Thanks to all of our efforts in 2016, we were successful at getting Governor Brown to approve another rate increase that went into effect on January 1, 2017. Please find the new rate sheets here. And please make sure to update your rate sheet with the agency(ies) you contract with. They will not automatically give you the increase.
Although this is great news, we have some bad news to share:
The country’s president-elect is threatening to cut off federal funding to states that resist his plans to conduct mass deportations, target people solely for their religion and take away health coverage for millions. California has vowed to put up a fight…and California expects one.
That forced Governor Brown’s hand. In his budget proposal announced on January 10th, the Governor has the state bracing for the worst. If we are starved of federal funding, then California must fill in the large holes that the Trump administration digs throughout the state.
So, although we’ll get this year’s rate increase, the Governor has proposed postponing next year’s. It’s important to remember that this is just his initial proposal. As we’ve done in years past, union child care providers will make our voices heard in Sacramento to make sure our leaders there understand that targeting our littlest learners, hardworking working parents and those of us who provide crucial care is not the way to protect California. So far, the Governor has not proposed any cuts, as we saw with then-Governor Schwarzenegger. So although this stalls our march forward, it does not send us backward.
We will need to stay strong. This is not going to be easy. In order to keep from going backward and to continue to win in the State Capitol, make improvements to early care and education and prepare California’s future leaders for success, all of us must actively participate. Our union is only as strong as we are!
If you would like to get involved in growing and strengthening our union or have questions, concerns and/or suggestions, contact Melissa Noriega at (213) 215-7947.
