March 20, 2012, 6:31 PM
The state will not appeal a court ruling that rejected its attempt to divert $1 billion from First 5 commissions, California Watch has learned. The state informed First 5 commissions of its decision Monday, the deadline for appeal. Its decision ends a yearlong budget battle and frees up...
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November 29, 2011, 12:05 AM
California's attempt to divert $1 billion from First 5 commissions to state health services is illegal, a Fresno County judge ruled last week. Lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown had sought First 5 funds in March to help close what was then a $26 billion budget shortfall. After...
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November 11, 2011, 6:03 PM
Evelyn Martinez, executive director of First 5 LA, resigned late yesterday, less than three weeks after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors started the legal process to take over the independent agency that uses tobacco taxes to fund early childhood development programs. The Board...
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September 19, 2011, 12:05 AM
Compensation for executive directors of an early childhood development program in California counties ranged from $47,803 to more than $240,000 in fiscal year 2009-10, according to a California Watch analysis. Median compensation for the executive directors of First 5 county commissions...
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May 20, 2011, 12:05 AM
When Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled his revised budget Monday, he sent a mixed message to First 5 commissions throughout the state: On one hand, the budget would no longer include taking $1 billion from them. On the other, the state would still pursue those funds. Any relief commissions felt...
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April 15, 2011, 12:06 AM
The First 5 commission in Los Angeles announced yesterday that it will sue the state over legislation that transfers $1 billion from early childhood development programs to state health services. First 5 LA joins a growing list of commissions challenging the legislation, signed by Gov. Jerry...
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April 12, 2011, 4:05 PM
First 5 commissions in four counties have filed legal challenges to legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown that shifts $1 billion from early childhood development programs to state health services – and more commissions are considering follow suit. Although Brown originally sought...
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March 10, 2011, 12:05 AM
State lawmakers are expected to vote soon on a budget that includes a $1 billion shift from Proposition 10 to Medi-Cal. The move will likely result in deep cuts to services and programs for early childhood development, with the state's most populous counties taking the hit. Proposition 10...
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January 13, 2011, 12:05 AM
To help close a $25.4 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed reallocating $1 billion in reserves from Proposition 10, which uses tobacco taxes to fund "First 5" childhood development programs, to Medi-Cal. But that's money First 5 says it does not have. Voters...
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