We applaud Governor Hochul’s State of the State proposals designed to bring meaningful investment to support New York’s children and families, especially those experiencing poverty and poverty-related hardships in communities across the state.
As we face a shifting federal climate, the right investments can ensure New York’s families are supported and that New York State is the best place for a child to learn, play, grow up, find their passion, and participate in a vibrant future for our state. We look forward to working with state leaders to implement the policies and investments that will make the future possible.
[Find Schuyler Center’s 2025 State of New York’s Children Data Book and policy recommendations here.]
On Governor Hochul’s Proposals to Strengthen Child Care:
We were thrilled to hear the Governor restate during yesterday’s State of the State address her ongoing commitment to achieving universal child care in New York. We welcome the governor naming universal child care as a necessity for New Yorkers. We also appreciate the Governor’s recognition that this laudable goal cannot be achieved without investing significant state resources toward its achievement. The Governor’s proposal to create a child care coalition of business and union representatives has the potential to be transformational if empowered to develop bold recommendations for raising public funds to make universal child care a reality in New York State.
Missing from the State of the State address was any mention of the need to invest in the child care workforce. Raising workforce pay to enable child care programs to retain and recruit staff so they can operate at full capacity is widely understood to be the most urgent need of New York child care. In fact, the Governor’s own Child Care Availability Task Force stated in its April 2024 report and its January 2025 Roadmap for Universal Child Care, that securing a permanent state investment in the child care workforce should be the state’s top priority, noting that “workforce concerns are interconnected to cost, access, availability, and quality child care.” Read the full statement from the Empire State Campaign for Child Care.
On Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Improve New York’s Child Tax Credit:
Governor Hochul’s plan to increase the Child Tax Credit is a welcome first step in reaching New York’s child poverty reduction goals and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for families across the state. By providing additional financial support and making sure children in low-income families can qualify for the full credit amount, this increase can help lift children out of poverty and give hundreds of thousands of families the resources they need to succeed.
Tax credits are among the most powerful poverty-fighting tools, and Schuyler Center has long advocated for expanding and strengthening New York State’s tax credits for families with children. A way to transfer cash directly to families, a child tax credit designed with intention can drastically reduce child poverty and provide meaningful assistance.
While not fully in line with the recommendations of the NYS Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, this proposal recognizes the importance of a robust child tax credit. If implemented, Governor Hochul’s proposal to make the Empire State Child Credit more inclusive and meaningful will make a difference for New York’s children. Read Schuyler Center’s full statement.
On Governor Hochul’s proposal to create a baby allowance program:
Governor Hochul’s proposal to create a statewide baby allowance program is an acknowledgement of the economic stress faced by many new families. The BABY (Birth Allowance for Beginning Year) Benefit will provide families who receive public assistance with monthly payments throughout their pregnancy plus a one-time baby allowance of $1,200 at the point of delivery.
Statement from the New York Can End Child Poverty coalition on Governor Hochul’s Proposals to Establish Free Universal School Meals and Improve New York’s Child Tax Credit:
Governor Hochul’s plan to provide free school meals to all children across New York State will help keep money in families’ pockets, while ensuring that all students across the state have access to breakfast and lunch, and can participate in school activities without worrying about their next meal. This proposal is a recognition of the stress faced by families, and a critical step to bolstering support for all New York families.
Governor Hochul’s plan to increase New York’s Child Tax Credit is a welcome first step in reaching the state’s child poverty reduction goals and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for families across the state. By providing additional financial support, this increase can help lift children out of poverty and give hundreds of thousands of families the resources they need to succeed. A robust child tax credit is one of the most direct ways to help families afford to raise children in New York State.
These proposals bring New York closer to implementing the recommendations of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, which include a robust child tax credit alongside housing and nutritional supports. The Coalition continues to call on the Governor and the Legislature to build upon and strengthen the Governor’s child tax credit proposal to match that of the Advisory Council’s recommendations, and implement the Advisory Council’s other recommendations, including increased monthly public assistance grants, expanding housing supports, and strengthening SNAP benefits to ensure all income-eligible families can participate.
The New York Can End Child Poverty coalition, composed of advocates, parents, educators, pediatricians, youth, faith leaders, and others, applauds these policy proposals as critical steps toward a future where all children and families can thrive. These policies promise to transform lives, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen communities across New York State.
Background: CPRAC Recommendations Provide a Roadmap for the Path Forward
On December 18, 2024, the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) voted on and passed its recommendations to help New York State achieve the historic goal of cutting child poverty by 50% by 2031.
CPRAC’s recommendations to Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature are built on proven strategies to combat child poverty, including:
- Expanding refundable child tax credits to provide direct and sustained economic support for families.
- Establishing a statewide rental assistance program to ensure stable and affordable housing.
- Increasing public assistance benefits to meet families’ basic needs and indexing them to inflation.
- Reintroducing state food assistance programs to fill gaps in federal SNAP coverage for children.
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