Posted on May 30, 2019
With the first increase in the minimum wage set to rise to $10 an hour on July 1, ACNJ delivered a petition with more than 1,100 signatures, urging Governor Murphy and legislative leadership to take immediate action to increase the state child care subsidy investments, or risk centers serving fewer families, reducing staff hours or even closing their doors entirely.
“Child care workers have an enormous responsibility, nurturing and educating the children of New Jersey families. The additional compensation due to the minimum wage increase will be a tremendous lift for child care workers, but the reality is that providers will be unable to pay them without more state support. Higher wages for child care workers must come with higher state investment,” said Cecilia Zalkind, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) president and CEO.
At the news conference, ACNJ called for $19 million in additional child care subsidy funding to be included in the FY2020 state budget before the June 30 deadline.
News CoverageThe Star-Ledger | Workers deserved a raise. But Murphy’s not doing the full job, endangering the most vulnerable | Editorial
The Bergen Record | Child care centers warn of risks from higher minimum wage
FIOS 1 News | Calls to fund affordable child care
News 12 NJ | ‘Strolling Thunder’ rally held to draw attention to affordable child care
NJ.com/ The Star-Ledger | ‘Baby protest’ pushes Trenton to fix big day care problem caused by minimum wage hike
NJTV | Child care workers fear effects of increase in minimum wage
