California Budget & Policy Center

Closing additional prisons “is a no-brainer,” says Scott Graves. “Why are we spending a billion dollars a year to keep 15,000 beds empty in our state prison system? It’s a massive waste of resources.” #CABudget https://lnkd.in/g7AH2bT2

Meet Monica Davalos, MPPA, Senior Policy Analyst at the Budget Center! Our Q&A with Monica explores her recent efforts to help ensure all Californians have an affordable and stable place to call home. "Understanding the data and research behind these issues can shift narratives and challenge personal biases, which I find incredibly powerful and necessary for substantive policy change." ⚡ Read more about Monica's story and the impactful work she's doing at the Budget Center.

NEW: The Rise of Homelessness Among California’s Older Adults California’s homeless population is aging rapidly, with adults 50 and over making up nearly 40% of those needing shelter. Without swift and intentional policy action, California faces a future with a growing number of unhoused older adults as the state’s population ages. ⚡ Our policy expert Monica Davalos, MPPA shares more in our latest.

Our own Kayla Kitson testified during today's Assembly Select Committee on Poverty and Economic Inclusion. "While California does lead the nation in having a very progressive personal income tax, there are inequities in the state’s tax system that also reduce state revenues, taking money off the table that could instead be used to ensure all Californians have the resources they need to thrive." Understanding the inequities in the tax system is a necessary first step toward addressing them. #CALeg

ICYMI: Our team has been busy digging into the critical issues impacting Californians and ensuring advocates have the data needed to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive state. ⚡ Explore our latest publications on crucial topics like the state budget, paid leave, other safety net programs, and more.

Meet Hannah Orbach-Mandel, State Policy Fellow at the Budget Center! Our Q&A with Hannah explores her efforts to advance policies that promote equitable working conditions for all workers and improve the lives of California women and families. "Witnessing firsthand the impact of advocacy efforts at the state level, like the successful passage of the paid sick leave bill, emphasized the potential for meaningful change." ⚡ Read more about Hannah's story and the impactful work she's doing at the Budget Center.

Last week, California State Assembly and Senate leaders announced a joint legislative budget plan. Overall, the plan takes a more responsible approach to resolving the state’s budget deficit and improves on the governor’s May Revision by firmly rejecting many harmful cuts to critical services. #CABudget ⚡ We share more in our statement. https://lnkd.in/gEF5e5tF

California is slated to spend billions on tax breaks this year with some of the most costly breaks benefiting highly profitable corporations. The continued resistance to adopting long-term revenue solutions puts corporate profits over families. #CAbudget https://lnkd.in/gYRm4XXt

NEW: Closing Prisons Can Help Avoid Cuts, Fund Vital Safety Net and Health Programs It's mystifying that the state continues to maintain underutilized prison facilities instead of redirecting funds to essential community services. ⚡ We share more in our latest: https://lnkd.in/g4dMG2M7

Governor Newsom's May Revision includes billions in cuts, delays, and deferrals of critical investments intended to improve the health and well-being of all Californians. By further tapping into the state’s main rainy day fund and permanently reducing tax breaks for profitable corporations, state leaders can ensure corporations pay their fair share and avoid cuts to services that help Californians stay healthy, housed, and put food on the table. ⚡ Read more from our team in our First Look analysis: https://lnkd.in/gHTTkJns