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Governor Proposes to Divert First 5 and Other Early Childhood Funding
CALL TO ACTION: Please Contact Your Legislator Before Next Tuesday January 26th
Our youngest children and their families need your help now! Local funding streams that support young children are being jeopardized by the Governor’s proposed budget.
Local First 5 (Proposition 10) and Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) funds are once again being slated as a way to balance the state budget. Additionally other funds that support early childhood programs including elimination of CALWORKS and Healthy Families and substantial cuts to Medi-Cal are also being threatened.
We encourage you to write today to members of the California State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee, and our local legislators today before the budget is heard in committee next week on January 26 (click here for contact list).
Below is some background on First 5 and the budget approval process. Click here for a sample letter.
Background
Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled a state budget proposal that includes a plan to strip an estimated $550 million in voter-approved funding from California's First 5 programs. First 5 Commissions, including First 5 Monterey County, are funded by Proposition 10 to support local early learning, family support, and health programs as well as countless other critical services for young children and families.
The proposal:
Redirected First 5 funds would be used to support the state's own programs administered by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services with no guarantee that this money would be invested back into our communities.
Since approving Proposition 10 in 1998, California voters have turned back multiple attempts to redirect the initiative. In 2000, voters rejected a repeal supported by the tobacco industry. Last year, California lawmakers' attempted to divert Proposition 10 money to the state’s general fund through Proposition 1D. Proposition 1D was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in May 2009.
The Governor's proposal now goes to the State Legislature for approval. If approved, a new proposition to redirect Prop. 10 funding would be included in the June 2010 election.
Next Tuesday, January 26, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services will hear the Governor's proposal to divert Proposition 10 revenues to the Department of Developmental Services. It will also be debated within the Democratic and Republican Caucuses, so it's important that all members of the Legislature hear what their constituents think. It is critical to communicate with your representatives in Sacramento now.
First 5 Monterey County will continue to provide information about the impact of this proposal and we appreciate your support in helping save children's programs in Monterey County. For more information, please contact Kim Stemler at kim@First5Monterey.org or 831-444-8549, ext. 18. Also, please pass this along to others who are committed to supporting young children, including parents.