Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that over $70 million for child care will go to 344 brand new child care providers. This will create over 12,000 new slots for families in need across New York state.
With an emphasis on over 500 slots open during nontraditional hours, Hochul stated the importance of this, “…because our essential workers have to work in healthcare settings around the clock. They are cleaning our hotel rooms and our restaurants. […] They’re driving buses, they’re out there making this city and state run.”
Hochul stated that over 2,000 child care programs, with over 20,000 slots, were lost over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hochul shared her insight on the child care crisis, mentioning, she’s not just “the first woman governor of New York but the first mom governor of New York.” Hochul said “34 years ago as a working mom […] I loved my work but the days were long, there were a lot of all nighters […] and when I had my first son, […] there was no child care. [I] had to sacrifice and give up a job that I truly loved.”
Her first-hand experience with the lack of proper child care gives Hochul a better understanding of New York’s dire needs.
While she stated child care has gotten better in recent years, she goes on to say that the COVID-19 pandemic took many women workers out of their jobs. While some essential workers like health care providers and restaurant workers stayed on the front lines, others were forced back home.
Now, nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the workforce has not been able to gain those women workers back. There are currently over 2 million fewer women in the workforce, and as many child care centers closed, families were left without help. They lack the resources to have both parents go back to work and financially provide for the family.
“Insufficient child care resources have a tremendous effect on our economy, keeping parents from returning to work,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. “It is critical for us to improve care, especially in underserved areas where parents have to struggle with the painful and unacceptable choices of whether to keep their jobs and leave their young children home alone with no care at all or quit their jobs and not be able to feed their children and keep a roof over their heads.”
Hochul added that we are having an “affordability crisis, it is just too expensive for too many families and it puts [child care] out of reach.” Building on that, she said, “a typical New York family has to spend 40% of their income on child care for 2 kids.”
This crisis disproportionally affects Black and brown communities, where Hochul stated a lot of our workers come from. These already disenfranchised communities are unable to bring home the money needed to care for their children.
Hochul and State Senator Jamaal Bailey signed legislation that would exempt adult and children’s diapers, including disposable diapers, from all sales and use taxes. With diapers being an undeniably important, and very expensive, part of caring for young children, this financial aid allows parents to have ease of mind knowing that their children will have access to clean diapers.
“As a dad to two young girls, childcare access is deeply personal. Lack of affordable childcare is an economic justice and social justice issue that disproportionately impacts women of color and communities in child care deserts like the Bronx.” said Bailey. “I want to thank Governor Hochul for this bold investment in quality, affordable childcare and for signing my bill with Assemblyman Sayegh to end local taxes on diapers. Diapers are often the largest expense for parents and caretakers across the state. Today’s investment is a huge step in the right direction and will help families in the Bronx and across New York State afford their essential childcare needs.”
