UNITE-LA Urges California Leaders to Protect Workforce, Education and Economic Mobility Investments in Final State Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026

UNITE-LA URGES CALIFORNIA LEADERS TO PROTECT ECONOMIC MOBILITY INVESTMENTS IN FINAL STATE BUDGET

LOS ANGELES – As Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders finalize California’s 2026-27 budget, UNITE-LA is urging the administration and legislature to protect and expand investments that strengthen economic mobility.

At a time when California faces workforce shortages, rising costs for families and increasing economic uncertainty, sustaining investments that connect young people and workers to education, training and career pathways is critical to the state’s long-term economic competitiveness.

UNITE-LA is calling on state leaders to prioritize the following investments in the final June budget:

A $65 million investment over three years for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) program;
A $46 million, one-time investment to continue the Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program over the next two years;
A $45 million investment over two years for the Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) Initiative to support entrepreneurial training and microgrants for immigrant business owners;
Dedicated funding for implementation of the alternative Cost of Care reimbursement methodology for child care providers that reflects the true cost of care; and
A clear implementation plan for the rollout of the codified 44,000 child care slots expected in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

"California cannot afford to retreat from investments that strengthen our workforce, expand educational opportunity and support economic mobility," said Alysia Bell, President of UNITE-LA. "The decisions made in this budget will directly impact whether young people, workers and families can access the education, training and support systems necessary to participate fully in California's economy."

UNITE-LA is also raising concerns about several proposed actions that could create additional barriers for students, workers and families, including:

Increased health care premiums for Californians with Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS);
Reduced cost-of-living adjustments for child care and preschool providers; and
Continued deferrals to California’s public higher education systems that risk limiting student supports and institutional capacity.

"These proposed reductions and delays come at a time when Californians are already navigating affordability challenges, workforce instability and barriers to economic opportunity," Bell added. "We must ensure that budget decisions do not disproportionately impact the very communities and systems driving California's future workforce."

UNITE-LA does recognize several important investments included in the Governor's May Revision that support students, educators and workforce readiness, including investments in literacy, teacher preparation, career pathways, community schools, immigration legal services, child care infrastructure and Workforce Pell Grant implementation.

UNITE-LA supports the following items included in the Governor’s May Revision:

Require all TK-12 local educational agencies and community colleges to provide employees with up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave, beginning in 2026-27.
$5 billion one-time Proposition 98 General Fund available for the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, which will support local education agencies with rising costs and funding statewide priorities, including
- Professional development for teachers on the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework and the Literacy Roadmap, with a focus on supporting literacy development for English Learners;
- Professional development for TK-3 teachers and elementary school site administrators on developmentally appropriate instruction; and
- Career pathways and dual enrollment expansion efforts consistent with the Master Plan for Career Education.
Reappropriating $485 million from the California Community Schools Partnership Program previously set aside for extension grants for critical priorities, including $50 million to redesign secondary (middle and high school) community schools to better serve the needs of all students, improve student outcomes and better integrate postsecondary college and career opportunities.
$428.8 million one-time funding to extend the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Grant Program through June 30, 2031, and $5 million ongoing funds to support statewide use of the Multitudes Literacy Screener and expand supported languages.
$20 million one-time investment in immigration legal services, including support for Californians in immigration court proceedings and civil immigration detention.
$20 million in additional Proposition 98 General Fund for the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, which provides assessment, technical assistance and fiscal support for improving the quality of early care and education programs.
$17.8 million in funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program, derived from
- $16.2 million in federal special education (IDEA) funds, with grant awards for prospective special education teachers of up to $20,000, and
- $1.6 million in one-time federal Title II funds for 2026-27, with grant awards for prospective teachers in other subject matter areas of up to $10,000.
$11.8 million of one-time funding in 2026-27 to be invested in child care infrastructure for communities impacted by recent fires.
$664,000 one-time increase of General Fund to support implementation activities related to the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program.

UNITE-LA remains committed to working alongside the Governor's administration, legislature, employers, educators and community partners to advance a final budget that strengthens California's education and workforce systems while expanding opportunity for all Californians.

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About UNITE-LA
For almost 30 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.