#child-care-funding

#child-care-funding

New Mexico has become the first state in the country to guarantee universal child care to families residing in the state. New Mexico families will be eligible for free child care for infants and toddlers starting Nov. 1, no matter their incomes. The groundbreaking initiative will require no co-pays from families. The typical New Mexico family is expected to save over $12,000 per child annually with the initiative.

An industry-sponsored bill moving through the Legislature - and already passed by the Assembly - would eliminate the tax increase and lower the rate back to 15% for the next six years. This would reduce by $180 million annually the tax revenue that the state contributes toward law enforcement, child care, services for at-risk youth and environmental cleanup. The losses include about $81 million annually that would have specifically funded additional subsidized child-care slots for about 8,000 children from low-income families.

In early April, Head Start child-care centers were told they must provide additional information before accessing funding, raising concerns over the future of the program.