“Starting today children in New York City are being cut off from the child care vouchers families rely on, all thanks to the political impasse that Governor Kathy Hochul has orchestrated over the late state budget — now the latest budget New York has had in 15 years,” said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.

“Governor Hochul is reviving the same political games that have long failed New Yorkers. Her latest spat with Mayor Eric Adams over who should fund the state’s essential child care voucher program, and the harmful policies she is pushing to further delay the budget, is now endangering the livelihoods of countless families, forcing them to choose between their jobs and caring for their children, and putting even more pressure on already fragile child care workers and infrastructure. Providers are on the brink of closure, children risk losing safe care environments. At a time when families need stability more than ever, Governor Hochul is giving us nothing but more uncertainty.

“Even by the low standards of politics, it is shameful for Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to put families and kids in the middle of their game of chicken. Mayor Adams long ago proved himself to be incompetent, and he’s showing he has no interest in bringing budget negotiations to a close. New Yorkers need a budget that centers children. Every day of delay in the state budget deepens the child care crisis for families and educators alike. We urge Governor Hochul and state lawmakers to stop the political brinkmanship and finalize a budget that protects child care, funds our schools, and meets the urgent needs of our communities.”