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Public Policy
Representatives from local
agencies in Sacramento visited San Diego to present the 2006 Childcare and
Development State Budget Policy Workshop. This concerted collaboration was an
effort to provide stakeholders in the early childhood education field, including
SDAEYC, an overview of the proposed 2006-2007 state budget and other current
childcare and child development related issues (including Proposition
82-Preschool for All).
In recent years, California’s budget has been an issue of concern for all
voters. The effect of this budget has impacted many professional sectors such
as K-12 education, higher education, and public safety.
Let’s take a look at the big picture. California has the sixth largest economy
in the world (larger than Italy, China, Canada, and Spain). In 2003-2004, the
state budget deficit was approximately $38.2 billion. Three years later, the
January estimate deficit for California in 2006-2007 is approximately $2.6
billion. Will the deficit end? California has been on the move through the
majority of the projected revenues for 2006-2007 coming from personal income tax
(42.5%) and sales tax (28.4%).
Each January, the Governor releases a proposed budget. In his budget, the
Governor has included some significant budget priorities for 2006-2007. This
means that he has proposed allocating some funds that will affect the education
and health system. These priorities include (but are not limited to):
· An increase in education spending by $1.7 billion above guarantee ($4 billion
increase)
·Provide $428 million for after school programs (Proposition 49)
· A statewide emergency preparedness initiative to respond to natural or
intentional disasters
· Enroll more uninsured children in the Healthy Families and Medi-Cal health
insurance programs ($72 million)
For 2006-2007, the Governor proposes no childcare reforms and no minor savings
(also referred to as cuts). Remember, the aforementioned figures are proposed.
We are also in an election year. In May 2006, the Governor will conduct what is
known as the “May Revise” of the state budget. This revision is based on the
outcome of filed taxes on April 15th, which may have an impact to the $2.6
billion deficit.
What does this mean to childcare and child development? There are some minor
adjustments to our field, but we need to look much broader. While direct funds
to the programs that provide child development services came through without
much harm, the services that low income families and children rely on are taking
a big hit. There are 47 Medi-Cal primary physicians for every 100,000 patients.
In the proposal CALWORKS is receiving no COLA (cost of living allowance), and
while SSI/SSP funding was increased at the federal level, California’s proposed
budget does not reflect those figures ~ meaning those families will not see the
increase. It was obvious to all at the budget workshop that the needs of low
income families are not a priority in Sacramento, election year or not.
An important issue discussed during the workshop was California’s preschool
progress. These are the facts. California has 1.2 million preschoolers aged 3
to 5-years-old (not in kindergarten). California ranks 37th
out of 50 states in preschool enrollment rates and only 47% of preschool-aged
children in California attend preschool.
Studies have shown that there are long-term benefits to children who attend
quality preschool. Children who attend quality preschool are more likely to
succeed at higher levels of education, and are less likely to be involved in the
justice and welfare systems.
Proposition 82 (free voluntary preschool for children 3-5 in California) will be
on the ballot in June 2006. The notion of quality preschool being available to
all of California’s four- year-old children is not a difficult one to fathom.
What are the details? Where do you as an early childhood educator fit in? Where
does your program fit in? What does quality preschool look like in the
initiative? Do you agree with it?
While voluntary preschool will continue to generate debate, efforts have
resulted in a system that will be up to the voters. Regardless of the condition
of the state budget, only programs of the highest quality should be considered
to benefit the lives of children.
Locally, we are one step ahead of the State. On December 5, 2005, the San Diego
First 5 Commission committed to the San Diego Preschool For All (PFA) Master
Plan. Our San Diego County Child Care and Development Planning Council developed
the plan. By voting to support the Master Plan, the First 5 Commission
authorized the utilization of $30 million for Phase I of the Demonstration
project. The PFA draft is available for review at
www.sdcoe.net. Simply
type PFA in their search box.
Please keep in mind that although the local PFA and Proposition 82 have the same
concept of the opportunity for all four-year-old children to attend quality
preschool, they are different.
Although sometimes it is hard, we need to stay focused on the needs of children
and their families. Sometimes this is difficult when front-page news articles
about agencies misappropriating their funds, and statewide initiatives distract
us. As June comes closer we will be sidetracked and inundated by both negative
and positive sound bites on radio and television about the initiative and about
preschool. But we, as early childhood professionals, need to be the voice of
what is happening in our classrooms and the quality that we are always striving
for. We need to be strong about our beliefs. We need to be strong for the
children and their families.
California Facts: California Economy and Budget in Perspective, Legislative
Analyst Office, Dec 2004
PFA
information: San Diego PFA presentation to SDAEYC Board; January 2006
James
Marcelino,
SDAEYC Public Policy Co-Chair
Celine
Krimston,
SDAEYC Public Policy Co-Chair
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