Budgets: California Has Choices

 

Here’s what you need to know:

Policymakers have choices. Our elected leaders — both in Washington and Sacramento — can and should protect basic need programs that support the health and well-being of vulnerable Californians, including children, families, and people with disabilities.

In Congress, our state representatives of both parties should reject cuts, including those that are disguised under the names of "work requirements," "cost-shifts," or "reforms." These are still cuts — and they hurt people by taking away their access to food, health care, and other basic needs.

At the state level, California leaders can choose to balance the budget in ways that blunt federal harm and prioritize people. That includes creating a state tax system where everyone pays their fair share at a time when federal leaders are doing the opposite.

We explain more in our recent commentary featured in CalMatters on why California must take bold action to protect people from harmful federal proposals.

California Budget Project.