Hochul, Mamdani Announce Ambitious Universal Child-Care Plan

"The governor announced the state will commit to funding the first two years of 2-Care, a Mamdani-administration proposal that would ensure universal child care for 2-year-olds as part of the 2027 and 2028 budgets. The program is expected to begin with 2,000 children this year with a price tag of $75 million. Under the proposal, 2-Care will focus on \"high-need areas\" in the first year with the goal of expanding citywide by the fourth year."

"Hochul said the state government would also invest $470 million to expand access to universal pre-K beyond the city with the goal of making it available for every 4-year-old in the state by 2028. The governor also promised an additional $1.2 billion toward the State Child Care Assistance Program, which provides vouchers for low-income families. In total, Hochul said her administration will invest $4.5 billion in child care."

Kathy Hochul endorsed Zohran Mamdani and committed state support to expand universal child care statewide. The state will fund the first two years of 2-Care, a proposal to provide universal child care for 2-year-olds in the 2027 and 2028 budgets, starting with 2,000 children and a $75 million price tag focused on high-need areas and expanding citywide by year four. The state will invest $470 million to expand universal pre-K to every 4-year-old by 2028 and $1.2 billion for child-care vouchers, bringing total child-care investments to $4.5 billion. Officials and advocates presented a multiyear road map and pledged partnership on implementation.

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