First 5 LA Urges Lawmakers To Reject Prop 10 Funding GrabJanuary 13, 2010 |
Printer-friendly version |
| Los Angeles--- First 5 LA Executive Director Evelyn Martinez today called on state legislators to save local children's programs by rejecting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempt to grab First 5 funding in order to pay for state run programs. "This is another blatant attempt by the governor to take local dollars that L.A. County desperately needs right now," Martinez said. "Last year's state budget cuts have already harmed the very children and families who need help most. We need to preserve the fragile safety net of care and services people rely on when state programs fail." The governor has proposed taking more than $550 million of Proposition 10 revenue from the Children and Families Commissions and diverting that money to state programs. Currently, First 5 LA and the Children and Families Commissions in counties throughout the state use Prop 10 funds to support local health care programs, early education and other essential services for young children and families. A similar attempt to take First 5 funds from local communities was made less than year ago, when Prop 1D was placed on the ballot. Voters rejected the measure, 66 to 34 percent, thus ensuring that county commissions could continue to respond to the needs of local children and families hard hit by state budget cuts and the economic recession. "When the governor cuts services, First 5-funded programs help Californians survive," Martinez stated. "At a time when poor families are struggling just to feed their children, his proposal will decimate the few resources that remain in their local communities." The governor's proposal could not have come at a worse time for L.A. County. Projected state budget cuts and diminished revenues have resulted in at least a $4 billion shortfall that threatens county services for children and families. A diversion of Prop 10 funding will radically reduce the resources First 5 Commissions can contribute to shoring up the local safety net for vulnerable children and families. Last October, at the request of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, First 5 provided emergency assistance to the Black Infant Health program, which provides health, education and other services to prevent infant deaths, which are disproportionately higher among African American families. First 5 LA also provided additional support early last year to cover increases in Healthy Families applications. Both programs had been overwhelmed by deep budget cuts at the state level. In taking resources from First 5-funded programs, the governor's plan would penalize commissions that practice fiscal responsibility. The 58 Children and Families Commissions throughout California administer funding through multi-year agreements. This allows First 5 LA to ensure the ongoing stability of essential services such as doctor's visits, immunizations, dental care, child abuse prevention efforts and preschool. "The state's fiscal woes should not be solved by taking money from infants and toddlers," Martinez said. "This proposal is a shamefully short-sighted idea that sets a bad precedent for this state and, if passed, will seriously harm millions of California children. I urge legislators to have the courage to do the right thing and reject the governor's dangerous proposal." --------------------------------------------- |
|
Comments
Post new comment