NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Promises Free Childcare, Inspired by New Mexico

URGENT UPDATE: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has just announced a groundbreaking plan to implement free childcare for all children under the age of 6, drawing inspiration from New Mexico’s recent universal childcare policy.

This ambitious initiative is set to tackle the soaring costs of childcare in the most expensive city in the U.S. Mamdani aims to fund this program by imposing higher taxes on wealthier residents and large corporations, presenting a potential game-changer for working families in NYC.

New Mexico’s universal childcare policy, which took effect on November 1, eliminated income limits and copays, making childcare accessible to all parents across the state. The initiative also includes a significant pay raise for childcare workers, who will now earn a minimum of $18 per hour, a move that could serve as a model for Mamdani’s plans.

According to Mamdani, expanding childcare availability is critical, as families have struggled with childcare costs that have consistently outpaced inflation. Many parents in New Mexico previously paid an average of $12,000 a year per child for care. Experts believe that this initiative can significantly improve family budgets, allowing parents to allocate resources to savings and debt repayment.

“Childcare is the backbone of our economy,” stated Julie Kashen, senior fellow at The Century Foundation. “Reliable childcare enables parents to work without the stress of finding care when their children are sick or out of school.”

Mamdani’s proposal includes creating additional slots for children aged six weeks to five years, a move that has garnered support from some business leaders, despite their opposition to other affordability measures. The estimated cost for implementing a similar program in NYC is around $6 billion, aimed at expanding the city’s existing free preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.

New Mexico’s successful model is largely funded by substantial tax revenues from its oil and gas industry, generating over $11 billion last year alone. This funding has enabled the state to invest in a permanent childcare fund valued at approximately $10 billion, projected to grow to $12.6 billion in the coming years.

With childcare workers’ wages historically low, New Mexico’s increase aims to attract and retain talent in an industry that has faced significant staffing challenges. In NYC, median wages for daycare workers stand at $18.09 per hour, which is starkly below the metro area’s median wage of $28.55.

“Current compensation is not sufficient to keep workers in the field,” emphasized Hailey Gibbs, associate director for early childhood policy at the Center for American Progress. “These workers are dedicated but need better economic security to remain in the profession.”

Mamdani has also proposed aligning childcare worker salaries with those of NYC public school teachers, which would rise to around $70,000 for new hires, highlighting the importance of this workforce.

As Mamdani prepares to take office, parents and advocates are watching closely to see how his ambitious plans will unfold and whether they will address the pressing issues surrounding childcare accessibility and affordability in New York City. The success of New Mexico’s model could provide crucial insights for implementing such a transformative policy.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and the implications of Mamdani’s proposals become clearer for families across New York City.