Financial Security Archives – Western Center on Law & Poverty

Sacramento reopens budget for Sheriff’s slush fund, leaving foster kids behind

July 13, 2026July 16, 2026, By Keely O’Brien, Senior Policy Advocate

On July 14th, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will reopen our county budget. Most people in Sacramento have no idea this is happening.

It’s not because supervisors found new money for hungry kids or families in crisis. It’s because Sheriff Jim Cooper is demanding they restore funding for vacant jobs in his department.

Cooper says the cuts would gut his Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) team and trigger a “public safety crisis”. But internal records tell a different story.

Records show that Cooper is only being required to trim vacant slots, and not a single deputy or detective will lose their job. His own office just reported Sacramento’s lowest homicide count in decades — hardly a sign of a safety crisis.

Sheriff Cooper is also strategically targeting cuts to scare the public and pressure the Board. He is holding units like POP and Homeless Outreach as hostages, moving employees out of these units and into the vacancies he could have simply eliminated.

It’s working. The Board already restored nearly $8 million to Cooper’s office in early hearings. Now he’s back for more.

There’s a reason Sheriff Cooper is fighting so hard for these “vacant positions.” Records show that the county routinely pays the Sheriff’s Office full salaries for unfilled jobs. The Sheriff then uses these taxpayer dollars to cover costs the county never agreed to fund, like payouts for retiring employees—costing about $4.4 million a year on average over the past three years. That’s the slush fund Cooper wants back.

While the manufactured fight over Sheriff Cooper’s slush fund eats up all the attention, a real humanitarian crisis is quietly unfolding in Sacramento.

More than 57,000 people in Sacramento are losing their CalFresh food assistance to federal cuts, including over 6,000 children. Cuts are hitting Sacramento especially hard, because roughly half of the humanitarian immigrants losing federal food assistance in California live in the Sacramento region.

At the same time, families are facing $17 million in county budget cuts to Child, Family, and Adult Services.

The Sacramento County Children’s Coalition— a group the Board itself appointed to advise on children’s needs — has been asking supervisors to reverse the cuts that are most painful for kids in foster care and families in crisis. But so far, the Board has not budged.

Here is what they are asking for:

Birth and Beyond funds work with families to support caregivers and prevent child abuse. Cut: $380,000.
Foster youth transportation keeps kids in foster care at their same school and enables kids to access critical services. At the June budget hearing, foster moms told the board that without support for transportation, they will not be able to keep fostering. That program is gone. Cut: $450,000.
Welcome Home Centers help place children with relatives instead of strangers. Three staff positions were eliminated. Cut: $411,000.
College Readiness Funding to support foster youth in the Independent Living Program. Cut: $110,000.

That’s about $1.3 million — a fraction of what Cooper wants for his slush fund.

How do you look a traumatized child in the eye and explain that they have to move to a group home instead of staying with their loving foster family — because the Sheriff demanded millions more for unfilled jobs? It is unconscionable.

Right now, the Board is willing to consider funneling taxpayer dollars into Sheriff Cooper’s slush fund, but unwilling to consider restoring funding that protects the children in the county’s own care. That’s backwards. It’s wrong. And it’s on all of us to say so.

On July 14th, tell the Board of Supervisors: Fund our kids, not the Sheriff’s slush fund. Restore Birth and Beyond, foster youth transportation, and Welcome Home Centers.

This is our money. Let’s spend it protecting the kids who need us most.

Keely O’Brien
Keely O’Brien is a Senior Policy Advocate at the Western Center on Law & Poverty, where she leads legislative strategy to expand access to food assistance and public benefits for low-income Californians. She has spent more than a decade shaping public policy in and around the State Capitol, previously serving as Legislative Director for Assemblymember Mark Stone and advising Assemblymembers David Chiu and Jacqui Irwin. She holds a degree in Sociology and Political Science from UC Berkeley.

Coalition Letter to U.S. Senate and House Committees Urging Advancement of the 10 Percent Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Act of 2025

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

A historic and diverse coalition of civil rights, labor unions, veterans, consumer protection, and borrower advocates sent an urgent letter to leaders on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Financial Services Committee calling on them to advance S. 381/H.R. 1944, the 10 Percent Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Act of 2025. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation—led by Senators Sanders and Hawley and Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and Luna—would cap credit card interest rates at 10 percent for five years.

The proposal is estimated to save working families $100 billion every year and provide interest savings of $899 per person on average annually. The letter, which includes more than 55 national and state organizations, including the AFT, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), NAACP, Hispanic Federation, Minority Veterans of America, and Consumer Federation of America can be found below.

Read the Letter: Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Coalition Letter

Read the Press Release

Analysis Of Governor Newsom’s 2025-2026 January Budget Proposal

January 10, 2025January 10, 2025

On January 10, Governor Newsom released his proposal for the 2025-26 California state budget. The Governor’s $322 billion state spending plan estimates a surplus of $363 million and nearly $17 billion more in revenue than previously estimated and in contrast to the Legislative Analyst’s Office estimate last November of $7 billion. Despite a slight surplus and higher than expected revenues, the proposal continues to withdraw $7.1 billion in reserves.

We appreciate that the proposal honors past Medi-Cal commitments, including expansion for all regardless of immigration status and eligibility protections through June, as well as modest CalWORKs investment through pilot and a small but measurable increase in CalWORKs grant amounts.

Our hearts go out to all who are impacted by the wildfires. Unfortunately, we recognize the devastation caused by the wildfires and the uncertainty of federal funding with a new administration are most deeply felt by those without the resources to withstand the potential loss. Therefore, we urge investment and protection in the greater safety net, rather than tax credits to wealthy industries.

We look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor to leverage the pilots to Reimagine CalWORKs into a family-centered, trauma-informed program, and to protect and increase access to Medi-Cal.

Below is our brief analysis of the 2025-2026 proposed budget by issue area.

HEALTH CARE

We appreciate the Governor’s proposed budget as it maintains ongoing health care spending commitments for Medi-Cal, including no proposed changes to Health4All eligibility and benefits and continuing unwinding flexibilities through June 30, 2025. We urge continued and more comprehensive Medi-Cal investments, including:

Protecting Medi-Cal coverage gains through permanent extension of unwinding flexibilities
Implementation of Medi-Cal Share of Cost Reform so that seniors and people with disabilities can afford to access needed Medi-Cal services
Making housing support a Medi-Cal benefit

Medi-Cal unwinding flexibilities that maintain Medi-Cal coverage: The Governor’s budget continues unwinding flexibilities through June 30, 2025 to maintain the improvements to the Medi-Cal redetermination process and protect lifesaving health care coverage. We urge the Legislature and Governor to permanently extend and continue funding for unwinding flexibilities which according to the Department’s estimate is expected to increase Medi-Cal coverage for nearly half a million people (450,000 people for increased costs of approximately $3 billion ($1.1 billion General Fund) in 2024-25 compared to the 2024 Budget Act).

MCO Tax and Prop 35 passage: With the passage of Prop 35, the investments linked to its failure, including Multi-Year Continuous Eligibility for Children Up to Age 5 and other provider rate increases, are not in the Governor’s budget proposal but continue to be a priority for advocates. Medi-Cal spending on provider rate increases will be subject to change based on the Department’s consultation with a stakeholder advisory committee as required by Prop 35.

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

California has long supported programs that prevent homelessness, create new affordable housing, and preserve existing affordable homes. These efforts have been vital to help many low-income families and individuals across the state. Unfortunately, the Governor’s proposed budget shifts focus away from these essential programs and instead prioritizes streamlining market-rate housing and increasing funding for encampment sweeps targeting people experiencing homelessness.

We cannot ignore the urgent housing crisis facing our state. Nearly a quarter of all unhoused Americans live in California. And the numbers are rising. The state’s unhoused population increased by 3% over the past year, with more than 187,000 people now living on the streets or in shelters.

To make housing affordable for everyone, California needs to build 100,000 affordable homes each year for the next decade. Currently, we’re only achieving about 20% of that goal. Meanwhile, homelessness continues to rise. Recent fires in the Los Angeles area alone destroyed thousands of homes, pushing even more Californians into homelessness. During this time of crisis, California must demonstrate its commitment to housing by investing in affordable housing production and preservation. Instead of funding sweeps that displace unhoused individuals without addressing the root causes of homelessness, the Governor should prioritize solutions that provide housing and supportive services.

California Housing and Homelessness Agency: The Governor proposes creating a new California Housing and Homelessness Agency to centralize and streamline the administration of state housing and homelessness programs. While better coordination could be helpful, it’s unclear how this agency will impact funding for affordable housing and services.

Streamlining Housing: The budget proposal increases funding to streamline housing production, particularly near public transit. While this sounds promising, streamlining could come at a cost. For example, it might mean rolling back environmental protections under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or reducing affordability requirements for new developments. It’s also unclear how the proposal will hold local jurisdictions accountable for meeting their housing goals.

Encampment Sweeps: The budget proposal includes $100 million for encampment sweeps. These sweeps often displace unhoused individuals without providing long-term housing or services, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness rather than solving it.

Reentry: The budget proposes $12.9 million one-time General Fund allocation in 2025-26 and 2026-27 to continue the Returning Home Well (RHW) Program, originally funded in the 2022 Budget Act, for an additional two years. These funds will also enable the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide important wraparound services to RHW participants. This program, initiated during the COVID-19 Pandemic, provides transitional housing to individuals who would otherwise be at risk of being unhoused at the time of their release. This is important as system involvement is an on-ramp to houselessness.

PUBLIC BENEFITS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Public Benefits: The Governor’s budget proposal does not propose cuts to public benefits program which is a departure from the 2024-25 proposed budget. The only major initiative is a 3-month supply of diapers at no cost to families for newborns with no income limitations. For this program, up to $7.4 million in General Fund dollars will be allocated in 2025-26 and up to $12.5 million General Fund in the next budget year.

While we appreciate core programs are protected in the proposal, when the strong revenue performance is considered, this budget proposal largely excludes low-income and working-class Californians from the economic prosperity that the wealthy in our state are experiencing. California has a long way to go to reduce the staggering levels of inequality that have allowed the top 1% to hoard resources, while an economic underclass is left unable to meet a minimum standard of living, and unable to benefit from the fruits of their hard labor.

California’s inequality is so dramatic, that in 2021 researchers found that the life expectancy of the residents in the state’s poorest 1% of census tracts was 15 and a half years shorter than the highest income percentiles, with disproportionate impacts for racial and ethnic minorities. Poverty is painful, traumatizing, and deadly, and unfortunately this budget does not do enough to address California’s staggering rates of poverty and hunger.

Reimagining CalWORKs, protecting core programs and providing a short-term supply of free diapers to families is important and impactful progress, but California families are struggling to meet their basic needs and need a much larger boost to meet a minimum standard of living.

If our state budget does not proactively work to reduce inequality, it will continue to grow exponentially, and the most vulnerable people will suffer. As the Legislature and the Governor negotiate the budget over the coming months, we hope to see low-income and working-class families benefit from the economic prosperity that they have created with their labor.

CalWORKs: The proposed budget includes an estimated 0.2 percent increase to the CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment at a cost of $9.1 million beginning October 1, 2025. This equates to about $2 a month for a family of three. This small increase is needed considering the rising cost of living but it does not come close to a true cost of living adjustment for families in need.

To put this increase in context, the budget proposal spends over ten times the amount proposed for this increase ($9.1 million) to displace people in dire poverty by sweeping homeless encampments ($100 million).

Reimagine CalWORKs: Since California has been chosen to be one of five pilot states to test alternative measures to facilitate employment and well-being, the administration will “continue to assess further opportunities to advance the vision of the pilot.”

Western Center and our partners will continue to work with the administration to build on the Department’s pilot proposal and reimagine the current compliance-focus program to one that empowers parents that best supports family well-being and achieve meaningful employment.

Access to Justice: The budget proposal includes increased funding for trial court operations and significant increases in law enforcement funding with a particular focus on retail theft, and investments in new prison construction.

Proposition 36, which rolled back hard-fought, crucial criminal justice reforms, is expected to increase the prison population by .9 percent. Prop 36 will also expand the parole population. We anticipate that Prop 36 will continue to exacerbate problems of over-policing and over-incarceration among impoverished communities and communities of color.

Not included in this budget is $25 million legislators plan to appropriate through the Special Session to provide legal support for the immigrant communities who have been threatened with deportation by the incoming Federal administration. We are grateful that the Legislature is working to protect immigrants. As the budget continues to be negotiated, our immigrant communities will rely on the State to continue to be responsive to the rising needs.

For questions, contact:

General: Brandon Greene, Director of Policy Advocacy
Linda Nguy, Associate Director of Policy Advocacy

Health: Whitney Francis, Policy Advocate
Linda Nguy, Associate Director of Policy Advocacy
Sandra Poole, Policy Advocate

Housing and Homelessness: Benjamin Henderson, Policy Advocate
Tina Rosales-Torres, Policy Advocate

Public Benefits/ Access to Justice:  Rebecca Gonzales, Policy Advocate
Keely O’Brien, Policy Advocate
Brandon Greene, Director of Policy Advocacy

2024 Legislative Wrap-Up

October 3, 2024October 15, 2024, By WCLP Policy Team

Western Center has achieved significant milestones this year toward our mission of creating a more just California in which everyone thrives. We are proud to announce that Governor Newsom has signed nine of our sponsored and co-sponsored bills, representing wins for health equity, tenant rights, and anti-discrimination. These measures are set to take effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Among the highlights were bills to protect consumers from medical debt (AB 2297) and mandated training to enforce the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (AB 2319). We also passed bills to ensure oversight and accountability for federal housing choice vouchers, establish rent anti-price gouging protections, and protect tenants’ due process rights in an eviction action. Other wins include preventing hair discrimination for youth participating in sports outside of school.

Our work on reparations remains a priority. While we are disappointed that SB 1403 was not taken up for a vote and SB 1050 was vetoed, we recognize that the work of reparations is part of the generational struggle for reparations. We are committed to working with our partners in ensuring that the visionary work of the Reparations Task Force becomes a reality. In the coming legislative session we will remain engaged and steadfast in pushing California to be a state that is fair and equitable to all; this means closing the racial and economic gaps that persist. Below is a list of WCLP co-sponsored bills and other bills of note that were signed by the Governor.

HEALTH

Our efforts to protect low-income Californians focused on advancing health equity across a spectrum of areas where systemic weaknesses compromised patient health and financial stability. Our work during this legislative session included protecting communities near airports from the long-term, harmful effects of leaded emissions from aviation fuel, as well as implicit bias training to reduce maternal mortality, particularly among Black birthing people and other people of color, most of whom experienced discrimination or bias in treatment. We also had two important consumer protection and advocacy bills, one of which creates stronger patient protections against medical debt and the other which builds more transparency and accountability into the Medi-Cal system by requiring counties to report on their call center data.

AB 2297 (Friedman): Medical Debt Protection

Medical debt is a significant driver of bankruptcy, poverty, and racial inequities, disproportionately impacting Black, Latine, and low-income Californians. AB 2297 prohibits the use of home liens to collect unpaid medical bills from eligible patients, clarifies hospitals must review financial assistance eligibility at any time, eliminates asset consideration from financial assistance determinations, defines charity care as free care, and other changes. No one should be at risk of housing instability and financial ruin for simply seeking medical care.

AB 2319 (Wilson, Weber): Strengthening the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act

In California, people of color, particularly Black Women, continue to die at three to four times the rate of White women. Evidence suggests one key cause of this disparity is the implicit bias of healthcare providers which is why we co-sponsored the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act of 2019 that mandated anti-bias training for all health professionals who provide perinatal care. To address non-compliance with the Act, we co-sponsored AB 2319 which establishes an enforcement mechanism, administrative penalties for noncompliance, and requires compliance data to be posted online. These measures will strengthen efforts to eliminate the disparate maternal mortality rate often rooted in institutional racism.

SB 1193 (Menjivar): Ending Leaded Aviation Fuel Usage

Lead emissions from aircraft are harmful to the health of California communities, particularly children and generations of families living near airports. SB 1193 ends the sale of harmful leaded airplane fuel at airports in California beginning on January 1, 2031, making California the first state in the nation to put an end date on the sale of leaded aviation fuel, leading the way for other states to follow suit.

SB 1289 (Roth): County Call Center Oversight and Reporting

Despite state law guaranteeing the right to apply or renew for Medi-Cal by phone, Californians report barriers to reaching their county eligibility workers by phone. SB 1289 provides greater transparency and accountability by requiring counties that operate call centers for their Medi-Cal program to report data on call wait times and requires the Department to produce a quarterly report on county data. This is an important step towards ensuring that people on Medi-Cal can receive adequate and timely access to county call center assistance, which can mean the difference between remaining on Medi-Cal and being denied coverage.

HOUSING

Western Center’s work to ensure housing equity this session was successful in protecting tenant rights and improving access to affordable housing. In this area, we co-sponsored bills to expand options for Housing Voucher use and to prevent rent-hike gouging. Other legislation included expanding response times in evictions from five to ten days, and ensuring access to case records in mobile home eviction cases. Our successful legislative work in this area supports our mission to transform systemic inequities, particularly in housing where 31% of Californians are living in poverty, and nearly 186,000 people are homeless.

AB 653 (Reyes): Increasing Voucher Utilization

Ensures that households who receive a federal housing voucher can live where they want at an affordable price by increasing transparency, accountability, and improve the public housing authorities’ administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. This first of its kind bill prevents households from falling into homelessness by increasing voucher utilization.

AB 846 (Bonta): Low-income Housing Tax Credit

Prevents rental price gouging for low-income tenants in existing Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units. The LIHTC program is a critical source of affordable housing for low-income households. Due to a lack of federal and state regulations, households are often subjected to rental increases above the state maximum, making housing unaffordable. AB 846 requires that the California Tax Allocation Committee establish anti-rental price gouging measures for households in existing LIHTC units by June 30, 2025.

AB 2304 (Lee): Masking Limited Civil Unlawful Detainer Cases

An eviction proceeding on a household’s consumer credit record has damaging effects on their ability to secure safe, stable, affordable housing. California has long protected the privacy of tenants’ in eviction proceedings by keeping these cases confidential. However, those laws excluded mobile home residents, leaving these residents vulnerable to having this harmful information on their record before they even had a chance to fight their case. AB 2304 protects tenants in mobile homes from being blacklisted by masking these eviction cases.

AB 2347 (Kalra): Protecting Tenant Due Process Rights

Last year, there were more than 140,000 eviction cases filed, affecting half a million renters. Of those cases filed, about 40% resulted in a default because the tenant could not respond within the required five days. The right to defend oneself is a fundamental civil right, but that right cannot be exercised when a tenant has only 5 days to respond – a significantly lower time than other civil matters. AB 2347 protects tenants’ civil rights by doubling the time to respond to an eviction from 5 to 10 court days.

PUBLIC BENEFITS & ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Our fight for equity this year included making sure that all Californians can live, work, and play freely from discrimination by strengthening the CROWN Act of 2019 as part of a larger effort to address issues around reparations and civil rights.

Unfortunately, some of our other co-sponsored bills to expand access to CalWORKs and CalFresh by not counting as income any grant, loans, or scholarships a CalWORKs or CalFresh student may receive (AB 274), and ensuring homeless residents can pick up and receive government-related mail at a place designated by the county (SB 1107) were vetoed.

AB 1815 (Weber): Discrimination: Hairstyles: Amateur Sports Organizations

Expanding on the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workspace for Natural Hair) of 2019, AB 1815 will provide for broader protections against hair discrimination for those employed by nonprofits and ensure that athletes participating in amateur or youth sports are protected from discrimination. The bill further expands on the definition of “race” to be inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, closing a critical gap in the fight for racial equity in all aspects of life. This bill was part of the reparations package of bills from the Legislative Black Caucus.

WHAT’S NEXT? A LOOK AHEAD FOR 2025

Our work is ongoing and we will continue to push forward legislation and policy, with a particular focus on reparations and the spectrum of bills we support that were sidelined. A core part of our strategy is deepening our collaborative partnerships to strengthen our legislative and administrative advocacy.

Continuing the fight for reparations, building off of the work done by the CA Reparations Task Force and laying the groundwork for the future.
Proactively preparing for issues around the 2025 election and the incoming policy changes on the horizon.
Continuing our birthing justice work through reducing barriers to birthing center licensure to increase options for maternity care statewide, particularly in rural areas where there are limited labor and delivery options.
Reforming the Medi-Cal Share of Cost program so that seniors and persons with disabilities are not expected to live off of $600 a month to access Medi-Cal services.
Advocating for significant overhaul of houselessness policies and exploring options for cities to better meet housing needs for all Californians, housed and unhoused.
Reimagining CalWORKs so that is a family-centered, trauma-informed program that builds real pathways out of poverty.
Expanding our work to ensure that racial justice and intersectional approaches are centered.

To support our work or to discuss our advocacy priorities further, please contact our staff below.

Contact our Sacramento Advocates:

Brandon Greene, Director of Policy Advocacy
[email protected]
916-282-5112

Health

Linda Nguy – [email protected]
916-282-5117

Sandra O. Poole – [email protected]
916-282-5141

Whitney Francis – [email protected]
916-282-5106

Housing

Tina Rosales-Torres – [email protected]
916-282-5118

Public Benefits & Access to Justice

Rebecca Gonzales – [email protected]
916-282-5119

Keely O’Brien – [email protected]
916-282-5104

Bill Co-Sponsored by Western Center on Law & Poverty and Bet Tzedek Legal Services Signed into Law to End Harmful Medical Debt Collection Practices in California

September 30, 2024December 9, 2024

Law Protects Over 10 Million Californians Burdened by Hospital Debt and Expands Financial Assistance for Low- and Moderate-Income Patients

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – With medical debt weighing so heavily on the lives of millions of Californians, health care justice advocates today applauded a new law signed by Governor Newsom that will transform medical debt collection practices that have disproportionately affected communities of color throughout the state.

Authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, AB2297 (Hospital and Emergency Physician Fair Pricing Policies) requires hospitals to make changes to their finance and billing policies to ensure that patient financial assistance complies with Medicare rules, and that undue burdens are not placed upon patients. This will prevent Californians from falling into further debt or losing their homes, cars, or businesses to ensure their health.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside Western Center on Law & Poverty and Bet Tzedek to protect vulnerable patients from devastating medical debt,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), the author of AB 2297. “No one should be at risk of housing instability and financial ruin for simply seeking medical care. With Governor Newsom’s signature on AB 2297, California continues to lead the way in protecting patients.”

Co-Sponsored by Western Center on Law & Poverty and Bet Tzedek Legal Services, the new law modernizes California’s Hospital Fair Pricing Act, updating eligibility criteria for hospital financial assistance to better serve low- and moderate-income patients.

“No one should be forced to choose between their health and their financial security,” said Western Center Associate Director of Policy Advocacy Linda Nguy. “By prohibiting hospital and collection agencies from the use of home liens in the collection of unpaid hospital bills from financially qualified patients we’re protecting property rights. In addition, AB 2297 eliminates asset consideration in financial assistance determinations, which protects Californians’ savings from being depleted when seeking care and preventing poverty. We applaud Assemblymember Friedman’s leadership and our co-sponsor Bet Tzedek Legal Services for their commitment to financial justice.”

“Despite qualifying for aid, many patients still face large bills due to complicated hospital practices” stated Bet Tzedek Attorney Emily Chong. “The new law aligns hospital financial assistance with Medi-Cal’s updated eligibility rules, which no longer consider assets. The bill simplifies the application process and protects patient savings, such as retirement accounts, from being used to qualify for financial assistance. It also mandates all hospitals offer a minimum level of free care to very low-income patients, further supporting efforts to reduce poverty and ensure equitable access to healthcare.”

“By protecting patient rights and financial security, this impactful legislation will increase transparency and improve financial assistance and billing practices throughout the healthcare system,” Chong noted.

About WCLP

Through the lens of economic and racial justice, Western Center on Law & Poverty litigates, educates, and advocates in courts, cities, counties, the State Capitol, and the public arena to secure just housing, health care, economy, and equitable legal systems for Californians with low incomes. Founded in 1967 and driven by the belief that low-income Californians deserve the finest possible legal representation before every institution that shapes their lives, Western Center seeks to eliminate poverty and advance racial and economic justice by dismantling and transforming systems so all communities in California can thrive.

About Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Founded 50 years ago, Bet Tzedek is a community organization that provides justice, stability, and hope to those experiencing discrimination, disparities, and exploitation. Based on the central tenet of Jewish law “tzedek, tzedek, tirdof” — ”justice, justice you shall pursue,” Bet Tzedek provides legal advocacy grounded in the lived experiences of the communities we serve, regardless of race, religion, gender expression, immigration status or sexual orientation. Through our network of attorneys and advocates, we provide free comprehensive legal services, education, and policy advocacy to low-income individuals and families across Los Angeles County. Since 1974, we have touched the lives of over one million Californians.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Maria Sundeen, Western Center on Law & Poverty, [email protected], (323) 333-5439

Belinda Cai, Bet Tzedek, [email protected], (323) 549-5892

Summer EBT Launches to Help Low-Income Qualifying California Families with Food for Children

July 1, 2024July 1, 2024, By Abe Zavala-Rodriguez

Each day, more than 30 million children participate in the USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs, but what happens when school is out?

Child hunger over the summer is a major source of food insecurity for many families in California. This year the California Department of Social Services is rolling out a new program to provide relief for families. The SUN Bucks program gives $120 for groceries for each eligible school aged child in the home.

Sun Bucks works like CalFresh in California. Best known in California as Summer EBT (S-EBT), families can purchase food at most grocery stories, and online on Amazon and Walmart. S-EBT must be used within 122 days or the benefits expire.

For those automatically enrolled, S-EBT cards were mailed out mid-June 2024 for school children with last names A-D. For students with last names beginning with E-L cards will be mailed out in July 2024, and concludes with M-Z last named households receiving theirs in August 2024.

For families not automatically enrolled or unsure of enrollment status, they can check with their school to complete a school meal application or fill out an Alternative Income Form before August 31, 2024, to qualify. This program will continue into 2025.

Sun Bucks were developed to complement ongoing Sun Meals, which have been an ongoing food program at certain schools, parks, and other community centers. The Sun Meals in-person program has helped families since 1968. Meals are often paired with summer enrichment activities to keep kids active in the summer. Sun Meals To-Go programs were launched in 2023 in rural or remote areas where in-person programs are unavailable.

With 14 Republican states declining to fund similar programs, California is taking a strong step forward in addressing the nutritional health needs of vulnerable populations.

No child this summer should go without access to nutritious meals!

Visit http://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks

Child Support Belongs to Children

May 31, 2024, By Rebecca Miller, Senior Attorney

California is transforming its child support system to direct more money to the children for whom the support payments are intended. This critical reform may seem like common sense, but only a few states have adopted a similar policy. For decades, federal law has required custodial parents who receive public benefits to assign their child support payments to the government as reimbursement for the cost of those benefits. As a result, when a noncustodial parent makes a child support payment, some of that payment could be intercepted and kept by the government.

In May, California took the first step to undo this harmful and misguided policy. The state will no longer intercept child support payments intended for families who formerly received CalWORKs. This change means an estimated $160 million per year will go to families and children.. The state’s action is in response to years of advocacy, including ongoing efforts of the Western Center on Law & Poverty and its partners in the Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition. You can learn more about the Coalition here and read the Coalition’s statement on this important policy victory.

Yetmore work to be done. California continues to intercept approximately $150 million each year from low-income families who currently receive CalWORKs, and this policy has resulted in over $6 billion dollars of government-owed child support that causes incalculable financial and social harm.

The interception of child support payments stems from racist and sexist stereotypes about black families and those who must turn to public assistance. California cannot close the racial wealth gap and end child poverty until it reforms the child support program. The Coalition’s letters to Legislative Budget Leaders asking them to continue to reform state child support policies to better support low-income children and their families can be found here.

Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition Celebrates Full Passthrough of Child Support to Former CalWORKs Families

May 20, 2024May 21, 2024, By Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition,

Beginning this month, California will pass through 100% of child support payments to families who formerly received CalWORKs benefits, putting $160 million back in the pockets of low-income families.

(Sacramento, CA – May 14, 2024)

This month, California stopped intercepting child support payments intended for families who formerly received CalWORKs benefits. As a result, an estimated $160 million per year will go to families and children, instead of being kept by the government to reimburse itself for providing public benefits to custodial parents in the past. With this policy change, California becomes a national leader, joining a small handful of states that have taken similar actions to end the practice of seizing child support payments from low-income children and families. The state’s action is in response to years of advocacy from the Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition and others.

The Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition applauds this policy win, but there is still much more work to do. The state continues to intercept approximately $150 million each year from low-income families that currently receive CalWORKs rather than sending the money directly to parents and children who need it. Additionally, struggling families are saddled with $6.4 billion in debt to the government for past-due child support while their families are receiving public benefits and accruing a 10% interest rate, which is one of the highest rates in the country.

We ask the Legislature and Governor to keep up the momentum and continue to position California’s child support program as a truly family-centered, poverty-alleviation program. Specifically, we ask that they:

1. Plan for the 100% passthrough of child support to families currently receiving CalWORKs;

2. Provide debt relief for old and uncollectible child support debt owed by low-income parents to the State for past due child support while their families were receiving public benefits; and

3. Eliminate the egregious 10% interest rate on government-owed child support debt.

These child support issues are racial and economic justice issues; passing these policy priorities can help get families out of debt and towards economic security with relatively little cost to the state in a difficult budget year.

Moreover, the California Reparations Task Force recommends the elimination of interest on past-due child support and recommends eliminating child support debt to address the harms created by the government’s pathologizing of Black families. We urge the legislature and the Governor to make amends by supporting families that need it most.

The Truth and Justice in Child Support Coalition is a statewide coalition of organizations that seeks to change state policy on child support pass-through, payments, and collections to better support low income children and their families and reduce child poverty in California. Contact us at [email protected] for additional information.

Newsom’s proposed spending cuts spur backlash from affected California groups

May 17, 2024, By Dan Walters, CalMatters,

Just minutes after Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a revised state budget with billions of dollars in spending reductions on Friday, advocates for affected programs began showering reporters with statements of dismay.

The gist of the complaints was that after Newsom and the Legislature had devoted attention and money to expanded health care coverage, prekindergarten education, income supports for the poor, undocumented immigrant assistance, homelessness, climate change and a myriad other left-of-center causes, the new budget would punish their recipients.

Building the California Dream Alliance, a consortium of nearly 60 groups, was among those disappointed with Newsom’s budget, issuing a compendium of comments from its members, including the Western Center on Law and Poverty.

“Although we appreciate the governor maintaining previous expansions and grants, his approach balances the budget on the backs of low-income Californians through over $3 billion in cuts,” Linda Nguy, an associate director of the organization, said. “Instead of considering additional revenue solutions, the governor proposes to cut in-home supportive services for people who were previously excluded from Medi-Cal due to their immigration status, deeper CalWORKs cuts, and continued cuts to housing and homelessness prevention programs.”

Analysis Of Governor Newsom’s May Revision of California’s 2024-2025 Budget

May 10, 2024May 10, 2024, By WCLP Policy Team

May 10, 2024

The Governor released his May Revision on May 10, estimating that the budget shortfall for the 2024-25 fiscal year grew by approximately $7 billion from the January Proposal to approximately $44.9 billion. This differs from the Legislative Analyst’s Office earlier estimate of $73 billion, with differences attributed to higher revenue projections and different Proposition 98 calculations. After accounting for the early action budget package that included $17.3 billion of solutions, the remaining budget problem is approximately $27.6 billion.

Western Center on Law and Poverty appreciates that the Governor maintains some of the previous expansions and grants proposed in the January budget. However, we oppose the Governor’s approach to address the current budget shortfall through cuts to critical safety net programs. This approach balances the budget on the backs of low-income Californians through over $3 billion in cuts. Instead of considering additional revenue solutions, the Governor proposes to cut In-Home Supportive Services for people who were previously excluded from Medi-Cal due to their immigration status, deeper CalWORKs cuts, and continued housing cuts. We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature on a final budget that reflects our values and protects vulnerable Californians.

HEALTH CARE

Cuts In-Home Supportive Services for Undocumented Individuals — Despite historic investments in Medi-Cal expansions, the May Revision proposes treating people who were previously excluded due to their immigration status differently. Specifically, the May Revision cut IHSS services for those who were previously excluded at a reduction of $94.7 million. IHSS allows seniors and people with disabilities to safely stay in their home.

Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax — Sweeps $6.7 billion over multiple years from the Medi-Cal provider rate increases, Medi-Cal workforce funding, and equity payments planned for January 2025 and proposes amendment to include Medicare health plan revenue resulting in an additional $9.7 billion in total MCO Tax funds over multiple years. The related November ballot initiative raises uncertainty. If the measure passes, billions of dollars could be diverted, resulting in budget deficit that may result in future cuts to safety net programs.

Cuts Acupuncture as Medi-Cal Benefit — Eliminates acupuncture as a Medi-Cal benefit starting January 2025 at reduction of $5.4 million this budget year and $13 million ongoing.

Healthcare Workforce Reduction— Eliminates about $900 million various healthcare workforce initiatives including community health workers, nursing, social work, Song-Brown residencies, Health Professions Career Opportunity Program, and California Medicine Scholars Program as well as eliminates $189.4 million Mental Health Services Fund for programs proposed to be delayed to 2025-26 at Governor’s Budget.

Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Reduction— Reduces $72.3 million onetime in 2023-24, $348.6 million in 2024-25, and $5 million in 2025-26 for school-linked health partnerships and grants, behavioral health services and supports platform, public education campaign, and youth suicide reporting and crisis response pilot.

Eliminates Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program and Reduces Bridge Housing Program— Eliminates $450.7 million from the last round of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program and reduces funding for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program.

Eliminates Public Health Funding—Eliminates $52.5 million in 2023-24 and $300 million ongoing for state and local public health.

2022 Health Trigger Investments not Included: • Share of Cost Reform so that seniors and people with disabilities can afford to access needed Medi-Cal services • Continuous Medi-Cal Coverage for Children Aged 0 through 4.

HOUSING

One of the highest priorities for California lawmakers and residents is the housing and homelessness crisis, which requires more investment in affordable housing and homelessness prevention programs. We are concerned about the proposed cuts to these crucial programs, especially as Californians are grappling with housing insecurity and the continued legal attacks on our unhoused neighbors.

The May Revision proposes a total $1.76 billion in continued cuts to the following program (with additional cuts to January Proposal noted):

• Adaptive Reuse Program – additional $127.5 million cut

• Foreclosure Intervention Housing Preservation Program – additional $236.5 million cut

• Multifamily Housing Program – additional $75 million cut

• Infill Infrastructure Grant Program – additional $35 million cut

• Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) – additional $260 million cut

• Veteran Housing and Homeless Prevention Program – additional $26.3 million cut

The May Revision will include funding of $500 million to the state LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) program.

PUBLIC BENEFITS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE CalWORKs

While the May Revision does not propose to cut CalWORKs grants, the proposal continues the deep cuts proposed in January, including:

• The elimination of the Family Stabilization Program (FSP), which provides housing assistance, mental health, substance use and domestic violence services. This is a core program within CalWORKs that keeps people housed, safe, and well.

• The elimination of the Subsidized Employment Program, which provides additional job opportunities to participants to provide job experience and a path to unsubsidized employment.

• The draining of the safety net reserve, which was created to protect human services programs against cuts. The use of these funds results in a double cut to the CalWORKs program.

Additional cuts to CalWORKs include:

• The reduction of $47.1 million for the CalWORKs home visiting program ongoing, which is a cut of 45%. This highly effective program, which pairs professionals with new parents, prepares families for new infant household members and provides early supports to ensure a successful transition to new and increased parenting responsibilities. This cut could result in new referrals to child welfare services.

• The permanent elimination of the CalWORKs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services program which is a cut of $126.6 million. These are critical services that stabilize a family and can also prevent referrals to child welfare services.

SSI/SSP

The Governor’s proposed budget did not propose a cut to SSI/SSP grants, but additional investments are still needed for this program which provides grants to seniors and people living with disabilities. The grant for individuals is currently 94% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). We hope to work with the administration in future budget years to strengthen these programs to bring the individual grant to at least 100% of the poverty line and to reinstate the annual cost of living increase. We would also request a revival of the special circumstances program to assist SSI recipients with unexpected expenses.

Child Support

Despite 2022 budget trigger language, the May Revision did not include a provision to fund full pass-through of child support payments to currently assisted CalWORKs families. Based upon current revenue, this trigger was not pulled and there is a need to renew this language in the 2024-25 budget.

Child Care Slots

The May Revision pauses the promised expansion of child care slots and keeps them at the current level. By pausing this expansion, the state will reduce support for California’s working families by $489 million in 2024-25 and $951 million in 2025-26.

In-Home Supportive Services for Undocumented Individuals

As previously mentioned, the May Revision cut IHSS services for people who were previously excluded from Medi-Cal due to their immigration status at a reduction of $94.7 million. IHSS allows seniors and people with disabilities to safely stay in their home.

California Food Assistance Program Expansion

• The May Revision delays the promised expansion of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for two years, pushing benefits back to the 2027-28 budget year. CFAP is the state-funded CalFresh counterpart that serves some immigrants who are excluded from CalFresh due to their immigration status.

• This delay prevents California from fulfilling the promise to expand food benefits to undocumented older adults, therefore perpetuating poverty, food insecurity, and again inflicting harm specifically on California’s low-income immigrant communities.

Download the full analysis here: WCLP Analysis of 2024-25 May Revision

Category: Financial Security