Allegan and Van Buren County Senator Aric Nesbitt has called for an audit of the Michigan Child Development and Care Program, also known as MiLeap. This program, which helps low-income families with child care costs, receives over $540 million in taxpayer support annually. Nesbitt expressed concerns about potential fraud within the program, citing similar issues in Minnesota. He emphasized the need for oversight to ensure taxpayer money is used appropriately.
Nesbitt sent a letter to Michigan Auditor General Doug Ringler, requesting an investigation into the program's operations. According to Nesbitt's website, he stated, "We must make sure these taxpayer dollars are being spent to help Michigan families, not foreign scammers." The senator's request comes amid heightened scrutiny of child care programs nationwide, following reports of fraud in other states.
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) oversees the program and maintains that it is subject to regular audits. Camara Lewis, a spokesperson for MiLeap, stated that the department has a zero-tolerance policy for fraud and will take action against any misuse of funds. The program receives the majority of its funding from the federal government, with $162 million coming from Michigan's General Fund.
Curtis Hertel, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, criticized Nesbitt's actions, suggesting they were a distraction from his voting record against expanding pre-kindergarten access. The outcome of Nesbitt's audit request remains uncertain, as it is unclear how the Auditor General's office will respond.