Resources

Displaying 1-12 of 577 results found

• Report

  H.R. 1 and the Federal Budget: How California Leaders Can Respond to Trump’s Cuts

  key takeaway H.R. 1, the harmful Republican megabill passed in July 2025, will deeply harm Californians by cutting funding for essential programs like health care, food assistance, and education — while providing massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. The spending cuts will disproportionately impact families with low incomes, immigrants, and communities of color, … Continued
  
  California Budget

  Federal Policy
• Issue Brief

  How Policy Changes Are Affecting Women’s Economic Security in California

  key takeaway Women in California continue to experience higher poverty rates than men, highlighting that despite decades of progress in job opportunities and earnings, women — especially women of color — still face persistent barriers. While recent state and federal budget cuts threaten to worsen these inequities, state policymakers have the tools to ensure all … Continued
  Poverty & Inequality
• Fact Sheet

  State Budget Process and Legislative Process: Key Activities and Deadlines

  The most common way for Californians to shape state funding decisions and policy priorities is through the state budget process and the legislative (or policy bill) process. The deadlines for the state budget process are established in California’s Constitution or in state law and rarely change. In contrast, most of the deadlines for the legislative … Continued
  Budget Academy

  California Budget
• Report

  Guide to the California State Budget Process

  A comprehensive guide to the California state budget process: we provide an overview of the year-round state budget cycle, detail the roles of the key players, and lay out the timeline for state budgeting as well as opportunities for input. Our hope is that this guide makes the state budget process more accessible for policy staff, advocates, and the media, as well as to broaden participation in the budget debate.
  Budget Academy

  California Budget
• Issue Brief

  H.R. 1 Jeopardizes Californians’ Access to Behavioral Health Care and Key State Reforms

  key takeaway California’s behavioral health system depends on Medi-Cal to serve adults and children. Changes under H.R. 1 threaten Medi-Cal’s core funding and eligibility, putting at risk the state’s investments in behavioral health and housing and leaves more Californians without access to needed care. California has made historic progress in transforming its behavioral health system, … Continued
  Health & Safety Net

  Housing & Homelessness
• Glossary

  California State Budget Terms Defined

  What’s the difference between a trailer bill and a policy bill? A surplus and an operating surplus? Special funds and the General Fund? And what exactly is a “Budget Bill Jr.”? Understanding these and other key budget-related terms is critical to navigating the California state budget process and effectively engaging decision-makers in order to advocate … Continued
  Budget Academy

  California Budget
• 5Facts

  The State of Health Coverage in California: Progress, Disparities, and Policy Threats

  key takeaway California has made major strides in expanding health care access, but new federal and state policy threats risk reversing progress. To protect California health coverage disparities and Medi-Cal policy progress, state leaders must act to preserve affordable care and advance health equity. Affordable health care is essential for every Californian to be healthy … Continued
  Health & Safety Net
• Data Hit

  USDA Refusal to Fund November CalFresh Benefits Threatens Food Security for 5.5 Million Californians

  Over 5.5 million Californians depend on CalFresh — California’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — to put food on the table every month. CalFresh provides modest monthly food assistance and, as one of the few means-tested programs that reaches almost all low-income people, is the state’s most important anti-hunger tool. In 2023, … Continued
  CalFresh

  Health & Safety Net
• Fact Sheet

  Preschool-Age Enrollment Trends Across California’s Early Learning Programs

  key takeaway Most of the growth in preschool-age enrollment comes from expanded TK programs, while access for 3-year-olds remains limited due to eligibility and availability constraints. Participation in early childhood education programs supports children’s development and contributes to improved outcomes into adulthood, particularly for children from households with low incomes. Early childhood education programs also … Continued
  Child Care & Preschool
• Topic

  CalWORKs

  The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is the state’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, established in 1997 following the federal program’s creation in 1996. CalWORKs is a monthly cash grant program designed to support children and families with low incomes. CalWORKs aims to address poverty for … Continued
  Health & Safety Net
• Topic

  SSI/SSP

  The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment programs, or SSI/SSP for short, provide income support for eligible individuals in the form of cash assistance. Established in 1974, the programs help older adults with low incomes and people with disabilities pay for housing and other necessities. Who is eligible for SSI/SSP? Eligible Californians are low-income adults who … Continued
  Health & Safety Net
• Topic

  Medi-Cal

  Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides free or low-cost health care to millions of Californians with low incomes. It is designed to provide access to essential health services that support public health and economic stability. Medicaid was established in 1965 as a state-federal partnership to offer coverage to people with low incomes, including children, … Continued
  Health & Safety Net