UNITE-LA stands in stark opposition to the Reconciliation Bill recently passed by Congress. As an organization that works to increase access to equitable economic mobility for Californians, we are diametrically opposed to legislation that slashes investments to critical education and workforce development programs in favor of tax cuts to billionaires and increased deportation and incarceration of immigrant communities.
The policies and cuts included in this bill will have catastrophic consequences for California and our country, with dire cuts to funding and programs across the cradle-through-career continuum. The cuts to Medicaid in this bill will cause the greatest loss of health care coverage in American history with nearly 17 million Americans, including 2.4 million Californians, losing their health care. It also cuts access to food and nutrition programs that feed and sustain children and families. The cuts to Medicaid alone will have secondary impacts on California’s state budget that jeopardize the state’s ability to fund and sustain other critical services and programs, such as access to child care, and education and workforce development programs. The bill also puts a cap on student loans, likely increasing the cost of attendance and making the prospect of college further out of reach for low- and middle-income students. These dramatic changes will hinder economic mobility for years to come.
As an L.A.-based organization, we have seen firsthand the impact of the increased ICE raids and targeting of immigrants. These raids and abductions have not only terrorized our community but have had a chilling effect on small business, with likely lasting impacts to our local economy. Increasing funding to further target and criminalize immigrant communities, especially at the expense of health care, nutrition and education programs, will only increase harm to our overall economy.
UNITE-LA is committed to uphold our role as an intermediary organization and work alongside education institutions, businesses, partners and advocates to fight for policies and investments that advance opportunities for children, families and the rising workforce.
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