Thank you to the chairs and members of the respective committees for the opportunity to submit testimony on the 2022-23 New York State Budget.

My name is Pete Nabozny, and I am the Director of Policy for The Children’s Agenda in Rochester, NY. We are a children’s policy and advocacy organization focused on improving the well-being of children prenatally through young adulthood. Through analysis, advocacy, and collaboration with partners locally and statewide, we support the implementation of programs and policies that address the serious challenges facing children and families.

The Children’s Agenda is also an active member of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, a statewide effort to ensure that all families through New York State have access to high quality care. I serve on the steering and executive committees of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care. I am testifying today in support of that campaign’s budget recommendations.

There are many challenges plaguing the child care sector in New York State. I will summarize a few in this testimony, and share why my organization and the Empire State Campaign for Child Care believes a $5 billion investment is needed in the 2022-23 state budget.