"Legislation in 2007 Will Impact your Programs - Will you have a Say?"

The New Mexico Legislature convenes for a 60-day session on Tuesday January 16th at noon. Many issues affecting child care will be on the Agenda.

From the proactive perspective, your association will be working to increase the families eligible for CYFD child care to 200% of poverty and work to insure rate increase will cover minimum wage increases. Last session we got $1,383 million which increased it to 155%. In addition, we will be looking for an increase in child care reimbursement rates. As you

probably know the minimum wage WILL be going up in New Mexico to an anticipated $7.50 over a couple of years. The Congress will also take up a minimum wage bill in January. You may have noticed the $1.3 million rate increase beginning in July which gave licensed programs an additional $25 per child per month. We will be seeking a larger rate increase to assist you with higher wages, increased gas and utility rates as well as general inflation.

Pre K continues to loom large on the governor’s agenda. Expect at least a $4 million increase to CYFD child care programs.

The governor is requesting $9 million for CYFD and $9 million to Public Education Division. Child care programs have got to step up to access more of this money or at some point the shift will be to place it all in PED.

You can get involved by giving us your email and responding to our requests for calls or emails to targeted legislators. We always need your presence at hearings and in testimony.