UPDATE: Hundreds of parents, providers, and advocates are converging on Albany, New York, today to demand urgent action for universal child care. The rally, set for Tuesday, October 31, 2023, is aimed at pressuring state lawmakers to enact universal child care legislation this year.
Attendees are celebrating Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent budget proposal as a significant win in their years-long fight for accessible child care.
“Now we’ll have the ability to have our children go out and get what they need, parents can go work hours if needed, and the support is unanimous with everything we’ve been doing for all these years,”
said Cheryl Wearen of the Children’s Agenda in Rochester.
Currently, Governor Hochul is assessing the timeline for universal child care in upstate New York, referencing three pilot programs located in Monroe, Broome, and Duchess counties. Each county is set to receive $20 million to fund these initiatives, which are part of a broader strategy to inform future policies. The governor told Capital Tonight that the success of these pilot programs will be pivotal in determining the rollout timeline for universal child care across the state.
The proposed universal child care initiative comes with a staggering total cost of $4.5 billion, with over a quarter of that amount earmarked for expanding child care subsidies. Advocates argue that this funding is crucial for supporting families and ensuring that parents can work without the added stress of child care challenges.
As the rally unfolds, the urgency for action is palpable, with many participants expressing hope that this movement will lead to swift legislative changes. The outcome of today’s demonstrations could significantly impact the future of child care accessibility in New York, making it a critical moment for families statewide.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and find out how lawmakers respond to the passionate call for universal child care.
