California budget deficit could delay new child care funding

By ADAM BEAM
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed delaying funding for 20,000 subsidized child care slots, which would help cover the state’s $22.5 billion budget deficit this year. But the proposal has angered child care workers and California Legislative Women’s Caucus, both of which are fighting to restore the funding. Over the past two years, California has funded 146,000 new, subsidized child care slots, but the slots have been added so fast that state officials can’t fill them fast enough. That’s one reason why Legislative Analyst’s Office says Newsom’s proposal seems reasonable. Child care workers say there aren’t enough providers available because the state doesn’t pay them enough.