State Budget Update: Governor's May Revise Budget Cuts CalWORKs and Children's Programs

The new budget plan does not call for a ballot measure to redirect Proposition 10 funds, as the failed Measure 1D had attempted to do last year. Rather, it directs First 5 to funnel $81.4 million into the state's Healthy Families program. This scenario mirrors last year's ultimate solution to the Healthy Families funding crisis, when First 5 California offered a similar amount to keep children enrolled in the program. The governor's May Revise also proposes using an additional $50 million in First 5 funding to prop up children's programs under the Department of Developmental Services, a move that First 5 California has already approved.

In addition to helping parents transition to the workplace and financial self-sufficiency, CalWORKs provides childcare to help families with young children. Although eliminating CalWORKs' childcare would save the state more than $1.6 billion, it would also result in the loss of more than $4 billion in matching federal funds. More than a million children would be affected by the elimination of the program.

The governor's plan also proposes the elimination of the state's subsidized childcare services in order to save the state almost $1.2 billion. As a result, more than 51,000 child care centers may close, affecting 142,000 children, according to a Los Angeles Times article.

Also included in the Revise are proposals to hike Healthy Families' premiums for some families, establish caps for various Medi-Cal services, and cut mental health funding.

Democratic legislators have already voiced their objections to many provisions within the governor's proposed budget, calling it "a non-starter." Budget hearings begin this week as lawmakers continue to examine the impact of the proposed cuts.

Additional Resources:

 The Governor's May Revision

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