Childcare Advocates React To Healey's Funding Promises

Originally Appeared on WBZ Radio
By Mike Macklin

January 20, 2024

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In an announcement on Jan. 16 and in her State of the Commonwealth speech on Jan. 17, Gov. Maura Healey pledged to increase support for childcare programs in her new budget plan that will be unveiled in the coming week. Childcare advocates responded to Healey’s promises and hoped that state lawmakers will also prioritize childcare.

One childcare advocate shared her thoughts on the proposed budget plans. Latoya Gayle is the senior director of advocacy at Neighborhood Villages, a nonprofit organization that advocates for early education and care policy reform.

Gayle reacted to the new childcare plans that Healey announced this past week. “I think it’s great what [Healey] said. We’re really excited to have a governor who understands that this is an important issue.”

Also, Gayle expressed her appreciation for Healey’s proposals. “It’s really nice not to have to fight to get somebody to understand that this is an important issue. And so we’re excited to see her budget, to see where childcare falls.”

Childcare advocates said they will be lobbying state lawmakers to keep childcare a priority as they debate and vote on Healey’s proposed state budget, which she will unveil next week.   

Gayle explained the role Neighborhood Villages can play in the political realm. “Politics and budgets are a process every year. It’s up to us to really just advocate so our legislators understand the importance of our issue.”

WBZ's Mike Macklin reports.