New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing $110 million to go toward building more child care centers in the state, she announced Tuesday, continuing a theme this week of highlighting child care investment plans as part of her 2025 State of the State executive agenda. Funds would also go toward repairs for existing sites.

“I’ve heard from everybody. We have a shortage of facilities. And we have an amazing program that if your family earns $108,000 or less, your child care costs can be capped at $15 a week,” Hochul said at an event in New York City. “Think about that. Think about the money that’s back in your pockets. But it only helps if there’s a place to go. That sounds nice on paper but if you’re in a child care desert, that doesn’t matter. So let’s build more.”

In addition, Hochul wants to build a substitute teacher pool run by the state Department of Labor for those facilities to help offset shortages in the industry. At times, child care facilities have to shut down on days when staff are absent due to a lack of staff who are able to step in as substitutes.

Hochul also said she wants to continue the New York Coalition for Child Care, which is a partnership between business leaders, labor unions, tax and revenue experts and existing child care providers that provide insight.

“Let’s continue having smart experts and people engaged in this career, in this profession to continue gathering and giving recommendations to myself and the [state] Legislature," Hochul said.

She added she would like the state move toward universal child care.

“We need to get there," she said.

This follows Monday’s announcement from Hochul where she is proposing a large expansion of the state’s child care credit where families would receive an annual credit of up to $1,000 per child under age 4 and older to $500 per child from age 4 to 16. The current rate is set at $330 per child.

Hochul will lay out her executive proposals in her annual State of the State address in Albany next Tuesday.