Sacramento, CA- The following statement can be attributed to Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, on the State Assembly Democrat’s 2026-27 Budget Proposal:

“The California State Assembly today acted boldly to protect the millions of Californians who risk losing Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits due to cruel cuts in H.R. 1, while also rejecting the Administration’s proposed cuts to In-Home Support Services. Assemblymembers heard our message that investing in our county eligibility workforce, our First Responders to Poverty, is the best tool we have to help more Californians retain these life-saving benefits.

“We applaud Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel and Budget Subcommittee Chairs Dr. Corey Jackson and Dawn Addis, and champions Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, Pilar Schiavo, and Matt Haney for recognizing the indispensable role of county workers in mitigating a federally provoked hunger and health care crisis. When adequately funded and trained to support our most vulnerable neighbors and community members, nothing can replace the high-touch, human-to-human support provided by our county eligibility workforce when it comes to helping Californians meet their basic needs.

“The Assembly joins the State Senate in demonstrating that H.R. 1’s cruel cuts are not a foregone conclusion but can be mitigated through critical investments in the county eligibility workforce. 

“We urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to join lawmakers in the bold action necessary to shield Californians from the cruel cuts made by Donald Trump and Congress. With difficult CalFresh requirements going into effect June 1, there is no time for delay. For millions of people and families, the support of a county eligibility worker will mean the difference between a meal on the table or going hungry; the difference between going to the doctor or letting an illness reach a life-threatening crisis.”