New York should be leading the nation in access to child care. Instead, we’re falling embarrassingly behind. Recent reports show that 64% of families in New York live in child care deserts—areas where there are simply not enough licensed child care providers to meet demand. That’s far worse than the national average of 50%, which is already unacceptable. Yet, despite overwhelming need, common-sense legislation to address this crisis was blocked by the Assembly Majority today in Albany.

Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) introduced a proposal that would have been a simple first step: directing the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to study the barriers preventing new child care providers from opening and to present solutions to fix the problem. It wasn’t a partisan bill. It wasn’t controversial. It was about getting real answers so we can help parents find affordable, accessible child care in their communities. Yet, even this modest effort was blocked.

“We know the demand is there. Families across New York are stuck on growing waitlists, struggling to find care for their children as eligibility expands but providers remain scarce. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their careers and securing a safe place for their kids. But that’s exactly what’s happening, and it’s driving more and more families out of New York,

If we’re serious about reversing New York’s outmigration problem, we need to do better. We need to lower costs for families, increase access to child care and create policies that help New Yorkers build a future in their home communities. That starts with understanding why new child care providers aren’t opening and what we can do to change that.

Every lawmaker who claims to care about affordability and working families should have supported this effort. Instead, they chose inaction. But I refuse to give up. I will keep fighting for policies that actually help families stay and thrive in New York. The families of this state deserve nothing less,” stated Maher.

*Click here for Assemblyman Brian Maher speaking on this today in Albany*