Legislators, DCF officials discuss $13.2 million payroll-tax swap and reserve for child-care fund

Representative Kornheiser convened the Ways & Means discussion on the governor's budget adjustment on Friday, Jan. 17, focusing the committee’s attention on the Child Care Payroll Tax Special Fund and spending for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program.

The nut graf: Department for Children and Families officials told the committee they see two separate, related budget developments this year: an underspend in child-care caseloads that they estimate at about $13 million, and a revenue realignment that would shift $13.2 million of costs from the general fund onto the Child Care Payroll Tax Special Fund. Department officials also said an $8 million balance added to the special fund last year remains available as a contingency.

Janet McLaughlin, deputy commissioner at the Department for Children and Families overseeing the Child Development Division, opened with a short description of the division’s work: licensing and compliance for center-based and family child-care programs, referral and family connection services, the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, and supports for early childhood workforce and quality improvement. “I’m Janet McLaughlin. I’m the deputy commissioner in the Department For Children and Families overseeing the Child Development Division,” she said.

Megan Smeaton…