Democrats in the New York state Senate say the state should allow families with young children to defer some of their state income taxes to help them cover the cost of child care.

The proposal announced Tuesday would allow families to keep up to $2,000 of their state taxes to pay for child care. The amount would be repaid over up to 10 years, interest-free, once the child has entered school.

Other ideas from the Senate’s Democratic minority include a law allowing workers to take paid time off to care for a new child or sick loved one, increased child care subsidies and help for new mothers dealing with postpartum depression.

Democratic Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says the measures are intended to help the “youngest New Yorkers” and their families.

(AP)