State Budget & Legislation

California must guarantee that parents have enriching, affordable care that fits their needs, and that providers are fully compensated for their expertise and the true cost of care.

The Challenge

The State Budget is the most important factor in determining child care policy each year. California legislators use the State Budget to determine funding that affects all of us, however, the needs of our communities are not always represented as priorities in the State Budget. It is critical that advocates, providers, families, and legislators demand funding to ensure that every family has the right to child care and that all child care providers are given respect, fair pay, and adequate benefits.

The Solution

When families, child care providers, legislators, and our community advocates come together, we can speak up for ample inclusion in the state budget and hold legislators accountable in funding child care, a sector critical to the well-being of the people of California.

What we’re doing

One of Child Care Law Center’s tenants is to advocate for child care to be a civil right. In part, we do this by advocating for inclusive state funding for child care in California’s budget. We consistently organize and give testimony during budget hearings in the spring, and meet regularly with coalitions, California State Assembly and Senate Budget Committee staff and the Department of Finance.

In addition, we examine how the budget proposals intersect with the law, and explain the potential impacts on children, state subsidized affordable child care, and Black and Brown people, children, and families. We also keep advocates and stakeholders informed through blog updates and emails to give you the information you need to join us in advocating for a more equitable child care system.

Fiscal Year 2025-26

Fiscal Year 2024-25

Fiscal Year 2023-24