Many California Families Struggle to Afford a Basic Household Budget, Which Averages Nearly $76,000 a Year for a Family of Four With Two Working Parents

SACRAMENTO — Despite strong economic growth and declining unemployment in California in recent years, many households across the state still face significant challenges in affording basic expenses, according to a new report from the California Budget & Policy Center. At the same time, the report underscores the important role that key public supports play in … Continued

“One in five Californians struggle to get by, a larger share than in any other state. These latest Census poverty figures show that we must do more to give all Californians pathways to economic security. This should involve helping more people in our state to find quality jobs with good wages and also assisting individuals and families to afford the basics.”

CALL FOR MEDIA ONLY: 1:00 P.M., TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 The California Budget & Policy Center will hold a call-in media briefing to discuss the new Census figures on Tuesday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. This briefing will examine what the latest Census figures say about economic well-being in California and discuss ways that the state can better invest in broadening opportunity and promote … Continued

“By expanding the CalEITC to include eligible self-employed workers, while also lifting the income limit for eligibility, state policymakers will help more hard-working Californians to afford the basics and advance economically.”

“The Governor’s revised budget makes some improvements over what he proposed in January, though this year’s budget debate moves forward amid great uncertainty as to potential federal actions.”

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, … Continued

“The creation of Secure Choice represents a turning point in a several-decades-long race to the bottom in retirement security for private-sector workers. The widespread elimination and reduction of pensions and other retirement benefits in the private sector leaves a growing number of California workers, especially younger, low-income, and female workers, facing economic hardship when they reach retirement and increasingly reliant on public assistance to help make ends meet.”

“California must commit to a multifaceted approach to broadening economic opportunity. This would include expanding the state EITC, continuing to increase support for subsidized child care and preschool, ensuring that all eligible families receive CalFresh food assistance, and boosting access to affordable housing.”