FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UNITE-LA STATEMENT ON MAY REVISION: EMPHASIS ON PROTECTING CRADLE-THROUGH-CAREER INVESTMENTS THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC MOBILITY

LOS ANGELES – As California navigates a tumultuous financial environment with a $12 billion deficit, UNITE-LA appreciates Gov. Gavin Newsom's continued support maintaining cradle-through-career funding and programs that support economic mobility. The challenges facing the governor and legislature due to draconian cuts proposed at the federal level are immense, and while California grapples with many unknowns, UNITE-LA is grateful for state leadership that remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our youth, rising workforce and families.

"As the governor and legislature finalize the budget, UNITE-LA respectfully urges them to safeguard and advance investments that support equitable economic mobility for our rising workforce," said Alysia Bell, President, UNITE-LA.

We understand tough decisions must be made to reflect this commitment, while also maintaining a balanced budget. UNITE-LA appreciates that the following items continue to be prioritized in the May Revision:

• Cost of Care Plus monthly payments for subsidized child care providers and a commitment to advance a single reimbursement rate structure that is based on the true cost of providing child care, ensuring child care providers receive livable wages.
• Full implementation of universal transitional kindergarten (TK) and lowering classroom child-teacher ratios to 10:1 to ensure a high-quality learning environment.
• Investments to strengthen multilingualism, including evidence-based professional learning for educators aligned with the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (ELA/ELD Framework), a new statewide English proficiency screener for TK, and ongoing support for regional English Learner lead agencies and implementation of the English Learner Roadmap.
• Additional Cal Grant and Middle-Class Scholarship funds, ensuring more eligible students can enroll and persist in postsecondary education.
• Initial funding for key elements of the Master Plan for Career Education, such as career passports, credit for prior learning and regional and state coordination, despite less funding than initially planned.

UNITE-LA continues to advocate for sustained investments that support regional collaboration, such as the K-16 Regional Collaboratives and California Jobs First, and access to child care, essential services and education and workforce pathways for immigrants and individuals from marginalized communities, who contribute to California’s economy.

Bell continues, "Given the positive impact of recent investments that align education, workforce and economic development to support our rising workforce, UNITE-LA urges elected officials to prioritize these programs and investments in the final budget to ensure equitable access to high-mobility careers in growing sectors."

UNITE-LA is also closely monitoring federal budget proposals that threaten access to vital programs, including child care, workforce development and broadband.

We recognize the challenges of balancing the state budget while advancing critical priorities and stand ready to collaborate on innovative solutions that promote equitable economic mobility.

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About UNITE-LA
For 27 years, UNITE-LA has championed equitable, economic mobility via cradle-though-career education and workforce development efforts that strengthen systems, policies and high-quality education and career pathways. UNITE-LA serves as an intermediary, collaborating with key stakeholders—including educators, employers, policymakers and community leaders—to ensure all individuals, especially those facing systemic barriers, have opportunities to thrive. Co-founded by the City of Los Angeles, LA Unified School District, and LA Community College District, UNITE-LA is grounded in the region with state and national partnerships extending its impact throughout California and the U.S. Learn more at www.unitela.com.