STATEMENT: Governor’s May Revise Makes A Day Without Child Care Indefinite for 80,000 More California kids
May 14, 2024 – It is with profound shock and deep concern that we respond to the recent proposal put forth by Governor Newsom to address the budget crisis in California. The Governor’s May Revise targets programs that support women, children of color, and other marginalized communities. The Governor’s reluctance to hold the wealthiest corporations and individuals accountable for their fair share of contributing to the solution is not only unjust but egregiously imbalanced.
We call on Governor Newsom to reconsider his deeply troubling proposal to shift $2 billion in General Fund dollars from our child care system. These funds should be restored so that he can keep his promise to create 200,000 new child care spaces over the next two years and put in place a concrete plan to pay early educators based on the true cost of care. The May Revise also proposes to cut the CalWORKs program by draining its safety net reserve and making additional cuts totaling over $1.6 billion dollars. Both proposals place the burden on predominantly mothers of color.
We must ask: Why are those who benefit from billions of dollars in tax breaks not being asked to shoulder their fair share of the burden? Why must programs that provide vital support to women and children, particularly those of color, bear the brunt of proposed budget cuts?
The Governor’s approach not only undermines our commitment to equity and justice, but also jeopardizes the well-being and future of generations to come. While Parent Voices CA parents and children fight tooth-and-nail to protect programs from cuts–programs that offer a lifeline out of poverty–there is no energy put toward addressing the $70 billion every year in tax breaks to the state’s wealthiest corporations and individuals. Where is their pause, deferral, or proposed elimination?
Last week we brought 350 families to the Capitol for Stand for Children Day. We joined Parent Voices Oakland, Child Care Providers United and Child Care Changemakers in Oakland yesterday to call attention to the child care crisis for the nationally coordinated, Day Without Child Care, with 85 actions in 26 states. While California used to lead on care, the Governor’s May Revised budget proposal takes us backwards. The Governor is effectively saying 80,000 children will continue to go a day without child care indefinitely. These children will join the 8 in 9 children who qualify for child care in California but do not receive it. On Wednesday May 15, we will join our Coalition partners from End Child Poverty CA for their advocacy day in the Capitol to make our message clear: Hands off! No cuts and no delays to programs that support our families.
We hope the Legislature will come to the negotiating table with solutions that will mitigate the greatest harm and protect the progress we’ve made the last few years. Until the ink is dry on this budget, we will remind everyone that there are other solutions that must be on the table before any cuts to our programs are made. We do join the Governor, Legislature, and 500 community groups who oppose the November ballot initiative – Taxpayer Deception Act – which would further erode our ability to raise revenues.
Actions to Let Your Voice Be Heard
Since March, nearly 800 of you sent emails to the Governor and Senate Budget Committee, as well as took action to call your legislative members and the Assembly Budget Committee. Your voices have been heard! Thank you!