California Work & Family Coalition Statement on the 2026 January Budget

California - California Work & Family Coalition is a statewide alliance of organizations united in the belief that all people deserve the time and resources to care for themselves and each other. We envision a world where all people, whether currently working or not, have the power, time, resources, and support systems to care for themselves and their families, whether biological or chosen, to build collective community, to rest and pursue fulfilling and healthy lives.

We applaud the January Budget’s investment in EDDNext, a multiyear project to ensure that every Californian can access critical Paid Family Leave, Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance in times of need. California’s landmark Paid Family Leave and Disability Insurance programs allow workers to leave to care for their own or a family member’s serious health condition or to bond with a new child without risking their financial security. 

California workers and families across the lifespan deserve not just to survive but to thrive. With the passage of HR 1, the federal government has chosen to strip healthcare and food assistance away from workers and families, while simultaneously increasing funding for detention and deportation, as well as giving huge tax increases to corporations and the extremely wealthy. 

California leaders can choose to lead us into a different and better future. California is now the 4th largest economy in the world. Our state has the resources to allow every Californian to see their doctor, fill prescriptions, pay rent, buy groceries, afford child care, elder care, care for a family member with disabilities, or access safety and healing if they are a survivor of violence.  

We call on our state leaders to commit to ensuring that every person in California can live and care for their family with dignity. We encourage our state leaders to raise additional ongoing state revenue by closing unfair tax breaks for wealthy corporations to counter federal harm and lead the nation in investing in a more affordable, secure, and equitable future for all.

We look forward to working with the Administration and the State Legislature to realize a more just, equitable future. 

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