Governor Leary 2026
A Safer, Smarter Child-Care Plan for New York Families
Affordable. Accountable. Focused on Kids — Not Politics.
New York families deserve child care that is safe, reliable, and affordable. But rushing into massive government programs without the right protections in place puts both children and taxpayers at risk.
While current leaders are pushing for rapid “universal” child-care expansion, their plan overlooks serious concerns about safety, oversight, long-term costs, and fraud prevention.
As a career accountant, I believe New York can do better — with a plan that puts children first, protects families, and respects taxpayer dollars.
The Problem with Albany’s Approach
Expanding child care to very young children — especially 2-year-olds — is not simple.
Toddlers require:
- Higher staff-to-child ratios
- Specialized training
- Secure sleep and eating areas
- Constant supervision
Yet the current proposal relies heavily on home-based care and rapid expansion, without first ensuring that facilities, staffing, and inspections are strong enough to protect children.
New York has already seen tragic failures in child-care safety. These incidents remind us that oversight matters — and rushing expansion without proper safeguards puts lives at risk.
On top of that, universal programs often grow far more expensive than originally promised, creating long-term pressure on taxpayers and future budgets.
My Plan: Affordable Child Care Without Compromising Safety
Instead of rushing into a one-size-fits-all system, my plan focuses on smart growth, strong oversight, and real accountability.
1. Cap Family Costs — Not Government Spending
Families will receive income-based child-care assistance so no one is priced out of work.
But we will avoid open-ended “free for all” promises that lead to runaway spending.Affordable for families. Responsible for taxpayers.
2. Build Safe Facilities First
Before expanding enrollment, we will invest in:
- Safer classrooms for toddlers
- Proper sleep and play areas
- Facility upgrades
- Stronger safety inspections
- Staff training and certification
Children deserve protection before politics.
3. Pay for Quality, Not Just Enrollment
Providers will receive higher reimbursements only when they meet:
- Proper staffing ratios
- Safety standards
- Training requirements
- Verified attendance
Public dollars should reward safe, high-quality care — not just seat counts.
4. Strong Fraud Prevention from Day One
As an accountant, I know that large programs without controls invite abuse.
My plan includes:
- Digital attendance verification
- Random inspections
- Financial audits
- Public transparency
- A dedicated Child Care Integrity Office
Every dollar must be accounted for.
5. Pilot, Measure, Then Expand
We will start with targeted pilot programs in high-need areas and publish regular performance reports tracking:
- Safety compliance
- Cost per child
- Waitlist reduction
- Parent satisfaction
- Workforce stability
Programs that work will grow.
Programs that don’t will be fixed.Why This Plan Works
What Families Need My Plan Delivers
Safe care Infrastructure first
Affordable costs Income-based help
Reliable providers Quality-based funding
Accountability Real oversight
Long-term stability Responsible budgeting
Leadership Means Protecting What Matters Most
Child care is not just about convenience.
It is about safety, trust, and responsibility.New York needs leadership grounded in:
- Common sense
- Financial discipline
- Transparency
- And respect for families
We can help parents succeed without gambling with our children’s safety or our state’s future.
Support a Safer, Smarter Future for New York Families
Join our campaign to build a child-care system that works — for parents, for children, and for taxpayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you against universal child care?
No. I am against reckless child care.
Families deserve affordable, reliable child care. But rushing a massive expansion without proper safety standards, fraud controls, and long-term funding puts children and taxpayers at risk.
My plan delivers affordability without sacrificing safety, accountability, or fiscal responsibility.
Isn’t free child care better for working families?
“Free” is not free — taxpayers still pay the bill.
And when costs spiral, services get cut, quality drops, or taxes rise. My plan ensures families pay no more than they can afford through income-based assistance, while keeping the system financially sustainable.
Affordable and responsible beats flashy promises that don’t last.
Aren’t you just slowing things down while families struggle now?
No — I am making sure help actually works.
Rushing expansion without:
- Safe facilities
- Trained staff
- Strong inspections
- Fraud controls
Creates dangerous conditions for toddlers and instability for providers. My plan delivers real, reliable help — not chaotic rollout.
Why are you so focused on safety?
Because children’s lives depend on it.
New York has already seen tragedies at child-care facilities involving drug exposure and drowning. Expanding care to toddlers — especially in home-based settings — requires stronger safeguards, not weaker ones.
Safety is not a talking point. It is a responsibility.
Are home-based providers unsafe?
Many are excellent. But not all operate in facilities designed for toddlers.
My plan does not eliminate home-based care — it strengthens it through:
- Better training
- Regular inspections
- Clear safety standards
- Verified compliance
Good providers deserve support.
Bad conditions should never be tolerated.Won’t stricter oversight drive providers out of business?
No. It will raise standards and protect the good ones.
Providers who meet safety and quality benchmarks will receive higher, more reliable funding. That is how you strengthen the workforce — not by cutting corners.
Why not just trust providers?
Trust is important.
Verification is essential.As an accountant, I have seen what happens when large programs rely on trust alone: waste, abuse, and breakdowns in accountability.
Strong oversight protects:
- Children
- Families
- Honest providers
- Taxpayers
Are you exaggerating the risk of fraud?
No. History shows large, decentralized programs without real-time monitoring are vulnerable to:
- Ghost enrollments
- Inflated attendance
- Shell providers
- Improper billing
My plan installs modern controls before expansion — not after money is already gone.
Doesn’t universal child care help the economy?
Yes — when done right.
Affordable child care supports working parents and strengthens the workforce. But unsustainable programs lead to budget crises that hurt everyone.
My plan supports families without creating future financial disasters.
Are you just opposing Hochul and Mamdani for political reasons?
No. This is about results, not personalities.
Any plan — from any party — must meet three tests:
- Is it safe for children?
- Is it financially sustainable?
- Is it accountable to taxpayers?
If a proposal fails those tests, it needs fixing.
Why does your accounting background matter?
Because this is a financial system, not just a social program.
Child care funding involves:
- Billions in public dollars
- Thousands of providers
- Complex reimbursement systems
My career has been about:
- Preventing waste
- Managing risk
- Ensuring compliance
- Protecting taxpayers
That experience matters when public money and child safety are on the line.
Will your plan still help middle-class families?
Yes.
Middle-class families often earn too much to qualify for help — but still struggle with child-care costs. My plan expands income-based assistance so working families get relief without ballooning the state budget.
What if families need care immediately?
We can expand access responsibly:
- Prioritize high-need areas
- Support existing safe providers
- Increase reimbursement for quality care
- Streamline licensing without cutting safety
Urgency should never override safety.
Isn’t “universal” more fair?
Fairness means equal protection, not equal slogans.
Every child deserves:
- Safe facilities
- Trained caregivers
- Proper supervision
A rushed universal program that cuts corners is not fair — it is risky.
What happens if your pilot programs don’t meet standards?
We fix them before expanding.
That is true leadership:
- Measure
- Adjust
- Improve
- Then scale
Not “expand now, apologize later.”
Will your plan cost less?
Yes — because it:
- Targets assistance
- Prevents fraud
- Avoids runaway entitlements
- Prioritizes infrastructure over bureaucracy
Smart spending beats flashy spending.
What’s your bottom line?
Affordable child care is essential.
Unsafe child care is unacceptable.
Unaccountable spending is irresponsible.New York can have all three:
- Affordability
- Safety
- Accountability
But only with leadership grounded in facts, discipline, and common sense.
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