Denish: Martinez's Child Care Comments Put Her at Odds with New Mexico Families Yet Again

Press Release

The following is a statement from Diane Denish on Susana Martinez's assertion that child care is akin to welfare:

"During last night's debate, Susana Martinez showed she doesn't understand the struggles of working families and working single parents. It's apparent she sees critical child-care services as a form of welfare. This is incredibly insulting, as the people who use these services would not be able to stay in their jobs without child-care assistance. That's not welfare, that's helping people keep their jobs and get ahead."

Now, more than ever, we need a Governor on the side of New Mexico families. I understand the need for working parents to have safe, quality child care. I have a history of supporting early childhood education and development. As Governor, I will expand early childhood services that are essential to working families."

Susana Martinez's quote from the debate: "I think certainly subsidizing childcare is a temporary solution…we don't want them to become part of a welfare system that is a permanent way of life. We want to give them a hand up, but not a way of life with the assistance that state government can give them."

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