Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/all-eyes-on-states-in-2023/5027108/
States play a significant role in shaping the policies that determine child care access, affordability, quality, and sustainability. At the beginning of 2023, many governors called for investments in child care in their State of the State addresses, executive orders, and budget proposals. As many state legislative sessions have adjourned for the year, we can reflect on where these child care policies that were elevated at the beginning of the year ultimately landed.
An Opportunity for States to Make Progress
All state legislatures were in session in 2023, presenting an opportunity for all states to advance and invest in sustainable child care policies. Beyond that, there were a few important factors at play that set states up to make sustainable policy decisions to support child care providers and families this year and next, including:
Government control. At the federal level, Congress is divided and it is unclear if there is a path forward to securing policy change for child care over the next two years. States, on the other hand, are in a stronger position to make long-term decisions, with at least half of state legislatures gaining veto-proof majorities this year because of the 2022 election cycle. That means that in many places ...