Current Events > New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://19thnews.org/2025/09/new-mexico-first-state-free-child-care/

Good news.

Still, response to the initiative so far has been mixed. Republican state Rep. Rebecca Dow told

Fortunately, we here in New Mexico don't particularly give a shit what they think.

So far.

"SOCIALISM!!!!111111"

Not like these pro life "think of the children" types actually care about children.

Blows my mind. But

That's great news.

Great news.

It will boost the economy a fair bit too.

Mixed bag I guess. More good than bad though.

bump

Good

ReturnOfDevsman posted...

Mixed bag I guess. More good than bad though.

what are the significant cons

Wherethisfeom posted...

what are the significant cons

I didn't actually read the article before posting that, so there actually aren't as many as I thought there were. In comparison with the way it was before, this is almost entirely upside. I guess you still have your normal tax stuff like you have to pay for it even if you don't need it.

I wouldve had another kid if free child care was a thing.

without raising taxes? sounds good as heck.

Interesting that a state where abortions are legal also makes child care free.

So every state that outlawed abortion really let a liberal state be the the first to help out mothers who decide to carry their babies to term.

Its almost like Blue States want to help women and families, and Red States want to punish people for having sex. But that cant be it right?

Nice!

That's awesome good for them.

See what happens when you have a good leadership?

Beginning in November, it will be the first state in the nation to provide child care to all residents regardless of income, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this week.

The state has been working to lower child care care costs since 2019, when it created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department and started to expand eligibility for universal child care. This latest change removes income eligibility requirements from the states child care assistance program altogether and waives all family copayments

....

The state also established a fund in 2020 with money earmarked for early childhood education. Thanks to tax collections from the oil and gas industries, the fund has grown from $320 million to $10 billion. Latinas in New Mexico led the charge in 2022 to help pass a constitutional amendment in 2022 that ensured a portion of that fund went specifically to universal child care. Funding for the new initiative will come at least in part from there, and Lujan Grisham will also be requesting an additional $120 million in state funding next year, a spokesperson for the governor said.

The news also comes with improvements for child care facilities and, potentially, raises for their staff. As part of the rollout, the state will establish a $13 million loan fund to construct and expand facilities, launch a recruitment campaign for home-based providers and incentivize programs to pay staff a minimum of $18 an hour.

The state hopes the initiative will lead to the creation of 55 new child care centers and 1,120 home-based child care options.

Nice.
Free for everyone regardless of income
Taxing the oil and gas industries to raise the money
Increasing the pay of the workers
Increasing the number of childcare facilities, which should help with supply issues

All seems good

Time to move to new mexico

More people able to work
More people paying taxes
Fewer people claiming welfare
More skills available to the state economy

Medium term this benefits everyone.

ai123 posted...

Great news.

It will boost the economy a fair bit too.

More people able work, more money to spend. Common sense

Would be interesting to see the hours and conditions.

Since it state run probably like a 8-5 thing and wonder if its available during summer time when schools are out

I again mention people should look at the major difference in how red and blue states run things to see the big differences between parties.

FLAMING_EVIL_HOMER posted...

Would be interesting to see the hours and conditions.

Since it state run probably like a 8-5 thing and wonder if its available during summer time when schools are out

I doubt if this is actually state run facilities. It's probably more that they're subsidizing existing private care facilities

LightSnake posted...

I again mention people should look at the major difference in how red and blue states run things to see the big differences between parties.

DeMS and republICaNs are THE same

Good. Something free for once in this greedy country.

Excellent. Hopefully more states follow New Mexico's example.

Thanks Walter White for your generous donations to the state fund

emblem-man posted...

I doubt if this is actually state run facilities. It's probably more that they're subsidizing existing private care facilities

DeMS and republICaNs are THE same

RiGhT WiNg iN EuROpE!

Long overdue but glad this is finally a thing. Now more states need to follow suit.

Something something social something Democrats communists

ReturnOfDevsman posted...

I didn't actually read the article before posting that, so there actually aren't as many as I thought there were. In comparison with the way it was before, this is almost entirely upside. I guess you still have your normal tax stuff like you have to pay for it even if you don't need it.

lmao