May 16, 2024
What is the May Revise?
Each year, the Governor releases a spending plan for the state in January, and then revises it in May, after the April tax revenues are collected. Governor Newsom released the 2024 May Revise on May 10.
What this means for child care:
Unfortunately, in this budget the Governor has not included adequate funding for any child care programs. Breaking his 2021 promise for 200,000 spaces by 2026-27, the Governor is proposing both to cut 27,000 spaces that have already been authorized in previous budgets and to indefinitely pause the 54,000 spaces that were part of the future plan. This leaves 81,000 families without child care options.
Additionally, he mentioned no funding or clear timeline to implement and fund the alternative methodology that was devised specifically to get child care providers adequate pay.
The Governor’s plan includes cuts to several CalWORKs programs, including programs that offer services to new mothers, people with mental health needs, and families seeking work. These cuts, coupled with the reduction of $34.8 million in funding for child care services to families caring for children in foster care, paint a clear picture that the Governor and the State legislature are not prioritizing California’s child care providers or families.
Conclusion:
While it is disappointing that the Governor has not made funding child care efforts a priority, the fight is not over. The Legislature will send the Governor their budget on June 15, 2024. Over the next month, we will continue to advocate for fair pay for child care providers and continue to make our voices heard in Sacramento at both Senate and Assembly budget committee hearings.
