Hi John,

There are three child care bills awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law. We’ve already written to you about the first two, known as the Decoupling and Presumptive Eligibility bills. Today, we’re focusing on the third one: the Minimum Earnings bill.

The Minimum Earnings bill would eliminate the unfair practice of denying child care assistance to families whose earnings average less than minimum wage. This bill would ensure that families, including those of small business owners and gig economy workers, receive the crucial child care support they need. Governor Hochul must sign this bill promptly to provide much-needed support for New York’s working families.

Here’s why the Minimum Earnings bill (A.1303-A/S.4924-A) matters for New York’s families:

Eliminating Discriminatory Eligibility Rules - Under current state laws, families whose earnings average less than minimum wage are often denied child care assistance. The Minimum Earnings bill would eliminate this obstacle, ensuring all working families have access to essential child care support.
Supporting Workers with Irregular Income - Many small business owners or gig economy workers do not consistently earn minimum wage. This bill acknowledges their efforts to make a living wage by ensuring they receive the child care assistance their families rely on.
Broad Bipartisan Endorsement - The Minimum Earnings bill has received unanimous support from both the New York State Senate and Assembly

Individually, each of these child care bills on Governor Hochul’s desk addresses crucial gaps in our child care landscape. Together, they present a transformative opportunity for our state.

Passing the Minimum Earnings bill along with the Decoupling and Presumptive Eligibility bills would create a comprehensive, equitable, and well-supported child care framework in New York. Join us in advocating for these bills collectively to advance equity and ensure every child has access to the care they need for a brighter future.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment.

Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari
Co-Executive Director
Alliance for Quality Education