White House child care event to feature Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is set to speak at a White House event Wednesday outlining how states can make child care more affordable and support early childhood workers.

First lady Jill Biden and three presidential aides will also address the group, which is expected to include more than 90 legislators from 41 states, according to the White House.

Lujan Grisham’s participation comes as New Mexico pushes to expand early childhood programs. A voter-approved constitutional amendment is expected to generate about $240 million a year for early childhood and K-12 education.

The governor has been particularly focused on child care. Earlier this year, she announced plans to tap into federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to boost the pay of child care workers by $3 an hour.

Wednesday’s event is set to focus on state actions that can make child care more affordable for working families and expand the child care workforce, according to the White House.

States leaders are expected to exchange ideas. The event will also feature presidential aides Jennifer Klein, director of the gender policy council; Neera Tanden, director of the domestic policy council; and Tom Perez, director of the intergovernmental affairs office.

Jill Biden will make closing remarks.

The visit is part of a week of out-of-state travel for Lujan Grisham, who attended the National Governors Association meetings in New Jersey last week. She also has had meetings with emergency management and Defense Department officials.

She is scheduled to return to New Mexico on Wednesday after speaking at the White House.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat and former congresswoman, was once a contender for a Cabinet position in the Biden administration. But she stayed in New Mexico and won reelection last year.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales serves as acting governor when Lujan Grisham is out of state.