State Assemblymembers and Senators Stand United with Vulnerable Californians and UDW Caregivers at State Capitol to Reject Harmful Cuts to Services
Watch the recording of today’s press conference HERE.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –Today, United Domestic Workers (UDW) Executive Director Doug Moore, President Astrid Zuniga, and home care providers joined California legislators and home care recipients to defend the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program against cuts. UDW is one of California’s largest labor unions, representing more than 250,000 care workers across the state.
Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-La Mesa) and Patrick Ahrens (D-Silicon Valley) joined Assemblymembers and Senators, to uniformly reject cuts to California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that serves 905,000 vulnerable seniors, children, and people with disabilities with basic needs.
Assemblymember Sharp-Collins authored the letter to the Assembly Committee on Budget signed by Ahrens and 30 other Assemblymembers and Senators rejecting proposed IHSS cuts.
Assemblymember Sharp-Collins said, “IHSS provides for essential daily activities, including bathing, meal preparation, medication management, and mobility for seniors, children, and disabled Californians. IHSS providers ensure recipients remain safe, healthy, and housed in their communities. We cannot risk shifting costs, cutting services, or destabilizing the caregiving workforce. We must support a system that keeps people safe and supports working families. This is not only a life-saving service, but it also represents long-term savings to the State through early intervention and avoiding the significant cost of care facilities.”
Last week Assembly Democrats, led by Speaker Robert Rivas, released the Road Map to a Responsible and Compassionate Budget which states, “The Legislature should reject the proposed [IHSS] cuts.” In April the California State Senate, led by Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, released its Foundation for the Future budget plan that maintains existing funding for IHSS and rejects the proposed cuts.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens said, “I am proud to stand with leaders and colleagues in the legislature to fully reject cuts to IHSS that would harm seniors, kids, and disabled people that rely on this lifeline program for help with basic needs. We cannot balance our budgets on the backs of vulnerable Californians, cutting services that ultimately cost us more in the long run.”
The 2026-27 Proposed Budget released in January included cuts totaling $323 million, including shifting the state’s share of IHSS hours-per-case growth entirely to struggling counties as well as defunding the IHSS Residual and Backup Provider System programs that provide continuity of care in case of lapse of Medi-Cal coverage or a regular caregiver becoming unavailable.
“The IHSS program ensures that nearly a million Californians can receive the life-saving care they need in the comfort and dignity of their homes, rather than at expensive institutions. We cannot allow cuts to this program to go through and hurt providers and their recipients,” shared Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director.
Governor Newsom will issue the May Revision update of General Fund revenues and expenditures on May 14, 2026. Through April 30, California income taxes exceeded the January forecast by $10.9 billion.
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UDW represents more than 250,000 dedicated home care and family child care providers across California. Their members are the backbone of care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families—fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and policies that strengthen our communities.
Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins represents the 79th Assembly District including southeastern San Diego. She serves on the Assembly Committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Budget, Health, Higher Education, Public Safety, Transportation, and Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services. Assemblymember Dr. Sharp-Collins is the Co-Chair of the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition and a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens represents the Silicon Valley in the California State Assembly for District 26. He serves on the Assembly Committees on Budget, Business and Professions, Health, Rules, Transportation, and Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services. Assemblymember Ahrens is the Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and a member of the California Legislative Jewish and Bay Area Caucuses.