Policy Pick: Proposed State Budget for 2008-2009February 18, 2008 |
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 On January 10th, Governor Schwarzenegger released his Proposed Budget for the July 2008-June 2009 fiscal year. The budget seeks to close an estimated $14.5 billion gap by making 10 percent cuts to spending in most state programs and departments. These proposed cuts will significantly impact young children's healthcare and educational opportunities across California in a wide variety of ways. First 5 LA is working to expand opportunities for children 0-5, not limit them. The Governor's proposed budget is a big step backwards According to the state, the proposed budget will reduce spending on children's healthcare and cut approximately 8,000 child care slots. The Child Development Policy Institute estimates that the actual number of lost slots will be closer to 100,000. Cuts in child care slots adversely affect working parents or those in job-training programs as well as the children who benefit from the developmental and educational aspects of child care. The Community Care Licensing Division, which performs random licensing visits to child care centers, would also see significant cuts under the Governor's proposal. These cuts would reduce the frequency of inspections from once every three years to once every seven. These licensing inspections cover the most basic health and safety standards, providing a floor of minimum quality. Currently, California is ranked a disgraceful 38th among the states with respect to the frequency of our licensing visits, a ranking that is sure to drop if these cuts pass. The plan will also reduce spending on the Healthy Families children's health insurance program. The Governor is proposing placing a $1,000 annual limit on dental services for children (which will impact approximate five percent of all families) and increasing the family contributions for certain children. The premium cost for children with family incomes between 150 and 200 percent of federal poverty level would see a 78 percent increase (up from $9 to $16 per month). The cost of children with family incomes between 200 and 250 percent would increase 27 percent (up from $15 to $19 per month). The plan may also eliminate of a variety of "optional" Medi-Cal benefits/services including dental services for adults. This cut impacts children because pregnant women with gum disease are seven and a half times more likely to have premature, low birth-weight infants. Revisions to the 2008-2009 budget will continue through the spring. If you'd like to help inform the process, we urge you to contact the Governor or your Legislators. For advocacy tips, please visit the Policy & Advocacy section of our Web site or contact Kate Sachnoff, Policy Analyst, at 213-482-7577. ‹‹Back to this week's Monday Morning Report |
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