Priorities

Supporting Childcare and Public Education

“As a public school parent of three, I couldn’t have a bigger stake in making sure that every family has access to affordable childcare and a quality education. They are the critical ingredients in being able to raise kids in New York City.”
— Micah Lasher

Photo of Micah Lasher walking to school and holding hands with his daughter

What Micah’s Done

As Director of State Legislative Affairs for the City of New York, Micah helped fight for New York City’s fair share of education funding. A decade later, as Director of Policy for Governor Hochul, he helped enact the first budget to fulfill the State’s promise under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit and fully fund educational foundation aid. He also worked in the Attorney General’s office to make it easier for the children of undocumented immigrants to enroll in school, and at the New York City Department of Education to help create two new schools on the West Side: Frank McCourt High School and P.S. 452. Micah also helped make tuition assistance available to part-time students at CUNY and SUNY, supported increased investment in CUNY and SUNY faculty, and created the first-ever endowment matching fund for SUNY university centers. Most recently, he helped develop a plan to transform and improve the way reading is taught in schools statewide.

What Micah Will Do

As a public school parent of three, Micah will fight to ensure our schools get the resources and support they need:

  • Improve child care affordability by establishing a “tri-share” childcare program where employers and the State share in childcare costs, lowering tuition for families
  • Protect and expand public pre-K and 3-K programs in our community and citywide
  • Ensure an effective transition to new, proven methods of reading instruction by expanding training and coaching for teachers
  • Support pathways to school leadership certification and appointment for outstanding teachers
  • Provide more school-based mental health services, guidance counselors, and teaching assistants in local schools
  • Make much-needed investments in CUNY and SUNY, with a particular focus on workforce development and part-time programs