SACRAMENTO – The California Budget & Policy Center, a nonpartisan public policy research group, issued the following statement from Executive Director Chris Hoene in response to this morning’s release of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed 2017-18 budget:
“The deep uncertainty at the federal level looms large in Governor Brown’s proposed budget. Although the Governor’s proposal assumes that current federal policies, especially the Affordable Care Act, stay in place, this restrained spending plan positions California to respond to potential changes in federal programs and funding, such as for Medi-Cal and CalFresh food assistance, among others.
“Over the next several months, state budget deliberations will take place as the federal policy landscape comes into greater focus. It’s critical not only that California’s Congressional delegation seek to protect the social safety net, but also that our state lawmakers ensure that California continues to reinvest over the long term in education, child care, affordable housing, and other public services that help individuals and families to make ends meet and advance economically. This is especially key at a time when millions of Californians continue to face hardship, even amid our state’s recent period of economic expansion.”
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The California Budget & Policy Center engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low- and middle-income Californians. Support for the the Budget Center comes from foundation grants, subscriptions, and individual contributions.
