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A2 UP FRONT
Monday 1 august 2022
States boost child care money as congressional effort stalls

Continued from Front made an average hourly
wage of $13.22 in the U.S.
Democrats in Washington in May 2021, according to
had big ambitions this year the Bureau of Labor Sta-
to boost child care subsi- tistics. The minimum wage
dies nationally as part of in New York ranges from
a broad domestic spend- $13.20 to $15 per hour, de-
ing bill. But with those plans pending on the part of the
stalled because of a lack state. “People have to go
of bipartisan support, some where the money is to sur-
states moved ahead with vive, and that is an issue for
plans of their own. us,” James said.
New York lawmakers “In New York City, we have
passed a state budget in some of the highest mini-
the spring that calls for it mum wages in the country,
to spend $7 billion to make but a minimum wage work-
child care more affordable er has to work 26 weeks at
over the next four years. a minimum wage to pay
The legislation will double for the child care for their
previous state support for family,” New York Gov.
government subsidies that Kathy Hochul, a Democrat,
help families shoulder part said Monday at an event
or all of their child care promoting the state’s child
costs. Eligibility will be ex- Children from a nearby daycare are escorted in Marcus Garvey Park in the Harlem neighborhood care investments. “That’s
panded to more middle- of New York Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. asking too much of our
income families. Under the Associated Press families.”
new rules, a family of four Although child care has
with an annual household seen increasing bipartisan
income of up to $83,250 will support in recent years,
be eligible for subsidies. some Republican lead-
New Mexico last spring ers are cautious about ex-
raised income eligibility panding government aid.
for subsidies to the highest “I support steps to create
level of any state. A fam- more quality, accessible
ily of four with an annual and reliable child care op-
household income of up to tions, especially as costs
$111,000 can now qualify continue to rise,” said New
for at least some govern- York’s GOP Assembly Minor-
ment aid. Until June 2023, ity Leader William Barclay
New Mexico will also waive in a statement. “However,
child care copays, which as we’ve seen repeatedly
saves families $400 to $900 in state programs, the lev-
per month, based on their el of spending and how
income level. funds are distributed must
Rhode Island lawmakers be closely monitored. Too
passed a state budget last often, state-run programs
month that provides a one- spiral out of control and
time tax credit of $250 per fail to provide the intended
child to help pay for child services. Despite the gov-
care, nearly doubles the ernor’s lofty promises, we
number of seats available can’t allow that to happen
in government-funded here.”New York’s legisla-
prekindergarten programs, tion also increased state
and provides subsidies for reimbursements to child
child care workers. care providers, which the
All those steps were in- industry said was neces-
tended to address an af- sary to help centers re-
fordability challenge. In main financially viable.
2019, child care centers in Some New York lawmakers
the U.S. charged an aver- say they want to eventu-
age of $406 per week for ally make child care freely
children under 18 months available as early as kin-
old, $315 per week for chil- dergarten. Sen. Jessica Ra-
dren ages 18-35 months mos and Assemblymember
and $289 per week for 3- to Sarah Clark, both Demo-
5-year-olds. crats, said they hope to
Ronora James, a child care get support in the state’s
provider based in Roches- next legislative session for
ter, New York, said she lost more changes, including
staff to fast-food restau- expanding eligibility even
rants that offer competitive more and boosting pay for
wages. Child care workers providers.q