Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Legislators, governor agree on $375 million cut to CalWorks
Listen
Legislators, governor agree on $375 million cut to CalWorks
California's welfare-to-work program is poised for a major blow under the state's budget deal. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders agreed on a $375 million cut to CalWorks services including child care, transportation, and job training.
In a teleconference Tuesday morning the County Welfare Directors Association's top executive Frank Mecca said CalWorks is enrolling people who've never applied for public assistance.
Frank Mecca: "And at the very moment that they need our help to get back into the labor force, we're going to say sorry, we can't help you. At the very moment when the safety net is most critical, we're going to pull the carpet out from under these people. It seems contrary to the goal of getting people back into the workforce."
Mecca says the cuts would eliminate 40,000 adults and twice as many children from welfare programs in California. He denounces the budget plan as hypocritical and counterproductive. The legislature is scheduled to vote on the budget Thursday.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
