Common Start Legislation - Letter - Bourne Enterprise
By Janice Marks and Sandra Faiman-Silva
Since the Common Start legislation (H.605/S.362) was filed less than two months ago, nearly half of Massachusetts legislators have signed on as co-sponsors. This bill establishes a universal system of affordable, high-quality early education and child care for all Massachusetts families. A lead co-sponsor is Plymouth & Barnstable State Senator Susan L. Moran.
This legislation aims to solve a crisis so many working families face trying to pay $25,000 or more for child care. The bill will ensure that all families can afford high-quality early education and care for children from birth through age 5, as well as after- and out-of-school care for children ages 5 to 12, and for children with special needs through age 15. The Common Start legislation uses a combination of direct-to-provider funding and ongoing family financial assistance to reduce costs to families while compensating providers for the true cost of providing quality care.
We thank Senator Moran, along with Representatives Kip Diggs, Dylan Fernandes and Sarah Peake for their support of this legislation, and we ask other members of the Cape and Islands delegation who have not yet signed on to do so. This legislation is important for Cape Cod families and will really make a difference in their lives.