California Budget & Policy Center

Despite conflicting messages, GOP proposals would cut Medicaid, threatening health care for millions in California and beyond. How can state leaders safeguard health care access? ? Our experts Scott Graves and Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto, MPH share more in our latest: https://lnkd.in/g5ny6iu9

Women in California make just $0.86 for every $1 men make. That number is especially important to recognize today on #EqualPayDay. Women across the country and California face continuous barriers to economic equality and it's up to policymakers to address this gap and ensure all women have the opportunity to thrive. Check out this fact sheet on the wage gap from the Women's Well-Being Index where my colleagues and collaborators Laura Pryor, PhD, Hannah Orbach-Mandel, and Kristin Schumacher, PhD MSW display how women in California at the state and county level are faring. Dive deeper in to the wage gap in California here: https://lnkd.in/gmD8-fQU

On this #EqualPayDay, I am re-sharing our report with the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute highlighting challenges and policy solutions for addressing the wage gap for Black women in California. Please check it! Following up from this publication, last Wednesday, Kellie Todd Griffin moderated a phenomenal panel featuring Keisha Nzewi, Wanzi Muruvi, MSc(Planning), PhD, and Krishauna Hines-Gaither, Ph.D. to further unpack this report, specifically focusing on the role of child care. This panel was recorded and can be viewed at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gsAgrKGV Closing the wage gap is critical for advancing the economic security of women, particularly women of color, across California. We hope these resources help advance the conversation to work toward effective policy solutions.

Expert-led sessions at Policy Insights dive into the most pressing issues facing California from immigration and housing to health care and the state budget. Plus, learn strategies from Mixte Communications to craft effective messaging to drive policy change. ? Register today before prices increase! https://lnkd.in/gUECRjiQ

Millions of Californians rely on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other critical programs to stay healthy and financially secure. But proposed federal budget cuts could impact essential support — jeopardizing health coverage, food access, and economic stability across the state. What is the real-world impact of these proposed cuts? And what can state policymakers do right now? ? Explore key findings below, and dive deeper with our latest analyses.

Medi-Cal is a lifeline that provides free or low-cost health coverage for over one-third of California's population. Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration are actively pushing proposals to cut Medicaid funding in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy. What is the potential impact of Medicaid cuts? And what would it mean for millions across the state? Our expert Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto, MPH explores these questions and more in our latest report. ? Read more: https://lnkd.in/g4rMmFts

NEW: CalFresh is a vital tool in mitigating poverty across the state. Harmful policies that would reduce benefits would make it harder for millions with low incomes to put food on the table. ? Our experts Monica Saucedo, PhD and Nishita Nair share more in our latest: https://lnkd.in/gU7eAE3u

Yesterday, our own Alissa Anderson testified before the Assembly Revenue & Taxation Committee. "Refundable tax credits like the EITC and YCTC are proven tools for helping to lift families out of poverty and promote long-term benefits for children. But the Young Child Tax Credit is only available to families with children ages 0-5, leaving about 60% of low-income families ineligible. Expanding it would help about 500,000 more families pay for necessities, which is critically important with California's worsening affordability crisis. State leaders must prioritize policies that take California in a different direction, forstering greater prosperity, not poverty. This should include strengthening anti-poverty tax credits so that more families with children have the resources they need to be healthy and thrive."

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."