Syracuse Sun

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) and his Assembly Minority colleagues have unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the lack of high-quality and affordable child care in New York. The "A Blueprint for Childcare (ABC) Plan" includes proposals to provide tax incentives for families and day cares, expand access to early childhood education, and increase provider options.

Barclay emphasized the importance of affordable child care, stating, “Every family should have the option to choose a safe, affordable, care-centered program that will provide the best environment for their little one.” He highlighted that the plan could save the average family over $2,300, helping to alleviate the financial burden on families.

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) stressed the urgency of addressing child poverty through targeted investments in child care, stating, “The rising child poverty rate reflects a failure to provide adequate support and opportunities for our most vulnerable population.” Ra emphasized the need to invest in solutions that support educational success and provide opportunities for children to thrive.

Assemblyman Josh Jensen (R,C-Greece) called for creative solutions to address the systemic issues faced by families in accessing child care, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the education and safety of the younger generation.

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) highlighted the financial strain that high child care costs place on families, calling for property tax exemptions for child care facilities to make child care more accessible and affordable in New York.

Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville) advocated for the development of more child care facilities and region-based child care subsidies to better support families across the state.

Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) spoke from his experience as a father of three, emphasizing the need to address the child care shortage in New York and provide relief to families and child care providers.

The Minority's ABC proposal aims to reduce the child poverty rate and provide savings of approximately $1 billion for families struggling with child care costs. The proposal includes increased tax incentives for providers and families, expansion of early childhood education access, and measures to improve affordability and accessibility of child care programs.