Friend,
International Women’s Day began as a day to celebrate the achievements of garment workers who organized for better pay and conditions. We honor that legacy on this International Women’s Day, by recognizing that every issue is a woman’s issue, and every piece of legislation passed in Albany needs to consider how it serves those most impacted by inequality.
As a working mother of two boys, I understand the importance of affordable and consistent child care. We are facing a child care crisis in this state, with many daycare providers having shut down due to the pandemic, rising prices, and a lack of staff. The current wage for daycare workers, many of whom are women of color themselves, sits right at the minimum wage, making it difficult for daycare providers to retain staff or grow and invest in this critical workforce. Many children now live in “child care deserts,” increasing the difficulty of finding affordable child care in their neighborhoods.
That is why I introduced the Early Learning Child Care Act - a piece of child care legislation that:
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Eliminates the work requirement (because how are you supposed to go to an interview if you can’t get child care?)
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Expands eligibility for subsidized care to undocumented New Yorkers
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Sets a wage floor for child care workers to ensure the people caring for our children are making at least a living wage
A new poll by Robin Hood showed 62% of New Yorkers support the subsidies included in the bill and found that many New Yorkers find it difficult to access affordable child care. These child care subsidies will help many working families get back to work and child care providers to offer affordable and quality child care across the state.
We need to empower and uplift the mothers and women in our community that often do double-duty, working full-time jobs and then going home to take care of their children. Affordable child care will lift many burdens.
If you think this work needs a champion in Albany, please consider supporting my reelection campaign by chipping in $10 today.
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