Despite the Assembly proposing a $73 million increase and the Senate proposing a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program, California’s final 2016-17 budget did not include either proposal. To address this issue, Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) has proposed AB 1426 as a stop-gap measure to provide struggling programs with some relief. The bill would increase the ASES daily rate to $8.50 (beginning July 1, 2017) within existing funding, and provide more flexibility in program operations. AB 1426 will continue through the legislative process after Summer Recess. An additional bill AB 2615 is being advanced by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) to make several technical changes to ASES, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) programs. Learn more about state policy and how you can take action by visiting CA3 and subscribing to their newsletter, and accessing information from the Save Afterschool Campaign.