May 14, 2015

(Sacramento, CA) -  Pete Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California released the following statement on Governor Brown’s May Revision to his proposed California’s 2015-16 state budget:

“Our United Way network enthusiastically applauds the Governor for creating a refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit, joining 25 other states in helping low income working Californians to support their families. The proposed credit will benefit an estimated 825,000 families and 2 million individuals, a great start that we hope we can build on to reduce the high rate of poverty in California.”

While we are pleased to see the Governor’s commitment to fund a state Earned Income Tax Credit, we are also deeply disappointed in the May Revision’s failure to increase investments in much needed high-quality early childhood education, child care and health care.  

With state revenues growing each month, California should be making wise investments in programs with proven outcomes. The research is crystal clear—early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make to provide our youngest and most vulnerable children with quality early learning experiences they need to thrive in school and in life. 

In addition, we must do better to improve health care for children and all Californians by investing the additional federal money from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewal to provide better for our children’s health. Further, while the Governor plans to invest in healthcare for legally present residents, DACA and DAPA, as mandated by law, the $62 million General Fund monies do not go far enough to ensure all Californians have access to health coverage.

We call on the Assembly and the Senate to stand up for our youngest and most vulnerable residents and send Governor Brown a budget that invests in quality early education and health care as well as health care for all Californians”

We thank the Governor for helping right our state budget through prudent fiscal management, but we believe the state can sustainably fund these additional investments in early childhood education and health care for children; these investments would pay off in future by helping create stronger working families.”

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United Ways of California improves health, education and financial stability results for low-income California families by coordinating the statewide advocacy and community impact work of 34 California United Ways.

Contact:
Peter Manzo, President & CEO
pmanzo@unitedwaysca.org
877.355.8922 x1

Judy Darnell, Vice President of Public Policy
jdarnell@unitedwaysca.org
831.246.3099