What to Look for in the Governor's Budget Address
- Child Care for CT
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 5th, at noon), Governor Lamont will present his Connecticut State Budget Address, and there’s a lot of anticipation about how child care will fit into his plan. Child care advocates across the state—and indeed, the legislature itself—have made it clear that early care and education is a top priority for 2025. As headlines have highlighted, accessible and affordable child care not only benefits young children and families directly, but also bolsters our economy by helping parents stay in the workforce and supporting children’s long-term development. For more on how child care is front and center in Connecticut’s agenda, check out this recent post from Child Care for Connecticut at Child Care in the Spotlight.
Child care advocates are looking for Governor Lamont to stay focused on building a robust early care system, one that starts at birth and extends through the school years. The Governor has promised a “big plan” for early care in this budget address, which is an encouraging sign that he’s listening to the voices who have been calling for a comprehensive strategy. With child care costing many families more than college tuition and leading to caregiver shortages across the state, tomorrow’s address could be a pivotal moment for setting the right priorities and investing in the programs that will keep Connecticut’s families and economy strong.
If you’d like to watch the Budget Address live and stay informed in real-time, tune in at noon on CT-N by following this link. You’ll be able to hear firsthand how Governor Lamont plans to prioritize child care—if he details a fully funded system for children ages 0-5, that will be a strong signal of his commitment to families. We’re excited to see whether these plans align with advocates’ goals for a continuum of care, and we’ll share our reactions and next steps afterward. Stay tuned for more analysis once the budget details are unveiled, and let’s hope 2025 is the year Connecticut takes a bold step forward for children, families, and the state’s economic future.
