Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has voted to create equal access to childcare assistance, while Republican Assemblymembers Ken Blankenbush, Janet Duprey and Mark Butler all voted against the measure.

“By making necessary changes to the state’s child care subsidy program and placing limits on out-of-pocket expenses, we are able to help struggling families by providing affordable and stable access to quality child care,” Russell said.

The bill, which was passed by the Assembly in 96-44 vote and was delivered to the Senate. The bill would standardize the cost of child care across the state by limiting co-payments for families receiving child care subsidies to no more than 20 percent of the difference between a family’s income and the poverty level

“Many families require both parents to work in order to make ends meet, making child care a necessity,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, the exorbitant cost of child care means many families will struggle under the financial burden.”

Russell, a Democrat, represents the 116th “River District,” which includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, and DePeyster, and part of Jefferson County.

Blankenbush represents the 117th assembly district, which includes the St. Lawrence County towns of DeKalb, Gouverneur, Hermon, Russell, Edwards, Fowler and Pitcairn.

Butler represents 118th Assembly District, which includes the St. Lawrence County towns of Madrid, Norfolk, Stockholm, Parishville, Pierrepont, Clare, Colton, Clifton and Fine,

Assemblywoman Janet L. Duprey, who represents several eastern St. Lawrence County towns including Brasher, Hopkinton, Lawrence and Piercefield.