United Way of California

Advocates praise Governor Newsom and the Legislature for additional funding for Community Schools, building on last year’s historic investment  

(Sacramento, CA) -  United Ways of California and the Children’s Defense Fund - California applaud the Governor and Legislators for agreeing to invest an additional $1.1 billion in funding for Community Schools in the Fiscal Year 2023-24. This budget agreement is a testament to the shared commitment of the Newsom Administration and the Legislature to build out a more holistic approach to address decades of inequities and help support students and families. 

As organizations that have advocated for their creation and funding for years, United Ways of California and Children’s Defense Fund-California know that the California Community Schools Program is a historic initiative by our state to provide more than just a pathway to graduation for our children and youth. It is an opportunity to build healthy families and reshape communities that have been decimated by racism, policing, poverty, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

We know that Community Schools are designed to provide precisely the kind of programming and services our children, youth, and parents need right now to reduce gun violence, unemployment, suicide, domestic violence, houselessness, and food insecurity. Instead of being punished for problems outside their control, students and families will receive tools and resources to support them. Community Schools will fundamentally reshape and improve health, education, and social service delivery for hundreds of thousands of California children and their families. 

Governor Newsom's proposed May Focuses Economic Relief for Car Owners; United Ways of California Urges Targeted Child Tax Credits, Relief, for Struggling Families, and 2-1-1 System Services

United Ways of California supports the financial scope of the Governor’s proposed May Revise investments, however, notes that relief that does not target families that are struggling the most to get by misses a critical opportunity to invest in data-driven interventions.  

(Los Angeles, CA) — Statement from Peter Manzo, President and CEO of the United Ways of California, (UWCA) regarding Governor Newsom’s proposed May Revise budget:

With California’s current revenue surplus exceeding $97 billion, Governor Newsom has an incredible opportunity to work with the California State Legislature to make targeted investment in what we know works to uplift California families, struggling with the rising cost of living. While we agree with the Governor that the economic realities so many Californians face require robust investments, we differ somewhat on the approach. We support the proposed $2.7 billion investment in rental relief and $1.4 billion proposed for helping Californians address past due utilities, as it is imperative that we keep as many families safely housed as possible. However, we also urge a refocusing of at least a portion of the $11.5 billion for car owners to instead be used via proven pathways for targeted assistance, drawing from our state’s experience with the Golden State Stimulus, California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), and Young Child Tax Credit. These credits hit the sweet spot - they are the most targeted and effective way to reduce poverty, help families deal with inflation, boost local economies, and improve lifelong results for children. 

Governor Newsom’s Proposed January 2022 Budget Invests in Immediate COVID-19 Response and Robust Long-term Economic Recovery; United Ways of California Urges Focus on Tax Credit Equity and 2-1-1 System Services 

United Ways of California applauds the Governor’s proposed substantial investments in public health, homelessness services, and youth-focused tax credits. With a $31 billion surplus, there are opportunities to make additional investments in equitable access to earned income tax credits and the 2-1-1 system as a critical statewide health and human services resource. 

(Los Angeles, CA) — Statement from Peter Manzo, President and CEO of the United Ways of California, (UWCA) regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2022-2023 state budget:

It is encouraging to see so many of our shared values and priorities addressed in the Governor’s January Budget Proposal. With California’s current revenue surplus exceeding $31 billion, and a total state budget of $286.4 billion, we look forward to advocating for a balanced, equitable budget alongside fellow community-based organizations and our elected officials. 

We are very supportive of the Governor’s prioritization of $2.7 billion for vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, as well as funding for medical surge staffing at hospitals and local public health jurisdictions. Addressing our public health crisis and the economic fallout that has been ravaging our state for two years is of critical importance. In that context, we are also especially pleased to see a concrete plan to implement “Health4All,” a first-in-the-nation investment to make sure all immigrant residents are eligible for Medi-Cal by expanding coverage to the last segment of ineligible undocumented residents, 26 to 49-year-olds. The United Way network in California has been a strong proponent of equitable access to health care for over a decade and we are thrilled to see this community-based advocacy effort result be realized. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Contact:

Anna Hasselblad, Public Policy Director

United Ways of California

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 916-317-4997

House bill to increase child tax credit by over $1000 for many struggling families, including immigrants, among other expansions, successfully passes committee. 

SACRAMENTO-- After months of deliberation, the House Ways & Means Committee has cast their final votes to maintain Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansions through 2025.

"We applaud the actions taken by the Senate to strengthen the Child Tax Credit and EITC, and we urge the full inclusion of the Ways and Means language in the final budget reconciliation package,” said Pete Manzo, President & CEO for United Ways of California (UWCA).“We know that over half of households with young children struggle to make ends meet according to our Real Cost Measure study. The first round of payments from the newly expanded CTC alone moved 3 million children above the poverty line, and extending that impact for years to come is a huge win for low-income children and their families.” 

Contact:
Beylah Marks
United Ways of California
bmarks@unitedwaysca.org 
(408) 718-6274

Nearly one in three California families are struggling to cover their daily needs, according to a new study released by United Ways of California that defines which families struggle financially in California more accurately than the federal poverty level, and demonstrates that the current policy debates around child care, housing costs, and family tax credits are more urgent than ever.

The study, Struggling to Move Up: The Real Cost Measure in California 2021, finds that the share of families that struggle financially is 2.5 times higher in California than what is factored in the federal government’s measure. It amounts to 3.5 million families who are unable to meet basic needs — a situation affecting Latino and Black households at much higher rates than other communities. The federal government uses an outdated formula for calculating poverty — one that fails to take into account how much rent, transportation, healthcare, and other basic needs cost in California.