News Types
Statement from Child Action on Governor Newsom’s 2026–27 Proposed Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 09, 2026
Sacramento, California
Statement from Child Action on Governor Newsom’s 2026–27 Proposed Budget
Child Action thanks Governor Gavin Newsom for his historic investments in child care and for protecting the significant progress California has made toward expanding access to subsidized child care and advancing rate reform. We commend the inclusion of a cost-of-living adjustment—$89.1 million ongoing General Fund—and look forward to further details on how this investment will support both child care providers and the agencies that serve families.
“We’re grateful that the Governor is pushing back against the potential freeze on child care funding. In a moment of real uncertainty, strong leadership makes a difference. But maintaining the status quo isn’t enough. Families still struggle to find the care they need, and many providers cannot cover the true cost of care. If we want parents to work, providers to grow, and California’s economy to thrive, we have to keep investing and build a child care system that works for all families.”
– Adonai Mack CEO, Child Action
California’s budget reflects our values. At a moment when child care is under threat at the federal level, the state has a responsibility to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to children, families, early educators, and employers.
That said, we urge the Administration not to take its foot off the gas. While we are grateful that no cuts to child care are proposed, flat funding limits the number of children we can serve and fails to address the urgent reality that child care providers are not paid the true cost of providing care. Together, these challenges risk constraining California’s economic development and workforce participation.
Child Action remains committed to actively engaging with policymakers throughout the budget process. We call on the Legislature and the Administration to finalize a rate reform proposal that recognizes the actual cost of providing child care, provide agencies with the resources needed to better serve all income eligible families, and fulfill the promise of 200,000 child care slots.
While we recognize investments in after-school programs and Transitional Kindergarten, many families still need child care that accommodates nontraditional hours, dual-language learners and smaller settings. California must continue investing in a strong, equitable child care system so all families have access to stable, high-quality care that meets their diverse needs.
For media inquiries, please reach out to publicaffairs@childaction.org