Brouk, Clark Criticize Hochul Veto of Childcare Ratio Bill

State Senator Samra G. Brouk (D-55) and Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (D-136) issued a joint statement Thursday criticizing Governor Kathy Hochul’s veto of their bipartisan childcare ratio bill (A.4003/S.4929), calling the decision a setback in the fight to address New York’s ongoing childcare crisis.

State Senator Samra G. Brouk (D-55) and Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (D-136)

The legislation — approved by both legislative chambers earlier this year — would have standardized caregiver-to-child ratios in home-based childcare settings by lowering the regulatory definition of “infant” from two years to 18 months of age for family and group family day care homes. That change, backers said, would have freed up thousands of infant care slots without raising costs to the state, by aligning home-based regulations with those already governing licensed childcare centers.

“We were disappointed to learn of the Governor’s veto,” Brouk and Clark said. “This legislation was a practical and efficient step…supported by families, providers, childcare advocates, and labor unions.” They noted that home-based providers are essential to New York’s childcare ecosystem, yet face operational limitations under the current regulatory structure.

The pair also pointed to data from The Children’s Agenda showing that Monroe County has nearly 40,000 children under age 5, and that 76% of families with children under age 6 have all adults in the workforce, underscoring the urgent demand for accessible care.

While the veto halts this specific reform, Brouk and Clark vowed to continue pushing for childcare improvements when the legislature reconvenes next year, saying “the stakes are simply too high for our families and providers.”

The veto is the latest flashpoint in a broader struggle over childcare policy in New York. Lawmakers and advocates have repeatedly urged the governor to take stronger action to expand access and affordability for working families. In the 2025 budget process, the legislature proposed substantial increases in childcare funding and wage support for providers, but Governor Hochul’s initial budget did not include these boosts, instead prioritizing a task force to study universal childcare.

Last December, Hochul also vetoed other childcare bills designed to modernize assistance eligibility — including measures to eliminate minimum income requirements and decouple childcare subsidies from exact work hours — citing costs outside the budget process. Advocates say these vetoes leave many families struggling amid rising child-care costs and workforce shortages.

Despite the setback, Brouk and Clark expressed optimism about collaborating with the governor on universal childcare goals and other reforms aimed at expanding quality early care across the state. For many families, particularly those in regions outside New York City with limited childcare slots, lawmakers acknowledge that policy change remains essential to support labor force participation and economic stability.

The vetoed bill may resurface during next year’s legislative session or be folded into broader budget negotiations as lawmakers and advocates continue pressing for systemic solutions to New York’s childcare challenges.