CA Legislative Women’s Caucus Leaders Celebrate Budget Victories for Childcare, Women’s Programs

SACRAMENTO – Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), Vice Chair of the LWC, applauded Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of the 2023-24 State Budget Act, as well as AB 116, the childcare budget trailer bill:

“The impacts of the pandemic were particularly hard on women. With the closure of schools, childcare and other services families depend on, women left the workforce in large numbers and have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels. That is why the Legislative Women’s Caucus made supporting women returning to and advancing in the workplace the focus of our budget priorities. We are thrilled that the 2023-24 California budget significantly increased childcare funding, with the result that childcare will be more affordable and that those who care for our children will receive better pay. Specifically, the budget waived all family fees through Sept. 30, makes that waiver permanent for low-income families, and by this fall greatly reduces fees for middle-income families. Increasing the reimbursement rates to providers will also help providers retain staff and keep their doors open.”

“We are also pleased that the budget continues funding the Women in Trades program in the Department of Industrial Relations. New federal funding has jumpstarted infrastructure projects up and down the state, and now is the time to support recruiting and retaining women who are underrepresented in our construction trades workforce. We also applaud the continued funding for California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG).

“We thank Governor Newsom and the Legislature for their commitment to investing in childcare, Women in Trades, and CCSWG. As more women return to the workplace and children are back in the classroom, our work together will improve the lives of California families. There is much more to be done to support our childcare system, women and families. We look forward to working with them to get the job done.”

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