California Budget & Policy Center

I'm super excited to partner with Mixte Communications for the California Budget & Policy Center's upcoming Policy Insights conference! A big thank you to Mia Bolton for making this possible ?? . During this workshop, we'll explore core elements of long-term communications for social impact, including understanding who you're talking to, meeting them where they are on their journey, and crafting effective messaging in a particularly divisive time. Don't miss out — early bird pricing ends soon! Register today: https://lnkd.in/g5xyxPrp

Yesterday, our own Monica Saucedo, PhD testified before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services. Proposed federal cuts to the safety net threaten the well-being of vulnerable populations and the economic security of all Californians. "In early 2023, safety net programs helped 3.2 million people, including 1.3 million children, avoid poverty. Nearly 80% of the federal dollars flowing through the state budget are directed toward critical services like Medi-Cal, CalFresh, housing assistance, and cash assistance programs. Cuts to these programs would not only lead to increased poverty and homelessness, but lead to higher public health costs, worsened school outcomes, and greater demand for emergency services. An investment in the safety net is an investment in California’s future."

Republican federal budget proposals would pave the way for deep and harmful cuts that would take health coverage, nutrition assistance, and other essentials away from millions of Californians who are already struggling to make ends meet in the face of persistently high inflation and the high cost of living. These cuts would increase poverty and hardship, widen race and ethnic inequities, and make it harder for workers to maintain their jobs in exchange for funding huge tax giveaways for the wealthy. Our latest publication breaks down how many residents in each of California’s congressional districts rely on these vital programs, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of these proposed cuts. Help us spread the word — share it with your networks. #FederalPolicy #Budget #PolicyMatters

? LAST CHANCE: Early bird pricing ends this week! Secure your discounted spot for Policy Insights before it's too late. ? Don't miss out on inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities with fellow changemakers. https://lnkd.in/ga38yTzg

Today, our own Scott Graves testified before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee Informational Hearing to shed light on federal funding and the current federal policy landscape. “Federal funding is the foundation that supports vital services for millions of Californians. Programs like Medi-Cal, which provides health coverage to over 14 million Californians, and CalFresh, which helps 5 million put food on the table, are lifelines in every district. But proposed federal cuts — up to $1.5 trillion over the next decade — would disproportionately impact programs like Medicaid and SNAP, potentially shifting $10B to $20B in new costs to California every year. This would jeopardize health care and other critical services that Californians rely on. If these cuts move forward, state leaders will face hard choices, but state spending cuts should be a last resort. Options include ensuring profitable corporations pay their fair share and reviewing tax breaks that benefit corporations and high-income households. These cuts are not inevitable, and we must advocate for preserving essential services to protect Californians, especially those with low incomes.” #CAbudget

Children need a safe space to learn and grow while parents are at work or school, but the nation's early care and education system is in crisis after decades of underinvestment and disinvestment stemming from racist and sexist ideas about the value of caregiving. I recently worked with Laura Pryor, PhD and Nishita Nair at the California Budget & Policy Center to publish three pieces exploring the damaging effects of this underinvestment. 1. Even with increased funding in recent years, resources still fall far short of the billions in additional support necessary to provide?fair and just wages to ECE professionals?and to?increase access to ECE programs?for families with low and moderate incomes in California. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSkfE-Zf 2. Higher wages for early care and education workers in California are essential to expanding affordable child care, supporting families’ economic security, and addressing long-standing workforce inequities rooted in racism and sexism. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gTZZnBH9 3. Just 1 in 7 eligible kids have access to subsidized child care in California, leaving many struggling families to shoulder the high cost of child care in addition to the rising cost of groceries, rent, and other expenses. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKaxaUXf

How many Californians could be affected by proposed federal budget cuts to programs and services funded by federal dollars? Federal funding supports vital public services in California, including health care, food assistance, child care, and higher education. We break down how these potential cuts could impact the services Californians rely on every day, along with the amount and percentage of federal funds supporting critical programs. ? Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3bzgh5x

Here is some additional context on ECE professionals' wages from our latest at California Budget & Policy Center, providing important background for the CA Assembly to keep in mind as they discuss next steps for rate reform this Wednesday: **If trends continue, it will take nearly 60 years for ECE professionals’ wages to catch up to the median wage of all workers. **ECE professionals’ hourly wage is less than half the median hourly wage of a middle school or elementary school teacher. ECE professionals often have the same qualifications and work with the same age groups as elementary and middle school teachers; yet, median wages are far from parity.

NEW: Early Care and Education Workers Need Higher Wages Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality early care and education (ECE). Yet low wages for ECE professionals remain a major barrier. Right now, ECE professionals earn just 39% of the K-8 median wage, despite having similar qualifications and responsibilities. At this rate, it will take nearly 60 years for their wages to match the median wage of all workers. State leaders have the tools to ensure fair pay, expand affordable child care, strengthen family economic security, and address long-standing workforce inequities. ? Learn more in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/gnpsrCfN

NEW: Proposed Federal Funding Cuts Jeopardize Key Services Federal funds sustain critical services for millions of Californians. These services are now in jeopardy due to threatened federal budget cuts and policy rollbacks, putting the health and well-being of communities at risk. President Trump and congressional Republicans are pushing for deep federal funding cuts to help offset tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy. Our latest report breaks down how federal funding reductions could impact a wide range of public services, with substantial human and financial impacts at the state and local levels. ? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3bzgh5x