Dear Partner,

In his second state budget address today, Governor Murphy expanded on his vision for a "stronger and fairer" New Jersey by increasing supports to both children and families and the growing middle class, including a big expansion in preschool funding. This is money well spent -- increasing young children's readiness skills for kindergarten and beyond!

Highlights of some of the proposed investments outlined in the Governor's speech:

• A $68 million increase to maintain and expand access to preschool. These additional dollars will allow more 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families to benefit from our state's nationally recognized model of high quality preschool. 
   
• A $206 million increase in K-12 school funding to put New Jersey on a path to full school funding;
   
• A $15 million increase in child care funding that will improve the child care subsidy system program payment rates, create new incentives to expand infant care and prioritize quality care and services;
   
• $2 million toward the State's outreach strategy for the 2020 Census;
   
• $30 million to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as well as the continuation of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help low-income working families.

The budget process is just beginning and details regarding the proposed budget increases are still unknown. ACNJ will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available. These proposals represent a big step forward for New Jersey's children and families.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Zalkind
ACNJ president/CEO