Governor's Budget Proposal Endangers First 5-Funded Programs

Click here, or scroll to the end of this article to read First 5 LA Executive Director Evelyn V. Martinez's statement on the Governor's proposed budget. 

In his proposal, the Governor called for shifting approximately 50 percent of funding currently received by First 5 California, First 5 LA, and the 57 other First 5 county commissions for the next five years. The proposal also includes "a one‑time sweep of state and local reserves" estimated at $308 million. Redirected First 5 funds would be used to support the state's own programs administered by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services.

Approval of the proposed redirection of Prop. 10 revenues could potentially destabilize many health, public safety and early education programs in L.A. County and throughout California. Currently, Prop. 10 funding is administered by county commissions through multi-year agreements for programs that are not typically funded by the state. In L.A. County, First 5 LA provides support for vital community efforts such as Healthy Kids, which provides low cost health coverage for children in need; Partnerships For Families, a child-abuse prevention initiative, and L.A. Universal Preschool, which is dedicated to making voluntary, high-quality preschool available to every 4-year-old.

Since approving Prop. 10 in 1998, California voters have turned back every attempt to repeal or redirect the initiative. Most recently, California lawmakers' attempt to divert Prop. 10 money to the state general fund was overwhelmingly rejected by California voters in May 2009.

The Governor's budget proposal now goes to the State Legislature for approval. If approved, a new proposition to redirect Prop. 10 funding will be included in the June 2010 election. First 5 LA will continue to provide information about the impact of this proposal on the health and well-being of children in L.A. County. For more information, please contact Ruel Nolledo at Rnolledo@first5la.org.

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Statement on Governor's Budget Proposal by Evelyn V. Martinez, Executive Director of First 5 LA:       

The Governor should be given credit for recycling. Unfortunately, what he's chosen to recycle in his budget proposal is a failed ballot measure from last year that tried to scoop up millions of dollars in local First 5 funding for children and families.  Proposition 1D was voted down because voters recognized a basic fact: It doesn't make sense to strip money from local children's programs and give it to the state.

The Governor said in his speech that ‘the children are our future.' But it will be a dark future if the state Legislature allows this proposal to seize First 5 funding to go forward. Local communities throughout California depend on First 5 funding for health coverage for children, child abuse prevention efforts, and early education. Losing this funding will push California farther and farther behind in the competition to have the healthiest, best-educated workforce in the nation. 

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