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Our Response to the 2025 Budget Act
Child Action CEO responds to the 2025 Budget Act, noting key child care gains and urgent challenges that remain.
Sacramento, CA – Today, Child Action (CAI) issued the following statement in response to the enactment of the Budget Act of 2025. This statement is attributed to Child Action CEO, Adonai Mack:
“Thank you, Governor Newsom, Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, Assembly Speaker Rivas, and the Legislative Women’s Caucus for a budget that affirms California’s enduring commitment to child care in a time of fiscal uncertainty. In a year marked by widespread cuts, we are heartened that early care and education remain protected—and prioritized.
“This budget reflects our collective values, maintains access to affordable care, and advances progress toward rate reform and provider equity.”
We deeply value continued investments that allow agencies like ours to fairly compensate providers through cost-plus payments, cover union dues, and maintain stable funding by reimbursing based on enrollment rather than attendance. We appreciate the State advancing towards upfront payments, which will improve stability for providers and the families they serve.
We fought to protect the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and through collective advocacy, reduced the proposed cut from $42.7 million to $30 million. While we remain concerned about any reduction in support for vulnerable children, we are grateful to the Legislature for mitigating the impact.
As California advances rate reform, we remain steadfast in our call for a true cost-of-care model—one that honors the essential work of child care providers and delivers the full promise of early learning for every child.”
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For media inquiries, please reach out to publicaffairs@childaction.org