Sacramento, CA – Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement on the State Budget signed by Governor Brown:
“I applaud Governor Brown and my colleagues in the Legislature for passing and signing into law a balanced and cautiously measured budget. However, I am gravely disappointed by the additional blue pencil reduction of $5 million for preschool and the state’s overall latch-key approach toward early education and child care.
Under the leadership of Speaker John A. Pérez, the State Assembly championed the need for greater access to early childhood programs including $250 million in our version of the budget. However this critical investment in the future of our children was eventually cut to under $100 million.
90% of a child’s brain development occurs from age zero to five. Studies show that quality early education and child care can dramatically increase high school graduation rates and reduce the likelihood of a child growing up to become a criminal by 70%. Failing to invest early in children’s education and care is equivalent to building bridges with plaster and tin or laying high speed rail on shifting soil. Despite the disappointing cuts to early education and child care, I hope to work with Governor Brown as we move forward to implement key changes in policy that will prevent us from squandering the state’s key to global competitiveness: our children,” said Assembly Member Rendon.
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Assembly Member Anthony Rendon is a former executive director of early head start programs and was elected to the Legislature in November of 2012 to represent the 63rd Assembly District. The 63rd Assembly District covers the cities and communities of Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, North Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, and South Gate.
CONTACT: Bill Wong, Office (916) 319-3692, Cell (916) 708-2828, bill.wong@asm.ca.gov