SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An ambitious universal child care program aimed at fully footing the bill for working families across New Mexico is being enshrined into law, with state legislators making good on promises by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to make the state the first in the nation to offer such a program to families of all income levels.
California has opted to eliminate copayments for some families, while Washington and Oregon cap what families pay.
In Vermont, a payroll tax on employers funds child care subsidies.
As much as $700 million more will be funneled over the next five years to New Mexico’s child care assistance program, state officials said.
New Mexico gradually raised income limits on assistance for child care — until stepping into universal care on Nov. 1, making 25,000 more children eligible.
It’s also a response to concerns that the rapid expansion of child care subsidies to all income brackets may squeeze out slots for low-income families.
Legislators have sent a separate bill to the governor to scale up more home-based daycare and child care centers in residential areas by overriding some local zoning and permitting requirements, including homeowner association restrictions on child care. »
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