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Assembly adopts resolution urging Congress to protect and increase Head Start funding
Summary
The California State Assembly on June 4, 2025, unanimously adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 12, urging the U.S. Congress and president to protect and increase funding for the Head Start program serving more than 80,000 California children.
The California State Assembly on June 4, 2025, unanimously adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 12 (AJR 12), urging the U.S. Congress and president to protect and increase funding for the Head Start program that serves more than 80,000 children in California.
AJR 12, presented by Assemblymember Hadwick and coauthored by Assemblymember Aarons and others, recognizes May 2025 as Head Start Month and calls on federal leaders to maintain and expand funding for the program, which the resolution describes as providing early childhood education as well as health, nutrition, social, emotional, behavioral and dental services.
Assemblymember Hadwick, the bill's lead author, said the resolution is personal: "Head Start gave me a safe place to learn, to grow, and to be seen." Hadwick told colleagues that in many rural counties Head Start is often the only option for early education and childcare, and that the program allowed parents to work while their children received services.
Coauthor Assemblymember Aarons framed AJR 12 as a bipartisan appeal, noting 66 assembly coauthors and 32 senators had signed an April 24 letter to California's congressional delegation urging protection of federal Head Start funding.
Other legislators described local impacts. Assemblymember Bonta said Head Start served more than 80,000 California children and kept more than 26,000 Californians employed, and that the program provides dental care and health services for children in need. Assemblymember Quirk Silva and Assemblymember Muratsuchi emphasized early childhood development as foundational to later school success.
Roll call results recorded 70 Aye, 0 No; the resolution was adopted.
The resolution does not appropriate state funds or change program eligibility; it is a formal statement urging the federal government to maintain and increase funding for Head Start.
Votes and next steps: AJR 12 will be transmitted as a formal request to the state's congressional delegation and the president as specified in the resolution.
