May 30, 2024
Three weeks ago, Governor Newsom released his May Revision to the State Budget. In response, the State Legislature presented their response to the Governor’s proposed Budget this week. On Thursday, May 30 the State Assembly Budget Committee and State Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services held hearings to engage with advocates, hold space for public comments, and vote on the budget plan that will be sent to the Governor.
In response to the Governor’s proposed cuts, the Legislature proposed:
- A two-year pause, rather than the Governor’s proposed indefinite pause, on expansion of the child care spaces with a trailer bill specifying the plan to reach 200,000 spaces by 2028.
- A restoration of 11,000 spaces that were already awarded in Spring 2024 and a request for a trailer bill to streamline the space expansion application process for direct-contract providers.
- A rejection of both the Governor’s proposed cuts to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children and CalWORKs
- A request for more reporting from the Department of Social Services regarding the alternative methodology for rate reform.
- Lowering the California State Preschool Program child age eligibility to allow children from 24-36 months.
- Creating a reversion account for all child care and general fund preschool programs
- Adopting the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the policy that would have required state preschool programs to serve at least 10% students with disabilities by 2026, and instead keeping the requirement at 5%.
What Happens Next?
The Legislature will now meet to discuss and vote on the budget committees’ suggestions. If passed, the budget will go to the Governor on June 15. The budget must be finalized by Governor Newsom on July 1, 2024.
