In early March, Assembly Bill 1520, the Lifting Children and Families out of Poverty Act of 2017, was introduced by Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke (D-Marina Del Ray).  This legislation would commit the California State Legislature to cut California’s child poverty rate in half within 20 years as well as providing a comprehensive framework of research-backed solutions to reach this target. 

California has the highest rate of child poverty in the country when taking into account cost of living expenses. Child poverty targets have proven successful as a strategy for reducing child poverty because they provide a mechanism for advocates, media, and the public to hold the government accountable to take action and come up with a strategy to meet the target.

First Focus Campaign for Children has endorsed AB 1520 with this letter of support. We applaud lawmakers and advocates in California for setting an example for the nation with this landmark legislation.

Read the letter here.