rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/cmte-bill?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-cmte-bill' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Common Start Coalition https://actionnetwork.org/groups/commonstartma https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg In early 2021, the Common Start Coalition drafted legislation, originally filed by Reps. Gordon & Madaro and Senators Lewis & Moran, that would establish a framework for delivering increased access to affordable, high-quality early education and child care to Massachusetts families, over the course of several years. On May 18, the Legislature’s Education Committee approved a landmark bill, H.4795/S.2883, titled An Act to Expand Access to High-Quality, Affordable Early Education and Care. Major sections of the Education Committee's legislation are heavily based on the Common Start bill, and we are thrilled that it strongly reflects many of our coalition's core principles and proposed solutions to the childcare crisis (read more about the bill here). Now, we have until the end of the current legislative session on July 31 to pass H.4795/S.2883 and make progress this year on transforming the childcare system in Massachusetts! We are on the verge of a major victory and the achievement of the first phase of our Common Start vision. Now is the time to make our voices heard and push hard for the affordable, accessible early education child care system we know is possible! We know that fulfilling our full vision will require a sustained effort to fund this framework and build on it over several years. The Common Start Coalition will continue to work with state leaders this session, next session, and beyond to build the affordable, accessible, high-quality early education and child care system that Massachusetts families deserve. Fill out the form to the right with your name and address to send a letter to your state legislators urging them to pass H.4795/S.2883, as well as two modest additions that are supported by the Common Start Coalition and outlined here, by the end of the current legislative session. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/cmte-bill