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CA Budget: “This Is the People’s Hearing”

The California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 Anti-Poverty Hearing on February 26, 2025, was a marathon of emotion and personal testimony. It was also a powerful example of communities that are refusing to leave one another behind.

“In what world is it moral, ethical, or humane to cut health care, food, and other basic needs to fund tax breaks for billionaires?” mused Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp Collins. Asm. Drs. Sharp Collins and Chair Corey Jackson set the tone for the afternoon.

The Budget Subcommittee on Human Services discussed a few key issues that are part of the End Child Poverty California Coalition’s 2025 IMAGINE campaign. In particular, Guaranteed Income, Reimagine CalWORKs, California’s participation in the Work and Family Stability Federal Pilot, and Immigration Services.

Committee Chair Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson stressed to leaders, advocates, parents, and youth in attendance, “It is not okay for the people of California to just be in survival mode. We need to secure conditions for everyone to thrive, including access to affordable housing, affordable childcare, and access to healthy food.”

Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson leads the Assembly Budget Sub #2 Human Services Anti-Poverty Hearing

The budget is a reflection of values. People that are often not prioritized will be heard in this committee. Particularly children, the elderly, and our most marginalized populations. This is the people’s hearing.

Asm. Dr. Corey JAckson (D – Moreno Valley)

Guaranteed Income Can Help End Child Poverty

Guaranteed Income continues to gain momentum in California. This anti-poverty tool was championed by the powerful civil and human rights advocates Johnnie Tillman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mona Masri, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Economic Security California Action made a powerful case for Guaranteed Income. “Evidence shows unrestricted cash works. Guaranteed Income helps families by easing the day-to-day financial burdens while growing long-term financial health. Unrestricted cash transfers provide tangible support to families.” We’ve learned from pilots across California and across the country that guaranteed income provides immediate relief by helping families cover their essential costs, whether it’s buying fresh food, or paying the rent or transportation costs.

Mona Masri, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Economic Security California Action

Masri also urged the committee to embed the principles of Guaranteed Income within the existing safety net, ensuring full, uninterrupted support for California’s children and families. “While our safety net provides vital support, there is an opportunity to embed the principles of Guaranteed Income such as lower barriers to participation, ending unnecessary sanctions, and unrestricted cash alongside the safety net.” Importantly, Masri and the committee also shared that Guaranteed Income provides long-term instead of short-term safety. Guaranteed Income has empowered individuals experiencing domestic violence to break free from abusive situations, for example. Long-term solutions are critical to ending child poverty.

Survivors of domestic violence experienced less levels of intimate partner violence and were able to secure safe shelter and establish their future safety by actively planning how they would use the 12-month time frame.

Mona Masri, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Economic Security California Action

CalWORKs Can Be ReImagined for Better Support

Jennifer Troia, Director of the California Department of Social Services kicked of the panel on CalWORKs with a stark reminder of the numbers: 95% of CalWORKs recipients identify as women. These households are single- or dual-parent with monthly incomes around $1500 or $1600, respectively.

ECPCA Managing Director of Public Policy Andrew Cheyne reminded the committee, “Last year’s budget set the standard to not balance the budget on the backs of poor people. This is the third year of Reimagine CalWORKs: people are demanding this change.” Cheyne emphasized that we know the path forward, but we “still subject our poorest children and families to punishing policies despite the evidence. We need statutory changes to show full outcomes.”

The solution is to fulfill the potential of an effective program that includes direct and supportive services. A program that asks the question, “How can this support help you reach your dreams?” And parents from across California showed up in support. Parent Voices California parent leaders overwhelmed the hearing room in their classic blue shirts, and gave powerful public comment.

Ambyr Baham, CalWORKs Advocate and Leader with Student-Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs (SPARC), and a Student Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District

Ambyr Baham, a CalWORKs Advocate, Student Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs (SPARC) and Student Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, shared her powerful personal testimony about her experience with CalWORKs. “The CalWORKs program has truly been a lifeline for me and my family. As a nontraditional student-parent, this program has ensured that I can provide food for my household. It equips me to continue my education, and manage the many financial challenges that arise: from running a household to unexpected expenses.”

Because of this (CalWORKs) support, I am proud to say that I am graduating from Los Angeles City College with two Associate’s degrees and a Pathway to Law School Certificate. I have already been accepted to UC Merced, UC Riverside, and UC Santa Cruz as an English major.

Ambyr Baham, CalWORKs Advocate and leader with Student-Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs (SPARC) and Student Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District

While Baham knows the power of the CalWORKs program, she also knows of its limitations. Obstacles remain. These include being treated as undeserving. Stigma is a serious issue. Caseworkers often don’t share the same experience, and struggle to understand reality. As Baham shared, the complicated and rigid one-size-fits-all approach creates a sense of failure in participants.

Despite its challenges, the CalWORKs program has the power to transform lives. As Baham and others emphasized, changes such as simplifying the program, meeting parents’ needs, and ending punitive policies can turn CalWORKs into an even more effective program.

Caseworkers should take a more individualized approach,
ensuring parents know all the resources available to them, including mental health
support, childcare, and additional financial assistance.

Ambyr Baham, CalWORKs Advocate and leader with Student-Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs (SPARC) and Student Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District

 

Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp Collins, reflecting on the testimony and diversity of the hearing, said, “We have to remind ourselves that there is no one-size-fit on our approach to any of the work. Everyone’s experience is different. Everyone’s culture is different.” Programs like CalWORKs and Guaranteed Income impact a wide range of populations.

We look forward to a legislative season of community, strength, and nourishment with our partners and California leaders.

Thank you to all who made public comment!

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