May 16, 2024
This week the Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees met to discuss Governor Newsom’s May Revision to the State Budget. Both committees expressed concern, frustration, and confusion regarding the Governor’s suggested cuts and delays. Both houses raised questions over:
- The delay in the promised addition of 200,000 child care spaces by FY 2026-27.
- The state has only released 119,00 of these spaces, leaving 81,000 children on waiting lists.
- The clawback of 27,000 child care spaces authorized in previous budgets.
- The 1,700 children who won’t have child care due to the reduction in funding for Emergency Child Care Bridge vouchers for children in foster care.
- The lack of a timeline for the implementation of the alternative methodology that ensures fair pay for child care providers.
- The dramatic cuts to various CalWORKs programs that offer services to new mothers, people with mental health needs, and families seeking work.
- Child care providers being unfairly taxed on the infrastructure grants they received during Covid.
The Assembly and Senate budget committee members were clear they did not support a budget that is balanced on the backs of those with the least resources and they are ready to fight for a budget that reflects California’s values.
The Legislature must send their budget to the Governor by June 15. While lawmakers meet this week in the Senate and Assembly, we will continue to advocate for child care spaces for those on the waitlists, and fair pay for child care providers.
