Gov. Brown’s revised budget plan draws mixed response from early education advocates
“While early education advocates say they appreciate Gov. Jerry Brown keeping last year’s promise to increase preschool funding – which he proposed postponing when he introduced the 2017-18 budget in January – they were disappointed that the May budget revision didn’t include additional money and changes that would allow more low-income families to qualify for subsidized child care. The budget revision reinstates $7.9 million in funding to add 2,959 full-day state preschool slots. The revised budget proposal also increases reimbursement rates for child care providers. The 2016-17 budget had proposed a 10 percent increase for child care providers who contract directly with the state, but only about 5 percent was implemented. The budget plan now reflects the full 10 percent rate increase outlined in the 2016-17 budget. Overall, the revised budget will restore the $500 million child care package as outlined in last year’s budget.”