Cross Sector State Leaders Issue Statement in Response to Governor Newsom’s May Revise Budget
A cross-sector coalition of leaders in philanthropy, healthcare, business, labor, education, and community organizing issued a joint statement in response to Governor Newsom’s revised budget proposal—known as the “May Revise”—on May 14. The Legislature must adopt a final budget by June 15.
We recognize the difficult budget decisions facing our state, and we believe government policy should prioritize health and fiscal effectiveness.
Our fiscal challenges should not undermine the immigrants who are the backbone of industries that have propelled our state to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. We must avoid short-term fixes that lead to greater long-term costs.
The well-being of our residents directly affects our state’s public health and financial stability. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that viruses do not discriminate based on immigration status. Limiting health coverage to residents only increases costs for everyone.
68% of Californians support access to Medi-Cal and Covered California for all low-income residents, regardless of immigration status. Even without federal funding, 57% maintain that support. This demonstrates that Californians recognize the essential role immigrants play in our economy and communities. Our fiscal policy should reflect this understanding, protecting rather than excluding those who help California thrive.
We must not allow the failures of federal immigration policy to dictate our state’s health and fiscal policies. Our state leaders should act according to the will of the people, respecting their clear understanding of what benefits all Californians.
Signees:
Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Building Skills Partnership
California Community Foundation
California Health Care Foundation
California Immigrant Policy Center
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
College Futures
Dr. Bronner’s Family Foundation
End Child Poverty CA
Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
First 5 Los Angeles (F4LA)
Grove Foundation
Health Access California
L.A. Care Health Plan
Latino Community Foundation
Liberty Hill Foundation
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Nourish California
Orange County Grantmakers
Pa’lante Collaborative Strategies
Rosenberg Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SEIU United Service Workers West
The California Endowment
The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN)
The California Wellness Foundation
The Children’s Partnership
The James Irvine Foundation
Trans Latin@ Coalition
UNITE-LA
Weingart Foundation
Western Center on Law and Poverty