1.15.2014 Last week, Governor Brown released his 2014-15 state budget. The budget proposes $106 billion for the General Fund, with just under $7 billion allotted to Human Services and $45 billion for K-12 education. The proposed budget also includes the creation of a Rainy Day Fund. Overall, the Governor’s budget prioritizes continued austerity and a reduction of state debt. Unfortunately, the Governor’s proposal does not do enough to reduce poverty in California.
California’s state coffers are still recovering from the difficult economic downturn — and so are many of California’s families. More than 8 million Californians live in poverty and at least 4 million continue to struggle with food insecurity. As state revenues increase, the budget should focus not just on shrewd savings and debt repayment, but also on investments in vital public programs that help struggling Californians get back on their feet. To help fulfill the Governor’s vision of long-term fiscal stability, the 2014-15 state budget should address the growing inequities faced by California’s low-income families.
With respect to nutrition for low-income Californians, there are few budget highlights.
CalWORKs: CalWORKs maximum grants will increase by 5% in March 2014 as agreed to in last year’s budget. While this is a much-needed increase, it brings the CalWORKs grant value to only 41.6% of the Federal Poverty Level. Even with the inclusion of CalFresh benefits, household budgets for CalWORKs participants are too low to meet the most basic needs, including nutrition.
SSI: The proposed budget does not provide an increase in state funding to the SSI grant. The current value of the SSI grant is just 90% of the Federal Poverty Level. At this grant level, benefits are inadequate and many SSI recipients struggle to meet their most basic needs, including nutrition.
Early Childhood Education: The Governor’s proposed budget does not include any major restorations to the field of early childhood education (ECE). In comparison to the Legislature’s recent proposals to expand quality early childhood education to all children in California, the Governor’s proposed ECE investments fall short. CFPA looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Administration over the next few months to demonstrate that prudent investments in early childhood nutrition will benefit children, families, early childhood educators, and the state’s bottom line.
The Legislature will begin discussing state budget proposals this month. The Governor will release his revised budget by May 15. The final budget must be presented to the Governor by June 15.
Learn more about ECE Nutrition Investments. link
Read the Governor’s Proposed 2014-15 Budget. link
Questions? Contact Alexis Fernández at 510.433.1122 ext. 111
