We did it! We passed the first hurdle! Our voices were heard loud and clear! Yesterday, the New Jersey Legislature introduced its version of the state’s proposed FY 2020 budget, which included an additional $9 million for the child care subsidy rate to help pay for the first increase in the minimum wage on July 1st. State leaders have already heard from nearly 1200 New Jerseyans who spoke up about the need for more child care funding. But our advocacy work is not done yet! Now to the next hurdle. Let’s make sure the final budget includes this funding! During the next two weeks, Governor Murphy and the Legislature will be working to develop a final budget that both sides agree on. Even if you have already called or emailed, we need you to take two more advocacy steps NOW:  Call/Write to thank legislative leadership: We need EVERYONE to call or email legislative leadership. Below is the contact information and a sample of what you can say when you call or write: | |
SCRIPT: My name is _________________________ and I live in (Name of Town). I am reaching out to thank Senator Sweeney/Speaker Coughlin for adding $9 million to increase the child care subsidy rate and help child care programs pay for the first increase in the minimum wage. This funding is critical for these programs, so that they may remain open to care for more than 50,000 children whose families are eligible for the child care subsidy. Please make sure that this important funding remains in the final FY 2020 budget. Thank you. | |
 Urge Governor Murphy to support the additional funding for child care. We also need you to reach out to Governor Murphy urging him to support the additional funding. You can click here to send Governor Murphy a message now or call his office at 609-292-6000. Below is a sample of what you can say when you call. | |
SCRIPT: My name is _________________________ and I live in (Name of Town). I am reaching out to urge you to support the additional $9 million that was included in the proposed legislative budget for child care subsidies to help child care programs pay for the increase in the minimum wage set to go into effect on July 1st. This funding is critical for these programs, so that they may remain open to care for more than 50,000 children whose families are eligible for the child care subsidy. Please make sure that this important funding remains in the final FY 2020 budget. Thank you. | |
As we have said before, VOLUME MATTERS and every call/email is important! Please do not wait and do it today! If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Rice at crice@acnj.org or at 973-643-3876. THANK YOU! | |
