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CNY Working Families Receive Tax Credit, But Some Say Greater Problems Remain CNY Working Families Receive Tax Credit, But Some Say Problems Remain

By Jack Ziskin

A photo of the Graduate Admissions Office where Shelly Griffin works. The office has recently lost an employee due to the cost of childcare.
© 2024 Jack Ziskin

Jack Ziskin, Reporter: Back to school shopping is just around the corner and One Million low to moderate-income families could receive up to $330 per child through Empire State Child Credit Program. But Syracuse University employee Shelly Griffin says that might not be enough for Central New Yorkers.

Shelly Griffin, SU Employee: And you weigh the costs of – why am I getting up every morning, traveling into work, gas, parking, health care benefits, whatever it is, there’s nothing left

Jack Ziskin, Reporter: According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are over 600,000 less women participating in the workforce today than before the pandemic in 2020 because the cost of childcare, which may explain Griffin’s lack of enthusiasm.

Shelly Griffin, SU Employee: So if you get a three-hundred-and-fifty dollar credit from New York State, that’s kind of a slap in the face — that’s not a lot of money.

Jack Ziskin, Reporter: Central New Yorkers may be able to use this money to buy school supplies, but there are more pressing needs that haven’t been addressed. Jack Ziskin, NCC News.

SYRACUSE N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Over One Million Central New Yorkers will receive up to $330 per child as part of a program to support low and moderate-income families.

Syracuse University Associate Director, Shelly Griffin, who oversees Newhouse DC, Newhouse LA, and Newhouse NYC, said that some university employees need more support.

“And you weigh the costs of – why am I getting up every morning, traveling into work, gas, parking, health care benefits, whatever it is, there’s nothing left,” Griffin said.

Griffin saw two staff members leave her office at Syracuse University because they said that working there cost as much as staying at home. One member of the staff left last Friday and another left for another job before ultimately exiting the workforce.

According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, the cost of childcare can range between 8% to 19% of a family’s income. The cost of childcare has forced some women to involuntarily leave the workforce.

Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press release that New York State was putting money back in people’s pockets to buy items such as school supplies, but working families in Central New York may have more pressing concerns.

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