Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed two critical child care bills near the end of December 2024, despite bipartisan support in the legislature. The Decoupling Bill and the Minimum Earnings Requirement Bill were both aimed at expanding child care access for working families, especially those with unpredictable work schedules or low wages. AQE and the Empire State Campaign for Child Care strongly criticized the vetoes, arguing that they leave the most vulnerable families – particularly Black, brown, immigrant, and rural communities – without the support they need. Both groups pledged to continue advocating for these reforms, emphasizing that expanding child care access is key to lifting families out of poverty and building a stronger economy.
