WCLP has released our letter to the Chairs of the two legislative budget committees on the CalWORKs proposals of both Governor Brown and the Legislative Analyst. While the budget from the Governor is a stark improvement over recent proposals, it is still too reliant on cuts to poverty program. Nearly 60 percent of all cuts come from HHS programs even though they receive just 25 of the state General Fund.

On CalWORKs the budget calls for a 25 percent reduction in spending, which is more than other similarly sized state programs. It would eliminate all cash aid for 115,000 families including 235,000 children which have little or no income from work. WCLP calls on the Legislature to reject these and other cuts and to adopt a smaller reduction from CalWORKs than proposed by the Governor. WCLP proposes extending and expanding welfare to work exemptions rather than cut funds from the most needy families.

Here is a link to the Legislative Analyst Office CalWORKs proposals:

http://www.lao.ca.gov/handouts/socservices/2011/CalWORKs_1_24_11.pdf