Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate proclaims Child Care Awareness Month, cites high costs and workforce losses
Summary
SCR 72 recognizing Child Care Awareness Month passed the Senate; lawmakers cited high costs for center‑based care in California and urged investment in universal childcare and workforce retention.
The California State Senate on the floor adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 72 (SCR 72), recognizing Child Care Awareness Month and calling attention to the high costs and workforce challenges facing the early childhood care sector in California.
Senator Wahab presented SCR 72 and cited national and state figures on childcare costs. She told the chamber that Childcare Aware of America found the average cost of center‑based childcare in California can be as high as $19,547 annually and said a married couple in California would spend roughly 15 percent of median income for such care while a single parent would pay a larger share.
Wahab and other sponsors said inadequate wages for early‑childhood educators are a leading cause of workforce attrition and argued that continued investment in universal, full‑day childcare would improve retention, family stability and broader economic outcomes.
The resolution was adopted by roll call as Ayes 34, Noes 0.
SCR 72 is an awareness resolution; it expresses the Legislature's support for greater investment and attention to childcare but does not itself appropriate funds.
