Jessica Ramey Stender, Policy Director at Equal Rights Advocates, expressed her deep concern regarding proposed budget cuts in a recent statement. She urged the Legislature to consider revenue solutions to safeguard vulnerable Californians and support their future well-being.
“California must make necessary investments to ensure Californians can meet basic needs.” “We strongly support proposed investments in SSI and CalWORKs in the May Revision,” said Ramey Stender. “We are deeply concerned about proposed cuts that would harm women, families, and vulnerable communities in our state. We urge the Legislature to push for revenue solutions to close budget shortfalls, protect our most vulnerable communities, and support healthy futures for families across our state.”
Millions of Californians are reportedly facing difficulties in affording basic necessities due to rising living costs, inflation, and the end of pandemic-era supports such as CalFresh emergency food benefits and the expanded federal Child Tax Credit. According to the California Budget & Policy Center, this decline in affordability is evident as many individuals find themselves unable to sustain themselves on existing assistance programs. The pressures align with Stender’s statement emphasizing that Californians “cannot afford to live.”
The California Budget & Policy Center further highlights that both low- and middle-income households across California are experiencing significant housing burdens. In numerous regions, at least one-third of households spend over 30% of their income on housing, while more than one in six allocate over half of their income, leading to severe cost pressures on basic living budgets. These challenges are particularly pronounced among people of color, who make up over two-thirds of those affected, positioning housing as a central issue in the state’s affordability crisis.
Essential workers such as teachers, nurses, firefighters, and social workers are increasingly being priced out of the communities they serve, especially in California’s coastal and urban areas where housing costs are exceptionally high. This situation highlights a decline in economic mobility and underscores how legislative and zoning policies have failed to ensure affordability. These issues resonate with Stender’s concerns about families’ futures.
Stender also serves as Deputy Legal Director at Equal Rights Advocates, where she leads state and federal policy advocacy efforts focused on pay equity, harassment prevention, gender discrimination, and economic security for women and families.
