Legislature Should Restore CalWORKS Grant Cut

State Forfeiting $117 Million in Stimulus Funds

Authored By Michael Herald, Legislative Advocate of the Western Law & Poverty Center

The Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger should restore the CalWORKs grant cut set to take effect July 1, 2009. California will lose $117 million in federal stimulus funds and the significant economic impact from human service spending if it does not act. If the cuts are allowed to go into effect the grant will be lower than the amount the state paid in 1989….

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Tease Them Apart, Think Long-Term

Authored by Jean Ross, Executive Director, California Budget Project

Proponents argue that voters must consider Propositions 1A through 1F as a single package, as if voting for “all of the above” is the only option on May 19. The California Budget Project (CBP) argues for a different approach: voters should consider the six measures separately. Consider the long-term consequences of each carefully. Look most closely at those measures that would permanently change the rules for budget and policymaking.

Of all six ballot….

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Western Center Sponsors Bills

An update from Elizabeth Landsberg, Legislative Advocate of Western Center on Law & Poverty:

Since my presentation at the WF Summit, the Western Center on Law & Poverty has sponsored four bills to improve access to health care for low-income consumers and protect them from medical debt:.

- AB 171 (Jones) would require dentists, before arranging credit cards or loans for services that the consumer has not yet received, to give a list of that treatment to the consumer. It would require….

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California WIC Association Updates

Laurie True provides this update from the California WIC Association:

State Bills and Issues

FOOD PACKAGE CHANGES: California WIC providers are extremely busy preparing for the transformative changes to the foods we offer 1.5 million participants. CWA has been partnering with key WIC stakeholder to host a series of Web Forums describing the changes to the WIC food packages and exploring ways to support and partner with local WIC programs to maximize the health benefits of these historic reforms. Each Web Forum is….

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