On December 3rd, 350 people packed the Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford to advocate for reforms that would enhance the state's fiscal policies, enabling increased investment in public services. The event, titled "Paving the Roadblocks," focused on revisiting the fiscal constraints established in 2017, which include spending limits and caps on bonding. These measures, while initially aimed at promoting financial stability, are an obstacles to adequately funding essential community services.

Despite a significant budget surplus of $3.3 billion—the second largest in state history—many communities continue to experience unmet needs due to budget cuts and understaffing.  Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) and Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden), participated in the discussion, expressing openness to reassessing Connecticut's fiscal policies. They outlined potential priorities for the 2025 legislative session, indicating a collaborative effort to ensure that the state's financial strategies align with the pressing needs of its communities.

Iris Velazquez, a member of the Child Care Council, delivered powerful remarks to Speaker Ritter and Representative Elliot about the need to invest in our child care ecosystem. Read her full remarks:
I’m here today because the challenges we face in our childcare system don’t just affect providers like me—they impact families, children, and the future of our entire state.

Even before the pandemic, we were struggling with a child care crisis—an unaffordable and inaccessible care system that was failing to recruit and keep the dedicated staff we needed due, in part, to low pay and a lack of benefits. Childcare providers are some of the most underpaid and undervalued workers in our economy despite the enormous importance of our work. We allow parents to work, businesses to function, and our economy to grow. Yet we don’t have healthcare and many of us barely earn enough to provide for our own families. 

Fiscal roadblocks have drastically reduced investments across the board. Personally, I have seen this impact up close—both in my own life and in the lives of the parents I serve, who are barely getting by while being told that our state economy is “doing great.” 

As a provider, one of the main challenges is the limited access to professional development trainings in the Spanish language, creating a barrier for us to secure advanced certifications.  This situation excludes us from opportunities and generates insecurity in our performance, when our language and culture should be seen as strengths and inclusion.

If we don’t change course, this lack of investment will create a ripple effect. Childcare providers will face greater challenges in meeting the needs of the families we serve. Parents, in turn, will have an even more difficult time finding affordable, high-quality care. And let’s not forget who suffers the most—our children, who lose out on opportunities to thrive in quality learning spaces. 

We must prioritize investment in childcare and education—at every level—so that childcare providers like me can do the work we love while ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive.