To: Governor Gavin Newsom
Stop punishing children born into poverty: Sign SB 23, Gov. Brown
Gov. Brown, I strongly urge you to sign Senate Bill 23 to repeal the Maximum Family Grant rule. This rule denies CalWORKs benefits to infants born into a household in which any member is receiving aid. The long-term consequences of extreme poverty during the crucial first years of life far outweigh any short-term savings from limiting grants. These children deserve our protection, not punishment.
Why is this important?
Please join our interfaith coalition in asking Gov. Brown to sign Senate Bill 23, which will repeal the Maximum Family Grant rule. Right now, a child who is born into an impoverished family that already receives CalWORKs assistance receives no additional benefits – not even the modest additional benefit of $128 a month to help provide the things all young children need. (State law provides for a very few exemptions for children conceived as a result of rape or incest, or from the failure of certain types of birth control – forcing a mother to disclose personal and confidential medical information in order to receive aid for the newborn.)
This harsh rule was instituted in the 1990's with the supposed goal of reducing birthrates among impoverished parents. There is no evidence that this has happened. Instead the policy has harmed children, driving families deeper into extreme poverty and homelessness and subjecting little ones to long-term negative consequences during their most vulnerable years.
Our state is wealthy - the seventh largest economy in the world, yet 27 percent of our children live in poverty - the highest rate in the nation. Surely we can do better by our children. Repealing the Maximum Family Grant rule is a good place to start. Please sign this petition today and let Gov. Brown know where you stand.
National Council of Jewish Women, California
Lutheran Office of Public Policy, California
California Catholic Conference
California Church IMPACT
Friends Committee on Legislation of California