Proponents of the program say the money helps more than just low-income families, a fact they will try to impress upon lawmakers when they convene Jan. 15. Millions of dollars each year go toward quality initiatives for the child-care industry, which creates more than 40,000 jobs annually and has an estimated $820 million "ripple effect" on Utah business.

"While child-care subsidies support those low-income families who qualify, the child-care quality dollar supports everyone," said Lynette Rasmussen, director of the Office of Work and Family Life.

For every dollar invested in the child-care industry, the Department of Workforce Services estimates a $17 return for the state's economy. Rasmussen cites research showing that children in quality child-care programs have greater mathematical ability, better attention skills and fewer behavioral problems.

As adults, she said, they also tend to be more productive citizens and less of a burden on their communities and the economy. "There's just so many reasons why we need to be investing in children and high-quality child-care programs and high-quality after-school programs."

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com