BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SJR 16
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SJR
16 (De León)
As Introduced July 9, 2015
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 35-0
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Accountability |9-0 |Salas, Lackey, | |
| | |Brough, Burke, | |
| | |Cooley, Beth Gaines, | |
| | |Irwin, Medina, | |
| | |Rodriguez | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Urges Congress to protect and sustain full funding for
the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the
federal agency that administers various national service
programs, including AmeriCorps. Specifically, this resolution:
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1)Makes various findings and declarations relating to the
significance of the CNCS and AmeriCorps in California,
including the following:
a) This year, the CNCS has committed more than $108 million
to support California communities through national service
initiatives; and,
b) The CNCS provides vital support to schools, food banks,
homeless shelters, community health clinics, youth centers,
veterans service facilities, and other nonprofit and
faith-based organizations at a time of growing demand for
services in many of the state's most impoverished
communities; and,
c) This year, AmeriCorps is providing more than 7,600
individuals the opportunity to provide intensive,
results-driven service to meet the pressing needs in
communities across California; and,
d) National service programs are cost effective and
represent a smart investment for the nation and for the
State of California because, with every dollar invested in
national service, there is a return to society of $3.95 in
terms of higher earnings, more output, and other
community-wide benefits; and, every federal dollar invested
in national service yields $2.20 in savings to other
government programs.
2)Urges Congress to protect and fully fund the CNCS to ensure
the continuation of critically needed services, expand
opportunities, and save taxpayer dollars through essential
national service programs like AmeriCorps.
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EXISTING LAW establishes AmeriCorps in California primarily
through California Volunteers (Cal Volunteers), the state entity
in the Governor's Office that manages programs and initiatives
for service and volunteerism.
FISCAL EFFECT: None. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by
the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS: AmeriCorps is a national network of hundreds of
programs that engage Americans in intensive service each year at
nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and
faith-based groups across the country. The CNCS administers
three AmeriCorps programs: AmeriCorps State and National, whose
members serve with national and local nonprofit and community
groups; AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA),
through which members serve full time fighting poverty; and
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a
team-based residential program for young adults ages 18 to 24
who carry out projects in public safety, the environment, youth
development, and disaster relief and preparedness.
Recently, there have been various discussions at the federal
level to cut the CNCS by almost $500 million less than what CNCS
has requested in the fiscal year 2016 Budget. According to the
President's Office of Management and Budget, these cuts would
force AmeriCorps to drop many of its 25,000 service areas and
projects across the country; prompt the closure of multiple
AmeriCorps NCCC campuses, including in California; and,
essentially eliminate the ability of the CNCS to carry out its
programs by deeply reducing its administrative budget.
The author is concerned that these proposed cuts could result in
the elimination of up to 40,000 AmeriCorps positions and the
loss of over $120 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs in
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California. The author contends that protecting and maintaining
full funding for the CNCS will ensure that these cost-effective
programs and benefits continue in California and throughout the
nation. The author adds that the support of the California
Legislature, through this resolution, is critical to ensure
Congress understands the vital role of national service programs
in California.
Analysis Prepared by:
Cassie Royce / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600 FN:
0001589