For Immediate Release | January 10, 2025
Media Contact: Nicole Correia, NCorreia@scaany.org (518) 463-1896 x131
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 10, 2025) – Today, Governor Hochul announced the second of two State of the State proposals that will have a significant and meaningful impact on the lives of children and families across the state, particularly those living in or near poverty.
Governor Hochul’s plan to provide free school meals to all children across New York State will help keep money in families’ pockets, while ensuring that all students across the state have access to breakfast and lunch, and can participate in school activities without worrying about their next meal. This proposal is a recognition of the stress faced by families, and a critical step to bolstering support for all New York families.
Governor Hochul’s plan to increase New York’s Child Tax Credit is a welcome first step in reaching the state’s child poverty reduction goals, and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for families across the state. By providing additional financial support, this increase can help lift children out of poverty and give hundreds of thousands of families the resources they need to succeed. A robust child tax credit is one of the most direct ways to help families afford to raise children in New York State.
The New York Can End Child Poverty coalition applauds these policy proposals as critical steps toward a future where all children and families can thrive. These policies promise to transform lives, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen communities across New York State.
These proposals bring New York closer to implementing the recommendations of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, which include a robust child tax credit alongside housing and nutritional supports. The Coalition continues to call on the Governor and the Legislature to address the Advisory Council’s other recommendations, including increased public assistance, expanding housing supports, and strengthening SNAP benefits to ensure all income eligible families can participate.
The New York Can End Child Poverty campaign, composed of advocates, parents, educators, pediatricians, youth, faith leaders, and others, believes that New York can end child poverty and make New York the best place to raise a family.
Background: CPRAC Recommendations Provide a Roadmap for the Path Forward
On December 18, 2024, the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) voted on and passed its recommendations to help New York State achieve the historic goal of cutting child poverty by 50% by 2031.
CPRAC’s recommendations to Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature are built on proven strategies to combat child poverty, including:
- Expanding refundable child tax credits to provide direct and sustained economic support for families.
- Establishing a statewide rental assistance program to ensure stable and affordable housing.
- Increasing public assistance benefits to meet families’ basic needs and indexing them to inflation.
- Reintroducing state food assistance programs to fill gaps in federal SNAP coverage for children.
Background: New York’s Commitment to New York’s Children
In 2021/2022, the New York State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the Child Poverty Reduction Act, committing the State to reduce child poverty by 50% over 10 years, with attention to racial equity. This bipartisan, nation-leading law created the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, composed of state leaders, advocates, and community members, to develop evidence based recommendations and set yearly benchmarks.
The Council also addresses the unequal impact of poverty on racial and ethnic communities, ensuring that solutions promote equity while advancing New York’s historic commitment to reducing child poverty.
Statements from Coalition Members:
- Statement from Kate Breslin, President and CEO of Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, on Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Improve New York’s Child Tax Credit
- Statement from Westchester Children’s Association
- Joint statement from Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, and the LaborReligion Coalition at the Kairos Center
About New York Can End Child Poverty
The New York Can End Child Poverty campaign is composed of individuals and organizations from across New York State who are working to improve long-term outcomes for children and families from households experiencing economic hardship. We are dedicated to advancing public policies that support children and families while reducing child poverty and inequity. Learn more at www.newyorkcan.org.