September 30, 2008 - Governor Vetoes Caballero Child Care Funding Bill

AB 1028 Seen as Key Measure in Long-Term Efforts to Curb Youth Violence
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday vetoed AB 1028, a bill by Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) designed to give greater flexibility to pre-schools and child care centers that receive state funds. AB 1028 required preschools to report to the state all sources and amounts of funds received to fund their programs. It also prohibited the state from subtracting the amount of any unrestricted funds obtained from a third-party funder from the funds in the state contract.

No additional state funding was required by this bill.

The governor’s used boiler plate language to explain his veto of AB 1028, along with dozens of other bills, saying, "I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California. This bill does not meet that standard."

“I’m very disappointed in the governor’s veto,” said Assembly Member Caballero (D-Salinas). “Early childhood education has long been recognized as a cost effective youth violence prevention strategy. Children who attend pre-school are more successful academically, have greater literacy and interpersonal skills, and have a lower tendency to get involved in risky behavior. Early childhood education is one of the most important strategies a community can undertake to prevent youth violence in later years.” Caballero chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention.

“At a time when communities throughout the state are struggling with an upsurge in gang violence, the last thing we want to do is undercut funding for child care centers, we need to expand opportunities, not decrease them, ” said Caballero.

“Centers that are enterprising enough to obtain grant funds from many sources such as the First Five Commission, Head Start, private donations or foundations, shouldn’t be penalized by state requirements that they give up some of their state funding.”

Caballero’s Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention is working on a “tool-kit” of ideas that can help communities struggling with gangs and youth violence. The committee will hold its seventh hearing on Thursday, October 1, in Fresno.

AB 1028 was supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, California Child Development Administrators Association, Child Development Policy Institute, First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission, Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Professional Association for Childhood Education.

“I plan to keep working on this issue,” Caballero said. “Families need more preschool opportunities and our children deserve it. It’s good for our kids, it’s good for our communities.”