The governor's proposed budget will hurt the disabled and elderly

In-Home support workers help the neediest of seniors with their daily lives. These elderly cannot afford the costly retirement homes that have become the staple of American senior citizenship. Because of the daily efforts of these workers, however, this group is cared for; they always have a warm meal, medical care and a clean household. So why is it that the governor and legislators want to drastically cut the wages for people who do such important work?

The March for California’s Future has come across many of these workers through UDW. We’ve been able to turn out more than 200 members in Merced and Modesto, setting up the rallies at the Sierra Presbyterian Church and Graceada Park. Several of our own have made an incredible commitment to the march. Raul Romero and Bobby Benoit, serve as support staff for the entire march. Out of San Diego Sandra Castillo ans Geshalem Perez have given support for several weeks as well. If the governor’s proposed wage cuts pass, many of the counties the march has gone through will be the hardest hit. Fresno County will lose a staggering 49 million dollars in compensation. Sacramento County will lose nearly 97 million dollars. We’re talking about cutting wages from $12.00/hr all the way down to the minimum wage of $8.00/hr.

The first week, a woman named Hilda Beltran pulled off the side of the road with fruits and water for the marchers. She spent the whole morning trying to track them down and finally did on her way to work. She works at Delano Regional Medical Center in a program called “Health and Well Being Promoters.” She helps with healthy families applications and disability forms. The program is now in limbo. People are on the waiting list waiting to hear if the program will be reinstated or not. She expressed that if they’re going after her program, in-home care would be next.

People like Hilda, members of UDW and other home and healthcare workers throughout the state know we’ve reached a critical point. It’s time to stand up and tell the governor and legislators “Game Over!”