Report from Assembly Budget Sub-Committee #2
Education Finance, Tuesday April 13
Parent Voices members who would be affected by cuts to child care funding made a powerful statement before the Assembly Budget Sub-Committee #2 today – in fact, they changed the whole dynamic in the room, according to one veteran observer.
Their testimony explained how child care cuts meant more than just the loss of child care – it also meant the loss of their jobs and their economic security, and risked the health and well-being of their children. Seven parents testified, and professional advocates who were also there to testify against specific proposals by the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office added technical points to the debate. Mary Ignatius, Parent Voices state organizer, followed up the parents’ stories by urging committee members to look hard at the revenue-generating bills that will soon be heard in policy committees.
Committee members present were: Chair Wilmer Amina Carter, Julia Brownley, Sandré Swanson and Wes Chesbro.
Personal testimony at the budget hearings is key to the HHS Network and CAP’s campaign to prevent cuts in the budget this year. Check the schedule, email the consultant to the committee, and plan to show up – wearing your California Family Recovery Plan stickers! (for more info on how to do this, contact Kim Kruckel at kkruckel@communitychange.org)
