Gov. Brown’s Budget Proposal Restores Cuts to Calif. IHSS

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on January 7 released his proposal for the state’s FY17 budget, which includes $9.2 billion for the state’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.

The proposed IHSS funding would restore numerous cuts that have been made to the program since the onset of the recession in 2008.

Approximately one-third ($3 billion) of the IHSS allotment will be in the form of general funds.

Additionally, $450 million of the proposed funding is to be directed towards paying the overtime wages for the estimated 376,000 home care workers employed through IHSS.

The overtime funding is a response to a new federal rule change requiring home care employers to pay workers time-and-a-half wages for overtime hours.

Last year’s budget included $270 million directed toward IHSS for paying the increased overtime wages.

The state legislature will consider Brown’s proposed budget. It has until June 15 to pass a final budget bill.

— by Matthew Ozga