Nishi Nair (she/her/hers)
Policy Analyst
Nishi, Policy Analyst, conducts research on public policies related to economic security and the people served by various safety net programs. Her current work focuses on cash assistance programs, including state and federal tax credits, as well as on programs serving older adults and Californians with disabilities. Nishi’s research aims to identify how public programs can better serve communities and proposes solutions to strengthen them.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2024, Nishi received bachelor’s degrees in sociology and economics from the University of California, Davis with a focus on social work and public policy. During her time there, she also completed an Honors Research Thesis where she analyzed the budgetary shifts in the supplemental income program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Nishi is a proud Bay Area native, growing up in the East Bay and enjoys trying to find the best hikes, thrift stores, and hot yoga studios in the area! She also values time spent with her friends and family, and is always looking for ways to find community.
meet the expert: nishi nair
Read more about Nishi's story and the work she's doing at the Budget Center in our Q&A.
Recent posts by Nishi Nair
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Fact Sheet
Is California a Donor State? Here’s How Much It Pays to the Feds vs. What It Gets Back
Californians typically pay more in federal taxes than the state receives in federal spending each year, making California a “donor state.”1All years in this fact sheet represent federal fiscal years (FFYs), which begin every October 1 and end the following September 30. The data presented in this fact sheet differs from the data included in …California BudgetFederal Policy -
Fact Sheet
Federal Funds Drive One-Third of California’s State Budget
Federal dollars support a wide array of public services and systems that touch the lives of all Californians — from health care and food assistance to child care and public schools. Some of these services face unprecedented cuts under the Republican-passed budget bill that President Trump signed in July. These federal reductions target vital services …Federal Policy -
Report
Understanding Realignment: California’s Shifts in State and County Responsibilities
Overview of This Report Every year, California’s 58 counties — under state oversight — deliver essential public services that support Californians’ well-being, keep communities healthy and safe, and protect vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. These programs are funded with a broad range of revenues, including federal dollars, local county taxes, …Budget AcademyCalifornia Budget -
Issue Brief
Human Impact: Federal Proposals Would Cause Widespread Harm
key takeaway Federal budget proposals threaten to cut funding for essential programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, trading away Californians’ health care and food security to fund massive tax breaks for the wealthy — with devastating consequences for millions of families across the state. All Californians deserve access to resources that allow them the opportunity to …Federal PolicyHealthSafety Net -
Report
Equity on the Line: The Dangerous Cost of Cutting Support for Black Women
key takeaway Black women have helped propel California into becoming the fourth-largest economy in the world, yet Congressional proposals to cut essential programs like health coverage and nutrition assistance would disproportionately harm them. These cuts compound the systemic racism, economic inequality, and generational trauma Black women in California already face. Access to affordable health care, …Federal PolicyPoverty & Inequality
