On Friday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) took to social media to praise New Mexico for doing something no other state has managed: offering universal free child care to everyone. And he's hoping it catches on.
Why Sanders Thinks This Matters
New Mexico officially launched its program last month, becoming the first state to guarantee free child care to all residents regardless of how much money they make. For Sanders, that's exactly the kind of policy America needs more of.
In a post on X, Sanders described New Mexico's approach as a model for fixing what he called the nation's "broken" child care system. His pitch? This isn't just good policy—it's smart economics.
"There is no better rate of return than investing in our children," Sanders wrote, arguing that expanding access to child care strengthens families, improves education outcomes, and boosts long-term economic growth.
He added that other states should follow New Mexico's lead.
How the Program Actually Works
New Mexico officially launched the program in November. Under the initiative, families can receive state-funded vouchers that fully cover child care costs at participating public and private providers, with no income cap.
The program builds on years of policy efforts after the state created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019. It's a big move for a state where nearly 18% of residents live below the poverty line, according to U.S. Census data, making it one of the poorest states in the country.
Other States Are Watching Closely
New Mexico isn't operating in a vacuum here. Other Democratic-led states and cities are exploring similar reforms as child care costs continue squeezing working families.
Connecticut recently passed legislation making child care free for families earning under $100,000 annually, while capping costs at 7% of income for higher earners.
In New York City, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a no-cost universal child care program.
Whether these programs gain traction elsewhere remains to be seen, but New Mexico just gave everyone else a working example to point to.