CA Rural After School Summit Policy Perspective Susanna Kniffen, Children Now

CA Budget CA faces a budget deficit of over $25 billion. Governor Brown has proposed to balance the budget through approximately $12 billion in reductions and $12 billion in revenue, with $2 billion in “other solutions”. The Governor has asked for approval of his solutions by March 10 (60 days).

Budget Solutions: Reductions K-12 Education Spared Additional Cuts Proposition 49 After School Education and Safety (ASES) funding spared Many safety net programs reduced, including Cal-WORKS, Medi-Cal, and Child Care. Child Care cuts include eliminating services for 11 and 12 year olds.

Budget Solutions: Revenue Extends 2009 temporary tax increases including income tax, sales tax, and vehicle license fees. Adjusts 2009 corporate tax breaks. Sends revenue solutions to the voters for approval on the June ballot as the Governor promised during his campaign. Many services “realigned” to counties.

Afterschool Advocacy League of California Afterschool Providers (LCAP) sunsets. California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) continues to work at the Capitol and will take over some of the outreach functions LCAP provided. CA3 to distribute Newsletter and develop a website.

Afterschool Advocacy One third of the CA legislature is new every 2 years. Afterschool advocates and providers must continue to share information about the importance of afterschool programs with new policymakers. Reach out to your Assemblymember/ Senator and invite them to visit your program.

Policy Update State Legislation Introduction Deadline is February 21 st. Federal legislation to redefine extended learning time and increase 21 st Century funding pulled. Congress passed a Child Nutrition bill which expands the Afterschool Meal Program to all 50 states.