A major element in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State is a commitment to make investments and move the state toward more affordable child care.

These investments could save New York families billions of dollars each year.

“Cost-wise, for one kid, it’s about $20,000 a year for day care,” said Kirpaul Babar. “We spend $1,600 a month; $1,600 a month for a kid.”

“For us, that’s more than our monthly mortgage payment,” said Jeanne Babar.

The Babars say the cost of child care is a burden that’s become heavy to carry.

As parents to a 6 and a 2-year-old, they support universal child care in the state of New York.

“I think if we didn’t have to pay for day care, we would have had more kids,” said Kirpaul Babar.

Hochul is committing to investments that are anticipated to deliver affordable child care for nearly 100,000 more New York children.

Here’s what those investments look like: Making pre-K universal statewide; supporting counties with building models for affordable child care; and expanding child care subsidies to tens of thousands of additional families.

Republicans say child care is an important issue, but believe this plan’s proposal for an increase of a $1.7 billion investment, with a total investment of $4.5 billion for fiscal year 2027, may be a price tag that’s too high for taxpayers.

“The question comes down to the dollars,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R–Franklin Square). “It’s whether it’s realistic to think this plan can be done within our existing revenue streams. I’m looking forward to getting more details on how this fits into the state’s financial plan.”

Advocates, including New Yorkers United for Child Care and The Schuyler for Analysis and Advocacy, say these investments can help close the wealth gap for New York families. But they say it doesn’t work if increasing the pay for child care providers isn’t a part of the equation.

“We have a real workforce shortage and so if they’re not being paid well, they’re not going to want to do the work,” said Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care.

“They make, on average, $37,000 a year, which is really near poverty wages,” said Dede Hill, vice president of policy at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. “We know we cannot achieve statewide universal child care without investing in this workforce.”

For New York City specifically, Hochul is partnering with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to launch a 2-Care program, while also realizing universal 3K access in the city.