GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For the third day in a row Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for a more than $1 billion plan to expand child care options in the state. She was in Grand Rapids Wednesday to promote the idea.

Whitmer says her plan is three-fold — provide safe and quality childcare to children in the state, help support the family and assist small businesses that are desperately looking for employees to return to the workforce.

She says childcare is a major key to get parents back on the job.

“It’s clearer than ever that our economic recovery depends on quality, affordable child care because if parents know that their kids are cared for, they don’t have to worry about that. They can be more engaged and more effective in their workplaces. We have to tackle both sides of the equation. We have to incentivize parents to jump back into the workforce as our recovery continues to pick up. We have to give them the support so they can do it with peace of mind and quality support for their kids,” Whitmer said.

On Tuesday, the governor joined a bipartisan group of legislators who announced a bill package that they say will make it easier for day care providers to start up and remain in business.

On Monday, Whitmer proposed a $1.4 billion expenditure on child care by using federal funds from the American Recovery Act.

Below, watch the full press conference