Governor Eliminates State Funding to Domestic Violence Programs, Endangering the Lives of Countless Women and Children Across the State.
 
July 30, 2009—Governor Schwarzenegger is abandoning California’s most vulnerable citizens. On Tuesday, he single-handedly slashed critical programs and services for domestic violence victims and their children. His line-item veto of the Department of Public Health’s Domestic Violence Program completely eliminates $20.4 million for 94 domestic violence shelters and puts the lives of tens of thousands of women and children in peril.

Last week the Legislature approved a 20% reduction to the program but the Assembly’s rejection of two key proposals left a deficit that the Governor sought to fill with additional cuts to health and human services. Lawmakers and advocates are investigating legal options to restore funding. But if the veto holds, the safety net of domestic violence shelters that reach every county in California is at risk. Shelters across the state are being forced to lay off staff and eliminate services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy and counseling. Some shelters will be forced to close, leaving a huge gap for women and children in need.

This is a tragedy because these shelters and anti-violence agencies offer victims an escape, a lifeline to rebuild safe, healthy lives free from fear and violence. The Governor’s decision to eliminate these services will cost the state millions of dollars in added health care, law enforcement, loss of employment and other social costs, and it could cost many women and children their lives and futures.

“At Asian Women’s Shelter, we are shocked by the Governor’s action. The budget cut means a loss of our entire Department of Public Health grant which totals $207,000 for our services, including emergency shelter and intensive case management for both women and children,” said Beckie Masaki, Executive Director. “This is our largest annual grant and we also use a portion of this funding to support our community partners, API Legal Outreach, Cameron House, and Narika. This is a huge loss for our agency and community partners, the entire state network of Domestic Violence Shelters, and the countless women and children whose lives will now be at risk due to the lack of resources.”

We stand together with our state coalition, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and others throughout the state to protest the governor’s action and call on the state legislature to do everything in its power to restore funding to domestic violence programs and other vital health services for the most vulnerable Californians. Call the Governor's office at 916-445-2841 or use this easy action alert tool to send a message to the Governor and your state legislators:

http://www.capwiz.com/sfvo/issues/alert/?alertid=13807706&type=ML

Together we will change crisis into opportunity, and transform violence into peace and equality.

Contact: Vanessa Flores
Telephone: (415) 751-7110 x 310
vanessa@sfaws.org