Rally with elected officials will push for Universal Child Care

STATEWIDE — THE MOMENTUM FOR UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE will bring together labor unions, parents and advocates for a rally that Brooklyn State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-26, is organizing in Albany on Wednesday, Jan. 7, the first day of the state legislative session.

Co-hosting the rally are New Yorkers United for Child Care, UAW Local 9A and the United Federation of Teachers. Gounardes and the group will push for a statewide guarantee for Pre-K for every child in New York, funding for 2-Care to expand universal child care to 2-year-olds in NYC, and dedicated, sustainable, progressive revenue to fund these investments.

Gounardes pointed out in his announcement that New Yorkers collectively pay $14 billion out of pocket for child care each year. Families within New York City pay more than $20,000 annually — more than rent in most boroughs.

Among the expected participants are Assemblymembers Brian Cunningham, D-43; Robert Carroll, D-44; Emily Gallagher, D-50; Monique Chandler-Waterman, D-58; and representatives from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, National Council of Jewish Women-New York and United Neighborhood Houses.

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