SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2022-23 budget proposal:
“The Legislative Women’s Caucus continues to be pleased with Governor Newsom’s focus on improving the lives of women, children, and families in California. We are happy to see that the proposed budget provides for significant investments in early education and health, particularly increases in childcare spots and caregiver pay - two longtime priorities of our Caucus. We look forward to fully examining the funding priorities noted by the Governor in the 2022-23 proposed budget. As we move through the budget process, the Women’s Caucus will continue to pay particular attention to ensure that every aspect of the budget addresses the unique challenges the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place on women, especially women of color. While the labor force participation rate for females overall recovered close to the 2019 rates by March 2021, women in their mid-20s to mid-30s as well as women with small children continue to have the lowest participation rate. The economic impact of the pandemic has not been felt equally, but rather fell most heavily on women who have lost jobs or left the workforce at far higher rates.
“Additionally, the Democratic Legislative Women’s Caucus members are pleased to see that Governor Newsom’s proposed budget highlights investments that expand access to reproductive healthcare services, improve clinic infrastructure, and expand the reproductive healthcare services workforce.
“We look forward to working with the Governor and his office, as well as our Assembly and Senate Leadership to achieve a final product that prioritizes our Caucus priorities.”
###