News from the Women's Policy Institute
What's on the May 19th ballot?
On May 19th, Californians will vote in a Special Election on five ballot measures related to the state budget. These proposals are the result of long budget negotiations in the California legislature to resolve a $46 billion budget shortfall that was projected in January 2009 through July 2010.
The Women’s Foundation of California is not taking positions on these ballot measures. However, we do think they are very important to the future of our state. Some of the measures are extremely complex, and we encourage you to read more about all of them from the California Budget Project at http://www.cbp.org/publications/ballot_prop_land.html.
This is a brief overview of what each ballot measure would do:
Proposition 1A
Proposition 1B
Proposition 1C
Proposition 1D
Proposition 1E
Proposition 1A, regarding the state’s budget reserve fund
Prop 1A is by far the most complex of all the measures on the ballot. In the simplest terms, Prop 1A does three things:
- Requires the state to make significant annual contributions to a budget reserve fund each year and severely limits the state’s ability to suspend payments to the budget reserve even in years with a budget shortfall, or to use reserve funds for purposes other than capital outlays or debt service;
- Gives the governor unilateral authority to make mid-year spending cuts if available resources decline or expenditures increase; and
- If Prop 1A passes, temporary tax increases included in the 2009 budget agreement would be extended by two years beginning in 2011.
Things to consider about Prop 1A:
- Formulas used to determine the amount that must be transferred into the reserve fund and the requirements for how reserve fund money can be spent are extremely complex. There may be unforeseen consequences of these requirements, and in fact they may be in conflict with certain existing constitutional guarantees and spending mandates already in law.
- Prop 1A will not address California’s existing structural budget shortfall. Spending limits imposed by Prop 1A are significantly less than even the Governor’s projected “baseline” spending forecast, which already includes major budget cuts made in 2009. Therefore, the state would be unable to maintain the level of services and programs it currently operates.
Proposition 1B, regarding increased future funding for education
Prop 1B is tied to Prop 1A and goes into effect only if Prop 1A also passes. In essence, Prop 1B would increase funding for education starting in 2011-12 in order to make up for cuts sustained in 2007-08 and 2008-09 budgets.
Prop 1B is also an attempt to resolve a technical dispute about interpretation of Proposition 98, which guarantees that a certain percentage of General Fund dollars are devoted to education. Prop 1B effectively sidesteps the dispute about how the Prop 98 guarantee is calculated and instead mandates that half of the state’s contribution toward a budget reserve fund (see Prop 1A) be designated for education, up to $9.3 billion.
Things to consider about Prop 1B:
- It is unclear exactly how Prop 1B would affect the state budget overall.
- If Prop 1A does not pass, Prop 1B would not go into effect. The state would have to find another resolution to the debate over how the guaranteed funds under Prop 98 are calculated.
Proposition 1C, regarding the sale of lottery bonds to close the budget gap
Prop 1C would allow the state to sell bonds that would be repaid out of future lottery revenues. Proceeds from the sale of bonds would be used to help balance the 2009-10 budget. Funds from the lottery that have been used for education would now come out of the state’s General Fund instead; education funding levels would in fact increase.
Things to consider about Prop 1C:
- Prop 1C is the only measure on the ballot that would have an immediate effect on the coming year’s state budget.
- Prop 1C would provide $5 billion in new revenue from the sale of bonds to be used toward the 2009-2010 budget, which would help to protect vital human services programs from deeper cuts in the coming year.
- In the long term, Prop 1C would put an additional strain on the General Fund by increasing the required funding for education to come out of the General Fund.
- Prop 1C creates an incentive for the state to increase lottery sales, which are disproportionately bought by low-income individuals.
Proposition 1D, regarding re-directing tobacco tax revenues from early childhood development programs to balance the state’s budget.
Prop 1D would temporarily divert tobacco tax revenues to the state’s General Fund from monies raised by 1998’s Proposition 10, which voters allocated for First 5 early childhood development programs. Prop 1D would divert more than $1.6 billion of First 5 funds over five years to the state’s General Fund.
Prop 1D would also permanently restrict First 5 commissions to the provision of direct health care services. First 5 commissions’ current mandate allows them to use funds for the broad purpose of “promoting, supporting and improving early childhood development.”
Things to keep in mind about Prop 1D:
- Tobacco taxes are a declining source of revenue, so over the five years that funds would be diverted from First 5, the loss would represent an increasing proportion of overall funds available.
- First 5 has a reserve of $2 billion in funds. In this time, it is one of the only programs with any surplus. Much of this funding is earmarked for multi-year programs that have already begun and to take into account declining tobacco tax revenues.
- It is likely that the loss of revenue would result in cuts to the services provided by First 5 commissions.
- Prop 1D would permanently prohibit First 5 from carrying out certain activities, including: funding the operating costs of county health coverage programs for children who would otherwise be uninsured, including immigrant children; paying insurance premiums for low-income families with young children; training and recruiting pediatric dentists, preschool teachers, and child care providers; and funding health and dental facilities, including mobile vans and clinics.
Proposition 1E, regarding re-directing funds earmarked for Proposition 63 Mental Health Services Act to help balance the state’s budget.
Prop 1E would shift funds totaling $460.7 million over 2 years from Prop 63 Mental Health funding to the state’s General Fund. Prop 1E specifies that the diverted Proposition 63 funds would be used to support the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program – a federally mandated program that requires the state to provide certain screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to Medi-Cal recipients under age 21.
Things to keep in mind about Prop 1E:
- Prop 63 is funded through a tax on millionaires, which is likely to be an increasing source of revenue, in contrast with the declining tobacco tax.
- Prop 63 Mental Health programs have about $2 billion in unspent funds due to delays in program implementation.
- The EPSDT program is required by federal law. If Prop 63 funds are not diverted to the General Fund, EPSDT will continue to be funded through other General Fund dollars, while other health and human services programs would likely face further cuts because of the overall reduction in available funds.
- Mental Health services might incur cuts as a result of the diversion of funds. Such cuts might not go into effect immediately because of the large reserve funds.
- The fundamental choice in Prop 1E is whether funds should be used only for their original purpose to support mental health services or should be used in a time of budget crisis to support other state programs such as MediCal and CalWORKs.
Alums' Latest
Diahnna Nuñez (‘08) went above-and-beyond by hosting two in-person WPI recruitment meetings along the Central Coast of the state on May 11 and 12 -- thanks Diahnna!; Robyn Flores' ('04) organization, ACT for Women and Girls, is graduating the fourth class of the Female Leadership Academy for young women, which grew out of Robyn's experience in the WPI; Cecilia Zamora (’05) received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the Human Rights Commission; Anaí Ibarra (‘06) has been named Latino Media and Community Liaison for Governor Schwarzenegger's Council on Physical Fitness and Exercise; Alcira Dominguez (’07) made the most of a trip to Sacramento by participating in HOPE’s Latina Action Day, attending the Women’s Foundation of California’s Legislative Reception, and lobbying for two healthcare bills, AND she’s about to welcome her second grandchild!; Susan Cruz (‘07) moved cross-country last October to become the Site Director of the Crossroads Youth Opportunity Center in Langley Park, Maryland; Therese Hughes (’04) is now serving as President of the inaugural Los Angeles Regional Chapter of California Women Lead; Vanessa Huang (’07) began a new role as the grassroots fundraising coordinator for the Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP); Cherri Allison (’06) was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame in the Justice category for her work reforming and expanding legal advocacy in our justice system.
Exciting Developments with WPI Bills This Year
The fourth and final 2008-2009 Women’s Policy Institute retreat was held in Sacramento in April. Institute fellows have completed the training portion of the program, but their policy work is far from over. Take a moment to learn the status of each team’s bill and follow the links to the Women’s Policy Institute’s Policy Action Center to help champion their legislative efforts.
Reproductive Justice Team
SB 134 (Liu, D – Pasadena) ‘Increasing Communication Between Incarcerated Adolescents and Their Children' will improve the ability of incarcerated youth to parent their children. SB 134 will allow young parents to communicate over the phone and in writing not only with their child but also with their child’s caregivers, social worker, teacher, physician or any other person involved in their child’s upbringing so they can also be involved in their child’s upbringing. This bill will also encourage state detention facilities and local county juvenile detention facilities to provide opportunities for meaningful contact between incarcerated youth and their children in order to maintain the parent-child bond, minimize any negative impact incarceration will have on the young parent and child, improve opportunities for successful re-integration, and reduce the need for foster care.
UPDATE: Advocates and lawmakers have switched gears and are working behind the scenes in collaboration with the relevant state departments and agencies to accomplish the intent of the bill through administrative changes. If necessary, the bill may continue in the legislative process in 2010.
Environmental Justice Team
SB 194 (Florez, D – Shafter) ‘The Community Equity Investment Act of 2009’ will ensure equitable investment by directing new and existing funds to the poorest communities in our state. Over 1.5 million Californians live in disadvantaged, unincorporated communities, lacking basic infrastructure and services such as: safe drinking water, sidewalks, adequate waste-water disposal systems, streets and street lights, parks, adequate housing, and public transit. In addition to directing public funds to these communities, SB 194 will create incentives for cities and counties to develop and implement a plan to ensure that residents of disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within their boundaries enjoy basic infrastructure and services.
UPDATE: SB 194 passed through the Senate Local Government Committee and was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules on May 4th, 2009. Date of the next hearing is TBD.
Elder Issues Team
AB 324 (Beall, D – San Jose) ‘Elder Economic Dignity Act of 2009’ would require the State of California to use of the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index) to provide a better measure of poverty to plan for the needs of California’s growing aging population. The Elder Index is a new tool that accurately quantifies the annual cost of meeting basic needs for retired, older adults in each California County. AB 324 will help State and Counties gather more effective information about the needs of seniors and allow better prioritization of services, community planning and advocacy. AJR 6, a separate Resolution, urges Congress and the President to modernize the Federal Poverty Guidelines to reflect what it actually costs to survive in each state and county of the United States.
UPDATE: AB 324 passed the Committee on Aging and Long Term Care on April 22, 2009 and was referred to the Assembly Appropriation Committee. The bill was heard in appropriation on May 6th and palced on hold or "suspense" until the committee has assessed the fiscal impact of all Assembly bills still moving through the process.
AJR (Beall, D - San Jose) 'Elder Economic Dignity Act of 2009' calls on President Obama and Congress to ensure that the United States is working to achieve the economic security of the aging population in California and beyond by modernizing the way in which poverty among seniors is calculated.
UPDATE:
AJR6 passed unanimously out of the Assembly Aging and Long Term Care Committee and passed by a wide margin on the Assembly floor. The resolution will be heard in senate committee at a future date.
Criminal Justice Team
SB 153 (Liu, D – Pasadena) ‘Safe and Sensible Release Times Act of 2009’ will require that people are released from jail at a time of day when they have increased access to services that are critical to their success on the outside, such as transportation, housing, health care, reentry facilities, and substance abuse treatment. Upon completion of sentenced time served, SB 153 will require that individuals be released from jails between 6am and 6pm. It will also require that same-day court ordered releases be completed by 8pm. SB 153 is a common sense measure that will increase public safety for all members of our communities.
UPDATE: SB 153 is now a 2 year bill. Advocates are working with Senator Liu's office and may hold an informational hearing in the fall to educate legislators about the ongoing dangers of releasing people, especially women, from jails late at night. The bill will continue in the legislative process in 2010.
Education Team
AB 440 (Beall, D – San Jose) ‘College Student Success Act of 2009’ will ensure that community college students who meet the general education requirements to transfer to a four-year university are eligible to receive an Associate of Arts degree in recognition of their achievement. Many transfer students leave the community college system with nothing to show for their work and should they experience interruptions on their path to obtain a Bachelor's degree find themselves far less marketable in a competitive California economy. Moreover, it is often low-income students, students of color, and women who face the most obstacles on their path to obtain a degree. These students deserve a benchmark of their hard-earned success.
UPDATE: AB440 passed the Assembly Committee on Higher Education on May 6, 2009. The next hearing is TBD.
Economic Justice Team
AB 1139 (Pérez D – Los Angeles) would amend existing Enterprise Zone legislation to ensure that those most in need have access to jobs, hiring tax credits promote employee retention, and employers are incentivized to provide health benefits. The bill is intended to revive California's communities that have been hardest hit by the economic crisis. AB 1139 is sponsored by the Teamsters and Longshoremen unions.
UPDATE: AB 1139 was heard in the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy on April 29, 2009. Advocates and lawmakers will hold regional meetings to mobilize advocacy efforts and build broad support to move the bill forward in 2010.
Meet the Fellow: Jessie Ryan
Jessie Ryan, Campaign for College Opportunity
Jessie Ryan grew up in the Central Valley and was raised by a struggling single mother. While life was often challenging, Jessie’s mother taught her that being economically disadvantaged did not mean a lifetime of disadvantage. She instilled in her daughter the belief that through education and civic participation individuals could vastly improve their quality of life. It was her mother’s strong sense of civic service and empathy for others that inspired Jessie to seek a college education, something her mother had always dreamed of doing, and devote much of her professional life to making it possible for others to follow their same college dream.
Jessie is currently the Associate Director at the Campaign for College Opportunity, a nonprofit organization devoted to ensuring that the next generation of college-age students in California has the chance to go to college as promised by the 1960 Master Plan. As Associate Director, she leads the organization’s advocacy and policy efforts to increase the number of students accessing higher education and impact the rate that students succeed in reaching their educational goals. Jessie is also a recent graduate of the Women’s Policy Institute, class of 2009.
Jessie and her Education team are busy advocating for the passage of AB440, the “College Student Success Act of 2009”– a bill that will ensure community college students who meet the educational requirements to transfer to a four-year university are eligible to receive an Associate of Arts degree. The reality is that many students, especially low-income students, students of color, and women, experience interruptions on their path to a Bachelor’s degree and sometimes leave the educational system with nothing to show for their work. In recognition of their achievements, this bill would provide transfer students with an Associate degree making them more marketable in a competitive California economy and more likely to be financially secure in these economically trying times. The team has successfully shepherded the bill through the Assembly Committee on Higher Education and will hear the bill on the Assembly floor on Monday.
Even though Jessie came to the Institute with prior experience in policy advocacy, she always felt like a Capitol outsider. The Institute trainings demystified the policy process and provided the critical tools she needed to feel confident navigating the policy process. According to Jessie, half the battle is walking into the “building” and recognizing you have a right to be there and a valuable perspective to share. Reflecting on her WPI experience she states, “We begin [the program] uncertain of our role, but we leave understanding we have a legitimate place at the table. We also leave knowing we have the support of an amazing group of powerful women.”
Jessie credits the Institute and her fellow classmates for reenergizing her commitment to social justice work and she is already applying the skills she learned in her current work. In addition to AB 440, Jessie is working on staving-off future cuts to higher education and pressing for policy change that would strengthen the transfer function, streamline student assessment, and encourage finance reform. Armed with passion and experience, Jessie continues to expand access to higher education so all Californians have the opportunity to improve their quality of life.
Learn more about the Campaign for College Opportunity at www.collegecampaign.org.
Help Recruit the new class!
Send promising applicants to www.womensfoundca.org/wpiapply to learn more. Applications due June 8.
Take Action!
Vote May 19. For information, go to http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/
Tell the legislature not to forfeit $117 Million in Stimulus Funds- Reverse the CalWORKs grant cut.
Featured Article
Why Aren't We There Yet? A Primer on the Wage Gap by the Center for American Progress. Read it here.
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