California is once again facing a large projected budget deficit, and Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed deep cuts in child care and preschool programs to help close the gap, according to a new analysis.
On Thursday, the governor released a budget plan for 2012-13 that would cut $517 million from child development programs, eliminating 62,000 slots in early education around the state, Preschool California, an Oakland, Calif.-based advocacy group, reported. The budget would cut the California State Preschool Program almost in half, the group added.
Even though California may not be a leader in early learning, its budget decisions matter. It is the nation’s most populous state. Plus, it was one of the nine states that won a Race to the Top early learning grant in December.
Policymakers are in a tough fiscal position, however. During the last three years they dealt with a series of large state budget deficits. During that time, they cut nearly $1 billion from early learning and care programs, according to Preschool California. This year they face yet another shortfall, roughly $9 billion according to media reports, which raises the possibility of further cuts.
The governor’s plan, however, is only an early chapter in the budget process. In the state legislature, Democratic leaders have already said they want to avoid further cuts in early childhood programs. But, legislators will need to find savings somewhere.
Other proposed cuts in Gov. Brown’s budget plan, according to Preschool California:
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... Realign all child care and development programs except part-day state preschool from the California Department of Education to county welfare offices. This is likely to result in thousands of state preschools and other child development programs shutting down throughout the state.
- Eliminate the General Child Care Program.
--“Gov. Brown's 2012-2013 budget calls for devastating cuts.” Preschool California, 1/6/12.