New Mexico will officially become the first state in the United States to offer free universal child care starting next week. This initiative, championed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, aims to alleviate the financial burden on families, saving them an average of $12,000 annually on child care expenses. All families, regardless of income, will benefit from this significant policy change.
Governor Lujan Grisham highlighted the pressing need for affordable child care, noting that in 41 states, child care costs often exceed mortgage payments. Many families, like those of Santa Fe teachers Hannah Mierley and Nathan Herzog, have experienced this firsthand. The couple spends over $14,000 annually for care for their toddler, Atticus. “It is all of the leftover budget that we have,” Herzog commented, while Mierley added, “It’s second to our mortgage.”
Funding for this ambitious child care plan will derive from New Mexico’s oil and gas revenues. The governor emphasized the importance of a robust early childhood education system, stating, “All sectors of our economy are overperforming. You can’t stay that course unless you have a robust early childhood and child care setting.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 67% of women with children under five are part of the labor force, a percentage that has declined in recent years. The New Mexico initiative not only covers costs but also expands access by recruiting and licensing more registered home providers, including qualified family members, to meet the increasing demand for child care services.
In addition to the immediate financial relief, the program will establish a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund aimed at the construction, expansion, and renovation of child care facilities. An additional $20 million has been requested for 2027 to further support this initiative.
When questioned about criticisms labeling the program as a Democratic handout, Lujan Grisham asserted, “I say it’s a Democrat that’s got twice the national average in economic output. This is about investing in mothers and fathers, being able to go back to the workforce.”
For families like Mierley and Herzog, this initiative represents a transformative opportunity. “It gives us some relief,” Mierley said. Herzog added, “It’s the first time that we can really start thinking about, ‘How do I prepare for Atticus’ future?'”
As New Mexico prepares to implement this groundbreaking program, it stands as a model for other states considering similar measures to support working families and enhance early childhood education.
