Governor signs California budget with anti-poverty efforts

[alp227]

Source: AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown signed a spending plan Wednesday that uses California's growing surplus to fund new initiatives aimed at providing relief to the poor.

The new budget beginning next month will establish an earned income tax credit for working-poor families, boost the number of state-subsidized child care slots and expand state-funded health care coverage to children from low-income families who are in the country illegally.

The state also will adopt an amnesty program for residents who can't afford to pay off spiraling court fines and traffic penalties that have resulted in 4.8 million driver's license suspensions since 2006.

Brown announced the signing with a brief message on Twitter. The governor included a photo of himself with his fellow Democratic leaders, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins of San Diego and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/92b02fcb87f645bca5d48c4aa5dd92af/governor-signs-california-budget-anti-poverty-efforts

[randys1]

1. Great state, that drivers license deal is real smart and good for people I know

[KamaAina]

2. Very minimal anti-poverty efforts

The legislature passed a cost of living increase for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Brown did away with it.

The legislature passed expanded state-funded health care coverage for everyone from low-income families who are undocumented. Brown did away with it for adults.

[SunSeeker]

3. This is exactly what you should do with any surplus.

Help those who need it most.