Massachusetts Legislature Enacts Representative Lipper-Garabedian’s Legislation to Permit the Use of Campaign Funds for Childcare
November 15, 2024 – On November 14, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive Economic Development bond bill, H5100, that includes a legislative proposal filed by State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) allowing for the use of campaign funds for childcare expenses. Representative Lipper-Garabedian was a part of a broader coalition of legislators and organizations advocating for this initiative. Her bill, An Act empowering parental participation in elected office, would allow candidates to use campaign funds for childcare while these candidates participate in campaign activities, encouraging more parents to run for elected office.
“As the mother of two school-aged sons, I am thrilled that the Legislature has taken an important step in empowering parents to run for and hold elected office by eliminating an unnecessary barrier to entry," said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). "Enabling parents to use campaign funds to cover the costs of campaign-related childcare will help enhance the likelihood that parents directly inform local and state policymaking. In a state where we are spending significant fiscal and policy attention on the childcare ecosystem and where we grapple with issues impacting children and families more generally on a daily basis, it is imperative that parents of all backgrounds be represented in our local elected bodies and state offices. I am grateful to Speaker Mariano, President Spilka, the members of the Conference Committee, and the advocates in this space for their support of this effort.”
Working with the Vote Mama foundation, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL), the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women (MassNOW), YW Boston, Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), Representative Dan Hunt (D-Dorchester), Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge), and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull), Representative Lipper-Garabedian collaborated and supported the passage of this measure through its adoption of the Economic Development bill.
Childcare costs serve as an obstacle that greatly impacts the representation of parents, especially mothers, in elected office. According to 2024 study from Vote Mama Foundation, just 4.5 percent of Massachusetts state legislators, Representative Lipper-Garabedian among them, are mothers with minor children. Many candidates, particularly women and parents with young children, face a significant barrier when it comes to balancing the demanding nature of political campaigns with their caregiving responsibilities. By permitting the use of campaign funds for childcare, candidates can more effectively compete on equal footing, without being disproportionately disadvantaged by their caregiving duties. This policy not only helps level the playing field but also encourages diverse voices in politics, enabling more parents to participate in public service and leadership roles. Ultimately, it promotes a more representative democracy, where individuals from various backgrounds and life circumstances have the opportunity to run for office. The enactment of this legislation will Massachusetts ensure more caregivers run for office, bringing more diverse perspectives to policy work.
H.5100, An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership, now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Should that occur, Massachusetts will join the 36 other states and Washington D.C. that have approved Campaign Funds for Childcare.
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