Take Action! Tell State Budget Leaders to Fund the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension

Published on May 26, 2023 in CalFresh, State Legislation

We are pleased to share that the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension budget request was included in the Senate budget package at $3 million one-time funding. Nourish California would like to thank supporters of the budget request for making your voices heard. Your advocacy means we are one step closer to ensuring the state increases investments to boost CalFresh benefits to help alleviate the extra burden faced by CalFresh households who have unsafe tap water. Thank you.

We would also like to thank Assemblymember Arambula and Senator Hurtado for their leadership on the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension, and for their ongoing commitment to improving food access for Californians with low income. We also extend our gratitude to Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 Chair, Caroline Menjivar for prioritizing the pilot extension in the Subcommittee’s 2023-24 budget package.

What’s next?

Now is the time to take action! Assembly and Senate budget leaders are meeting now to finalize the Legislature’s budget package for negotiations with the Governor.

We need your help to ensure the Senate and Assembly are aligned in support, and the Governor also supports funding for the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension. Don’t wait, make your voice heard today in support of increasing CalFresh benefits now.

1) Call and/or Email these key State Budget leaders:

Governor Gavin Newsom (916) 445-2841
Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (916) 651-4039
Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (916) 651-4009
Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (916) 319-2062
Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting Tel: (916) 319-2019

Sample script:

Hi, my name is _____ and I live in ______. I’m calling to urge the Governor/Assemblymember/Senator ______ to support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension passed by the Senate in the final state budget package. This urgent and impactful investment will extend the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot to continue to provide vital food assistance to CalFresh households harmed by the lack of safe drinking water. Please include funding for the pilot extension in the final state budget. Thank you. [Or choose one or more of the following reasons or tell them your own]

No one should go hungry in the great state of California. Food and water are the most essential parts of a full and healthy life. The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help California families who face the extra challenge of unsafe drinking water. Without action, families will be cut off in October. Please support funding for the extension.

CalFresh benefits were recently cut. Funding the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help families afford the foods they need. Please support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension in the state budget.

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help reduce the harm households are facing due to the CalFresh benefits cut. Please support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension in the state budget.

2) Show your support on social media!

Tweet or post your support and tag key budget leaders.

Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAGovernor)
Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (@SenToniAtkins)
Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA)
Assembly Speaker Rendon (@Rendon63rd).
Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting (@PhilTing)

Sample tweets:

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot extension will help families better afford the food and safe drinking water they need. It will boost CalFresh benefits immediately without any extra forms or hassle for participants. @CAGovernor @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing

Support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension to address the hunger cliff and help CA families who face the extra challenge of unsafe drinking water. Without action, families will be cut off in October. Plz support! @CAGovernor @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will bolster impacted households' food and water budgets immediately and ongoing. The state must use every option to reduce the harm of the CalFresh cuts. Plz support! @CAGovernor @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing

3) Add your organization to our budget sign-on letter.

Click here to read our coalition budget sign-on letter. To add your organization in support of funding the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension, please email your organization's logo to jared@nourishca.org. Thank you!

Background

More than one million Californians lack access to safe drinking water. Latinx, rural, and under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected. The lack of safe drinking water is a threat to food security.

When households that participate in CalFresh are forced to spend limited grocery dollars to purchase bottled water, they have less to spend on the food they need. Recognizing this dire situation, the state launched the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot in March 2022, providing $50 per month to more than 4,000 households in select zip codes that lack access to safe drinking water.

While long-term solutions are necessary, California communities need access to safe drinking water right now. A one-time allocation in the state budget will keep the existing pilot from sunsetting too soon and will reach additional participants.

Show your support by taking one or more of the actions outlined above TODAY. Thank you for your support and advocacy!

Questions? Contact: Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.