Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics a proposal to increase spending for child care included the state budget proposal is running into problems. The development comes as lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul continue to negotiate a state spending plan that was expected to pass last week. The plan under consideration would provide child care support for families that earn 300 percent above the federal poverty rate with a subsidy rate of 80 percent. But the estimate that only 15 percent of the families that qualify would participate is considered "ludicrously low," according to a source. The concern is the lack of funding and low estimation of participation in child care programs would lead to it quickly running out of money. That could force county governments to pick up costs or create a waiting list. A push for child care in the budget this year was brought in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complications families faced during the public health crisis. The $3 billion cost for the program was considered by many advocates to be the minimum amount needed for the program. Read more at spectrumlocalnews [dot] com.