Governor’s Veto of Child Care Bills Leaves Families in the Lurch
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Governor Kathy Hochul shot down two child care bills last week, citing fiscal concerns and the need for more budget planning. Although she did sign a third bill, critics said that the vetoes leave New York’s most vulnerable families without necessary support.
Background
Childcare and childhood hunger advocates who backed the suite of bills said it was inconsistent of Hochul to sign just one of the three. In her veto messages, which can be read at the bottom of this story, Hochul pointed out that $7 billion was already allocated for child care programs. However, she’s also willing to revisit these bills during the budget process, she said.
The Bills in Question
The first bill, S4924A/A1303A, would have removed a state requirement that parents make above a certain amount of money to qualify for financial aid. And the second, S8152A/A8878A, would have decoupled child care assistance from parents’ work schedules. Although both passed with bipartisan support in the legislature, Hochul said they represent unaccounted costs that should be addressed during budget negotiations.
The Third Bill: Automatic Presumption of Eligibility
The third bill, S4667A/A4099A, automatically presumes that kids are eligible to receive state aid whenever the family applies for benefits, cutting out a delay between when they sign up and when they get the money. Still, the law leaves implementation up to individual counties, which creates inconsistent access across the state.
Reactions from Advocates and Lawmakers
Parents shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket or scramble to cover childcare needs while paperwork is processed," said Assemblymember Sarah Clark, who sponsored the bill that passed. "Ensuring all families have access to child care assistance is essential to a thriving economy. Allowing families who have met a presumptive eligibility standard to receive temporary childcare subsidies is essential when starting a new job or higher education opportunity."
Critics said that the vetoes hurt families who already struggle with low wages and unstable hours. The Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) said that vetoing the decoupling and earnings requirement bills keeps reliable child care away from families who work in industries with irregular schedules or limited hours, like gig work and retail. They said that the vetoes mean that the lowest-income families—disproportionately from Black, brown, immigrant, and rural communities—get left behind.
Conclusion
The vetoes have left child care advocates and lawmakers frustrated, with some calling out Hochul’s decision as out of touch with the daily realities of many families across the state. While the governor has expressed willingness to revisit the bills during the budget process, critics argue that this may not be enough to address the pressing needs of New York’s most vulnerable families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Governor Hochul veto the child care bills?
A: The governor cited fiscal concerns and the need for more budget planning.
Q: What are the implications of the vetoes?
A: The vetoes leave New York’s most vulnerable families without necessary support, and critics argue that this will disproportionately affect low-income families, particularly those from Black, brown, immigrant, and rural communities.
Q: What is the next step for child care advocates?
A: The Empire State Campaign for Child Care and EdTrust-NY plan to continue lobbying for these reforms in the next legislative session, which starts January 8.
