SACRAMENTO – The leaders of the California Latino Legislative Caucus made the following statements today after Governor Gavin Newsom announced his revised 2020-21 State Budget proposal:
“Immigrants are the backbone of our state and have been serving as essential workers throughout this crisis. We are disappointed, but not surprised by the Governor’s actions to go backward on health for all. We also are disappointed that ITIN tax filers were once again left out from accessing the EITC,” said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chairwoman of the Latino Caucus. “Our undocumented workers and mixed status families are being dramatically left behind during these times.”
The governor’s updated budget, also known as the May Revise, does not include an expansion of full-scope Medi-Cal to undocumented adults, a legislative priority for the Latino Caucus in order to support some of California’s most vulnerable residents. The revised proposal also falls short in making the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) available to hundreds of thousands of immigrant residents who file their taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The CalEITC is a refundable tax credit that puts money back in the pockets of low-income working people. Modeled off the Federal EITC, it is one of the most effective tools for lifting people out of poverty. But even if one person in a household files their taxes with an ITIN, the whole family loses eligibility for this credit.
“We are living in unprecedented times that call for unprecedented measures. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Latino communities are being affected disproportionately, experiencing higher cases and deaths. I am extremely disappointed that health for seniors in California will not be a priority in this newly revised budget or that ITIN filers will be excluded from the EITC program once again. The State budget is a declaration of our values and priorities. We need programs that prioritize and include all members of our state," said State Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus.
For questions or to schedule an interview with a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, contact Sami Gallegos: Samantha.Gallegos@asm.ca.gov
