For a New York We Can Afford, We Need Investments in the Child Care Workforce & Public Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 14, 2025) - In response to Governor Hochul's State of the State address, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:

"In her State of the State speech Governor Hochul raised affordability as one of her top priorities, but she missed the mark on how to make New York more affordable. If she invested in wages for the child care workforce it would make the program more accessible and affordable for families. Fully funding public schools would mean local taxes would not have to be raised, making the state more affordable," said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.

"With less than a week until Inauguration Day, our state must be ready to lead the way in ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need for success, and that working families, especially those in marginalized communities, are not targeted or left behind.

Education: Addressing Systemic Gaps in Funding

"Providing free meals in school is essential because it ensures every child can learn, and we are happy that the Governor has finally embraced it. But along with meals, children need other supports and resources to be ready and able to learn. When schools are underfunded, educators and families are forced to shoulder the burden, leaving the most disadvantaged students to suffer. The failure to provide equitable resources for students' needs only exacerbates disparities and harms those who are most vulnerable.

"This year, the Governor must fully fund education, and take steps to revise the Foundation Aid formula to address longstanding funding inequities. The current funding formula does not adequately ensure that the most vulnerable students receive the support they need to thrive, particularly in schools serving low-income, immigrant, and marginalized communities. We welcome her indicated support for fully funding schools and eagerly await the details in her forthcoming executive budget.

Child Care: Addressing Workforce Investment Needs

"While Governor Hochul's announcements on child care are important and provide good starting points, it is clear that there remains a gap in her committed investments-specifically for the workforce. The lack of meaningful investment in raising wages for child care educators is a significant barrier to both the affordability of child care for families and the quality of care children receive. Until New York State makes a true, sustained investment in the compensation of child care educators, the crisis in access and affordability will persist."

Revenue: Ensuring Affordability for Working Families

"New York's budget priorities must focus on ensuring that working families, the middle class, and marginalized communities have access to affordable housing, quality education, and child care. It is not the Wall Street millionaires who are at risk-they will always be able to afford to live in New York. The challenge lies in ensuring that New York remains affordable for everyday families who are struggling to make ends meet.

"New York State has the financial resources necessary to support these vital services, but we need the political will to ensure that these services are adequately funded. We cannot continue to jeopardize the health and well-being of our children, families, and educators by underfunding services they rely on. It is time to step up and make the necessary investments to ensure that our state remains a place where all families can thrive."