California’s poverty rate remains among the highest in the nation (17.7%), with children, people of color, and renters most affected.

California's Medi-Cal spending is rising due to high drug costs, expanded coverage, and extended pandemic-era protections.

Republican federal budget proposals threaten critical programs for California families while offering tax breaks to the wealthiest 1%.

Head Start programs worry that the closure of a federal office in San Francisco could create delays in getting funding requests approved — and weaken their support system.

California needs a lot more teachers and aides to fill transitional kindergarten classrooms, but advocates say early childhood educators who have the experience and desire to step into those jobs are ...

Proposed Republican budget cuts could impact health care, housing, and economic security for Californians in every congressional district.

California contributes $83 billion more in federal taxes than it receives in federal funding. See what this means for the state’s future.

The budget framework lays a path for a future budget bill that could pay for increased military and homeland security spending with harmful policies that take food assistance and health coverage away ...

In a party line vote, the Republican-controlled House Budget Committee advanced their budget resolution to move forward legislation that would give tax cuts to the wealthy and partially pay for them.....

Proposed Republican budget cuts could impact health care, housing, and economic security for Californians in every congressional district.

Higher wages for early care and education workers in California is critical to expanding affordable child care.

Explore how federal policies shape California’s budget, economy, and vital programs — and how state leaders can respond to protect and support Californians.

Proposed federal funding cuts by Republican lawmakers threaten vital services, including Medi-Cal, SNAP, education, and local jurisdictions.

key takeaway California families face steep child care costs, with a single mother spending 61% of her income without subsidized care. In 2022, only 11% of eligible children received state subsidized ...

Understand how California’s safety net programs support millions of residents facing poverty and inequality, who rely on vital resources.

If Republican lawmakers were serious about deficit-neutral tax reform, they would focus on increasing taxes for the ultra-wealthy and large corporations. The absence of such proposals in their plan re...

Millions of people would face higher costs for health care, child care, and housing, and millions more would lose health coverage.

The document provides a look at what Republicans are considering as they assemble a package of tax cuts and other priorities for early 2025.

Your guide to understanding Governor Newsom's 2025-26 California state budget proposal and how the spending plan will impact Californians.

TikTok video by Parent Voices CA

SACRAMENTO, CA — Following Governor Newsom's 2025-26 budget proposal released this morning, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center), a

Budget Center policy experts explore what the 2025-26 state budget proposal means for California’s communities, economy, and overall progress.

Despite decades of effort, access to affordable child care remains a challenge for families with low incomes in California.