More than 150 Workers Convene to Push for Universal Childcare and Promote Troy Jackson Childcare Proposal
PHOTO: Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney speaks at the 2026 Maine Labor Lobby Day press conference at the Maine State House.
Today, more than 150 workers convened at the State House in Augusta to talk with legislators about key worker legislative priorities as part of the Maine AFL-CIO’s annual Labor Lobby Day. At a press conference in the State House Hall of Flags, Maine workers pushed for affordable childcare, tax fairness and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson’s universal child care plan. You can watch a livestream of the press conference here:
“Working parents are struggling tremendously with the cost of child care and the lack of available providers,” said Cynthia Phinney, President of the Maine AFL-CIO. “We can achieve universal, affordable, quality childcare for working class families and pay for it by modestly taxing the wealthiest Mainers. It’s time to support working families, ensure the wealthy pay their fair share, and invest in our future.”
The Maine AFL-CIO supports gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson’s ambitious plan to create a universal child care program for Maine. This would provide a free year of child care to families earning up to 125% of the state median income and provide living wages to child care workers, For families earning more, they would pay no more than 7% of their household income toward the cost of childcare.
"Childcare is the backbone of our economy, but it’s breaking the backs of working families. Parents struggle to find care for their kids and when they do, they often can’t afford it. And providers struggle to keep their doors open," said Jackson. "It's time for universal child care."
Approximately 18,000 working-age Mainers are out of the labor force because of a lack of childcare. This costs Maine more than $400 million in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue every year.As an important immediate step, the Maine AFL-CIO is calling on the Maine Legislature and the Governor to support LD 1955, An Act to Increase Child Care Affordability and Early Childhood Educator Stability, sponsored by Senator Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland), which would lower child care costs and increase access to quality early childhood education by providing $15 million to the Child Care Affordability Program, which helps families cover child care costs. This legislation will eliminate the current waitlist and make the program available for many more working families. There are currently 1,000 Maine families on the waiting list for the Child Care Affordability Program.
“A while back, when my family heard about the Child Care Affordability Program, we were excited to apply. I remember telling my co-workers about the program and hearing how big a difference it would make in their lives, too,” said Kevin Ready, a postal worker and member of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 458. “But when the funding dried up and the waitlist was implemented, it was like the rug was pulled out from us just when it seemed like things were about to get a little better. Without that support, our family couldn't afford to pay for child care which meant that my wife couldn't work. In the end, our family was worse off, struggling to pay the bills. LD 1955 will eliminate the waiting list and ensure more working-class families like mine no longer have to struggle to afford quality child care.”
“The bottom line is that taking this first step in investing in child care is a win for Maine’s economy, workforce, and families,” said child care provider Meghann Carrasco. “LD 1955 ensures that families can afford child care, parents can work and contribute to the economy and Maine’s future is built on a stable, thriving early childhood system. With over 1,000 families waiting, LD 1955 delivers immediate, meaningful impact when Maine families need it most.”
To achieve a universal childcare system in Maine, we will need to tax the wealthy and unrig our tax code. This session the Maine AFL-CIO is backing LD 1089, a millionaire’s tax sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell), which would place a 2 percent tax surcharge on incomes over $1 million. This would bring in approximately $143 million over two years.
Registered nurse Meg Sinclair, a member of the Maine State Nurses Association and RN in Maine Medical Center’s emergency department, said she and several of her colleagues have had to cut their hours due to a lack of child care availability.
“No one who desires to have a family should be limited from doing so because of the inaccessibility and unaffordability of child care. But the reality is, working class families are doing exactly that. This is simply wrong, especially given that we can find the funding to improve access to child care with a modest tax on the wealthiest Mainers. It is unfair that nurses like us pay the same rate of taxes as a millionaire,” said Sinclair. “We need leaders in the state house and in DC who are going to support the working class by fighting for universal childcare and taxing the rich to pay for it. We need to elect Troy Jackson as our governor, because he always has and always will stick up for the working class.”