State Budget Update: Updated ABCs of Advocacy, Cox Bill, Hearings Schedule

New Cox Bill In Hearing: First 5-funded programs serving young children and their families are threatened again by a new bill from State Senator Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks). SB 1109, which would divert Proposition 10 funding away from First 5 programs and services throughout California, is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, April 14. Senator Cox has proposed identical bills in the past, all of which have failed.

State Budget Hearings: To help early childhood advocates navigate through the state budget deliberations, First 5 LA will provide information on legislative committee meetings and hearings that affect young children and their families. Please check back for updates.

Scheduled hearings:

• NEW: Tuesday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m., Room 444: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance. Overview of the Governor's 2010-11 Budget: Child Care and Development Programs.
• Thursday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m., Room 4203: Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services. Department of Social Services: Children's programs, Community Care Licensing (CCL).
• Wednesday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m., Room 444: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services. Department of Child Support Services.
• NEW: Tuesday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m., Room 444: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance. Department of Education: Implementation of budget reductions, ARRA administration.

• Wednesday, April 28 at 1:30 p.m., Room 444: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1. CalWORKs, Stage 1 Child Care, Child Welfare Services and Foster Care, Community Care Licensing.