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Advocates push back after May revision proposes VOCA uncertainty and ends flexible crime‑survivor cash pilot
Summary
Lawmakers and stakeholders pressed the administration on uncertain VOCA federal allocations and criticized the May revision proposal to eliminate a $49.7 million flexible cash assistance pilot; multiple advocacy groups urged a one-time VOCA backfill and restoration of flexible supports
The subcommittee discussed federal VOCA funding uncertainty and a proposed elimination of a flexible cash assistance pilot for crime survivors during the May revision hearing, and numerous public commenters urged restoration of victim-service funding.
Senator Lackey and members asked Department of Finance and LAO staff whether the administration had contingency funding to backfill VOCA if federal allocations decreased. Department of Finance officials said the state has not yet received federal allocation numbers for VOCA and therefore has not included a state backfill in the May revision; the LAO said the underlying VOCA fund cap is in better condition than last year but cautioned that the formula and allocation remain uncertain.
The administration proposed eliminating a $49.7 million one‑time flexible cash assistance pilot for survivors that had been appropriated in the 2022 budget act. Department of Finance staff described the pilot as a one-time program and said revenue constraints motivated the proposed cut. LAO representatives recommended limited reporting and contingency planning for grant programs and advised the committee to ask OES for options in case federal matching funds decline.
Public comment at the hearing included multiple victim-service providers and coalitions (including representatives of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Valor US, local crisis centers and others) urging the Legislature to restore VOCA funding or provide a one-time backfill. Several speakers said VOCA provides most funding for local sexual-assault and domestic-violence services and that cuts would reduce shelters, counseling and forensic services.
Speakers representing organized labor and probation also warned the committee that cuts to these funds could harm local services and impede implementation of criminal justice reforms that rely on local treatment capacity. Committee members asked the administration for additional reporting and noted the Legislature could consider one-time backfill options while awaiting federal VOCA allocations.
