Suffolk Reporter

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference in Albany today, joining Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Assembly Minority colleagues, parents, and child care experts to address concerns regarding child care access and affordability challenges in New York.

DeStefano expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "New York families need our help. I stand with my colleagues today to answer that call—the solutions proposed today will pave the way for a better future for our kids and grandkids." He highlighted the impact of pandemic-era measures on child poverty, emphasizing the need for support for families and children: "Educational success starts here. Emotional success starts here. Behavioral success starts here. How we provide and care for our children means a world of difference for how they grow up."

In response to the crisis, DeStefano affirmed his commitment to finding solutions, stating, "I remain committed, alongside my colleagues, to shaping a brighter and more secure future for our children and families by addressing the child care shortage and affordability crisis because every family in New York deserves that chance."

The Assembly Minority Conference has proposed legislation aimed at enhancing child care access through tax incentives for families, expanding early childhood education, and increasing provider options. The comprehensive proposal seeks to make significant improvements to child care access in the state, acknowledging the critical role child care plays in the development and well-being of children.

The initiative underscores the Assembly Minority's dedication to supporting New York families and ensuring that every child has access to quality and affordable child care services.