BOSTON — In a unanimous decision, the Massachusetts Senate has passed a bill aimed at broadening access to subsidized child care and sustaining critical grants for early education, a move intended to bolster the state’s families amid ongoing challenges from the pandemic.
This marks the second attempt by the Senate in three years to push through such legislation. Senate President Karen Spilka highlighted the significance of bringing the latest bill (S 2697) to a vote earlier in the session, emphasizing the importance of securing Governor Maura Healey’s approval before the legislative session concludes in July.
Despite Democrats holding firm control over both legislative branches, achieving consensus on crucial issues has been a persistent challenge. When questioned about coordination with House Speaker Ron Mariano regarding the bill’s prospects in the House, Spilka expressed hope for its consideration, emphasizing its vital importance for the Commonwealth’s children and families.
While the House has yet to take decisive action on early education reform, Mariano previously outlined intentions to prioritize support for the struggling sector during this legislative session, underscoring the significance of affordable, quality child care for Massachusetts families.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The legislation seeks to cement high-cost state grants for early education providers, broaden eligibility for child care subsidies by raising the income threshold, and establish salary and benefit guidelines for early childhood educators comparable to K-12 public school teachers.
Minority Leader Bruce Tarr voiced concerns during the Senate session about the substantial financial implications of the bill, urging caution to ensure sustainability and affordability. Senator Jason Lewis, co-chair of the Joint Education Committee, acknowledged the necessity of substantial investments for implementation, citing a Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation report that highlighted the considerable economic toll of the current fragmented early education system.
Financial Considerations and Eligibility Changes
Currently, subsidies are limited to households earning up to 50% of the state median income. The proposed legislation would raise this threshold to 85%, expanding access to families earning up to $124,000 annually for a family of four. Furthermore, the bill aims to raise the threshold to 125% of the state median income, or $182,000 for a household of four, contingent upon available funding.
The bill also seeks to make permanent Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants, a pivotal component of recent spending growth in early childhood education, with the aim of sustaining financial support for the sector.
Additionally, the legislation calls for the development of a career ladder for early educators to establish recommended salary and benefit standards, along with a competitive grant program to incentivize employers to establish new early education centers, prioritizing underserved areas and lower-income families.
Efforts to Enhance Support
Efforts to enhance support for early education and care include establishing a tax credit for companies offering employer-supported child care benefits, although a proposed amendment for this measure was rejected.
Senate President Spilka emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stressing the broad implications for children, families, gender equity, racial justice, and the economy, underlining the bill’s significance for Massachusetts.
