Governor’s Budget Proposal Shows Commitment to Children and Families in Education, Health and Income in a Time of Uncertainty
January 10, 2017
Los Angeles, CA – Below is a statement from Peter Manzo, President and CEO, on behalf of United Ways of California (UWCA), regarding the Governor’s proposed budget release:
In a time of great uncertainty about federal budget commitments to California, United Ways of California understands the cautious nature of this proposal and is pleased to see the Governor’s commitment to continuing crucial support to families and children.
We thank the Governor for his commitment to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid Expansion and the Medi-Cal expansion to cover 185,000 undocumented children. This budget supports this expansion that helps keep all California kids healthy with $279.5 million to cover 185,000 children.
We are pleased to see the Governor continue his commitment to the State EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). This credit is an important work support for very low-income, working Californians. It is important to continue this annual tax credit while striving to expand eligibility to the self-employed and increase the current income eligibility limits. The state EITC not only benefits hard working Californians, it puts money directly back into our local economies. In addition, we are pleased to see the state’s housing crisis and workforce development needs highlighted and continued to be invested in by the state.
We are disappointed to see there will be no augmentation of childcare funding in this 2017-18 budget as quality child care is so essential to the development of children while enabling hard-working parents to boost their earning power.
United Ways of California is committed to working with the Governor and Legislature to pass a final budget that protects our children, their families, our communities and our future.
###
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. California’s United Ways know that success in any one of these areas is affected by progress or lack thereof in the others.
