Affordability is the buzzword of the moment, and Governor Hochul rightly is zeroing in on the affordability crisis facing New York’s families. But naming the problem is not enough: New Yorkers need the Governor and State Legislature to meet this moment with the urgency and investment that it requires in the state budget. And public … Continue reading Fully Fund and Update the NYS Education Funding Formula in this Year’s Budget
Universal Child Care Must Include Investing in the Workforce
This year’s state budget is off to a promising start. Governor Hochul says she wants to bring universal child care to all New Yorkers, and she has proposed a major increase in funding for child care vouchers and subsidies, plus two pilot programs focused on low-income families — a direct result of the tireless advocacy … Continue reading Universal Child Care Must Include Investing in the Workforce
2026-27 Executive budget side by side analysis
Empire State Campaign for Child Care priorities 2026-27
Gov. Hochul is Standing in Her Own Way of Making New York a Place for Families to Thrive
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 20, 2026) — In response to Governor Hochul’s executive budget address, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement: “New York needs to be a state where families thrive. Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposes some steps in the right direction, but doesn’t go far enough. “Governor Hochul … Continue reading Gov. Hochul is Standing in Her Own Way of Making New York a Place for Families to Thrive
2026 Priorities
Universal Child Care Won’t Work Without the Workforce
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 13, 2026) — In response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address on Tuesday, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “The investments that Governor Hochul has proposed for child care and pre-K are welcome and meaningful, but without investment to raise wages for the child … Continue reading Universal Child Care Won’t Work Without the Workforce
AQE and the Fight for Pre-K
Statement on Governor Hochul’s Historic Universal Child Care Announcement
New York, NY (January 8, 2026) – Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, co-executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani’s announcement of a plan to implement universal child care in New York. “This proposal is an enormous and welcome first step toward building a truly universal, … Continue reading Statement on Governor Hochul’s Historic Universal Child Care Announcement
Six Things Child Care Organizers Want You to Know
After a turbulent year of funding gaps and policy fights, child care organizers nationwide share what’s at stake heading into 2026. Read the article.