The cost of child care is soaring and families can feel it. According to a report by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York has the second-highest child care costs in the country. But state officials are trying to change that and are investing in efforts to bring universal child care to the state. As part of that investment, three upstate counties have been selected for a pilot program to expand options for care in their communities.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average cost of child care for a family in New York state is nearly $15,000. That kind of price nearly cost Broome County Executive and father of three, Jason Garnar, his job.
“There’s nothing more expensive than raising a kid,” Garnar said. “I was looking at the bill and I was like, maybe it would just make more sense for me not to work anymore and just be a stay-at-home dad.”…