December 2, 2021 – Governor Hochul has signed the Child Poverty Reduction Act into law, boldly committing New York leaders to a goal of cutting child poverty in half in the next ten years, and to taking immediate steps toward that goal.
With this law, New York joins a small handful of states leading the way on poverty-fighting legislation. Enactment of the Child Poverty Reduction Act clearly signals that our state will no longer tolerate having two in five children living just above or in poverty.
Passage of this law, championed by Assemblymember Bronson and Senator Ramos, is the result of steadfast work by a broad coalition of child advocacy, child care, health, child welfare, and poverty fighting organizations. This coalition envisions a New York in which every child has the opportunity to thrive. The signing of this law is an important bridge toward that future.
“The Child Poverty Reduction Act is the result of work by a broad coalition of partners who envision a state that works to raise children out of poverty and into opportunity,” said Kate Breslin, President and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. “We commend Assemblymember Bronson, Senator Ramos, and the broad and bi-partisan group of legislators who support this policy, for recognizing the critical importance of this legislation as New York recovers from the impact of the pandemic. By signing this bill into law, Governor Hochul has boldly set the expectation that New York will intentionally, significantly, and consistently cut child poverty, year over year. Beyond that, and just as important, the law holds policymakers publicly accountable for whether and how policy and budget decisions affect children living in poverty. The Child Poverty Reduction Act creates the roadmap to a future in which New York is deliberate about reducing child poverty and addressing equity. ”
New York entered the pandemic with more than 700,000 children living in poverty, representing 18% of all New York children, with that percentage a full 10 points higher for Black children, and 7 for Latino children. New York’s leaders have recognized that this is not the New York we want for our children: the Child Poverty Reduction Act swept through the Legislature with near-unanimous support from upstate and downstate, rural, urban, and suburban legislators and constituents, as well as having bipartisan co-sponsorship.
New York has the means to tackle child poverty and our Governor and legislators have taken the first steps to demonstrate they have the will. By signing the Child Poverty Reduction Act, Governor Hochul has committed to our shared intention to make budget and policy choices that leave no child behind.
Child Poverty Reduction: Goals and Accountability
The signing of this bill into law is the first step toward a new way of legislating – one that takes into account the impact of public policy on those often overlooked. For too long, New York has allowed hundreds of thousands of children to endure the hardships of poverty—in times of recession, and in times of plenty. This law changes that trajectory.
This legislation declares policymakers’ intent to cut child poverty in half in ten years and establishes the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, tasked with developing a plan to do it. Beyond the declaration of intent, the Child Poverty Reduction Act holds lawmakers publicly accountable about whether and how policy and budget decisions affect economic security for children currently living in or near poverty.
Enactment of this law provides New York with the tools needed to reduce child poverty. It requires an annual public report of the effects that the Executive Budget proposals will have on child poverty, establishes the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council to develop a plan to achieve this goal, and directs the Advisory Council to evaluate policies proven to sharply cut child poverty, including:
• Strengthening and expanding New York’s Earned Income Tax Credit;
• Expanding and strengthening New York’s child tax credit especially to include young children;
• Expanding work training and employment programs;
• Increasing access to subsidized housing vouchers; and
• Expanding access to subsidized child care.
As New York mounts its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, this legislation will ensure that our children are centered in that recovery. The Schuyler Center commends Governor Hochul for signing this legislation and signaling to New York and the nation that the Hochul Administration prioritizes well-being of all New York children. We are eager to work with our state leaders to make the goals of the Child Poverty Reduction Act a reality as we build back a stronger New York for all.
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Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy is a statewide, nonprofit, policy analysis and advocacy organization working to shape policies to improve health, welfare and human services for all New Yorkers, especially children and families who are living in poverty. In 2022 SCAA will be commemorating the 150th anniversary of its founding by Louisa Lee Schuyler
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