spending in Virginia and looks instead to the private sector to create incentives for employer-sponsored child care through public-private partnerships through tax credits.
These public-private partnerships would entail converting unused properties into additional child care facilities and expanding vocational and trade-based pathways for child care workers.
The plan contrasts with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, whose child care plan relies on government subsidizing programs, employer grants, and the creation of new child care facilities on vacant properties.
“While Abigail’s plan is a starting point, it doesn’t go nearly far enough to keep government out of the way and allow free-market opportunity and investment in childcare,” Reid said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “My approach is about trusting parents and that means putting money back in families’ pockets through tax relief, expanding vocational training through dual enrollment, and unleashing the private sector to help meet demand.”
“We can address the childcare shortage without creating another government-run system,” he continued. “By cutting red tape, incentivizing local solutions, and encouraging business investment, we can expand access in a way that’s affordable, sustainable, and actually works for Virginia families.”
Both Reid, who is running against Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, and Spanberger have argued that affordable childcare is a necessity for struggling Virginia families and that the Commonwealth needs more qualified child care professionals.
The two candidates have also supported dual enrollment programs with community colleges to help increase the pipeline of child care workers, although Reid has expressed support for local vocational schools to help increase the number of child care workers.
Reid’s proposal would help put millions of dollars back into the pockets of families to decide on the best child care program.
Last week, Spanberger announced her affordable child care plan, including reducing the wait list for the child care subsidy program.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, her campaign pointed to the comments concerned parents have shared with Spanberger about the high costs of child care.
“As Governor, she has a plan to ensure more Virginians can afford childcare by making sure more families can participate in the childcare programs the Commonwealth offers, working with localities to find new sites for providers, and preparing more Virginians to take on new childcare roles,” said TaNisha Cameron, a campaign spokeswoman. “As a parent of three kids in Virginia public schools, she understands the challenges facing families across Virginia and will be focused on lowering childcare costs — and costs overall — on day one.”
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Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA), the GOP gubernatorial nominee, has advocated her Winsome CARES plan that would clear the state’s child care waitlist, retain educators, and, similarly to Reid, expand public-private partnerships.
The Virginia statewide races in November will be among the most closely watched elections this year, along with New Jersey, regarding how strong the Republican brand is under a second Trump presidency.
Republicans currently control the governor’s mansion as well as the lieutenant governor and attorney general positions. Earle-Sears is pushing to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) and help the GOP ticket maintain control of the three statewide seats.