Legislative Women’s Caucus Releases Statement on Governor’s May Revision

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revision:

“The Women’s Caucus welcomes the Governor’s recognition that women were acutely impacted by the pandemic, leaving jobs that paid them unequally and watching as services they relied on such as child care and elder care became unavailable. As if the ongoing pandemic and economic challenges were not enough, women are now facing the fact that their reproductive rights are under assault. We are pleased that many of the Governor’s proposals in the May Revise correlate with the budget priorities of the Legislative Women’s Caucus such as waiving family child care fees, reimbursing child care providers and centers based on enrollment, and a $200M investment for child care infrastructure,” said Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia. “However, we know more is needed and stand by our request for the final budget to also include an increase to child care and preschool provider wages and compensation, and funding the healthcare and retirement plans for Child Care Providers United.”

“We also will remain laser-focused in the coming weeks on ensuring funding to retain women in the workforce and advance workforce training for higher wage and career opportunities.”

“Finally, we are particularly pleased to see Governor Newsom’s significant investments to increase access to reproductive healthcare services, improve clinical infrastructure, and expand the workforce in reproductive healthcare services and look forward to working in the coming weeks to secure the full funding the Caucus is advocating to ensure California’s role as the beacon for reproductive freedom.”

“We thank Governor Gavin Newsom for his proposed investments in child care and access to reproductive healthcare services and we look forward to continuing working with his Administration, as well as Senate and Assembly leadership. Together, we know that we will get women back to work and children back to learning.”

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