As the June 30 deadline loomed this week for delivery of the state budget, California Catholic Conference lobbyists expressed "cautious optimism" that two key line items in the proposed budget would survive without major changes: the restoration of funding for naturalization programs and continued funding for some low-income health services.

At press time, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to have the budget in place within days of the deadline, avoiding weeks-late budget scenarios of the last few years which have caused disruptions in government services.

"The budget is not as draconian as it could have been, considering the governor's pledge not to raise taxes," said Carol Hogan, CCC associate director for pastoral projects and communications. While Hogan conceded that the $1.5 million set aside for naturalization funding was not much money compared to the $102.8-billion budget, it was 100 percent more than the zero funding allotted last year and represents "such a good use" of the money.

According to Al Hernandez, CCC lobbyist and associate director for Hispanic Affairs, a broad coalition of religious groups and social service agencies lobbying for the naturalization funding was "well-received" by the governor's staff last week. Among those joining the effort: California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative, Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, National Council of La Raza and Stockton Catholic Charities.

Almost every diocese in California participates in naturalization programs, said Hernandez. He estimated that one-quarter of naturalization services statewide is provided through Catholic social service agencies.

Locally, cuts in naturalization funding combined with recent fee hikes raising the current application cost to $390 per person has "greatly impacted people who want to apply for citizenship," said Loc Nguyen, director of immigration and refugee services for Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. While immigrants can apply for a "fee waiver," it is not easy to get and further delays the naturalization process, noted Nguyen.

As far as the impact of funding cuts proposed in the January budget draft, Hernandez said "encouraging actions" were taken in the May budget proposal revisions. He was pleased eligibility guidelines were "saved" for Medi-Cal recipients and funding was restored for health services to pregnant undocumented women. In addition, proposed funding is available for male prostate cancer screening and female breast cancer screening for low-income individuals.

At the same time, Hernandez said it was "still somewhat disappointing" that no progress had been made on the CalWORKs "social service side." The CCC, said Hernandez, is "really opposed to cutting basic grants" for families on CalWORKs. Proposed cuts to monthly cash grants range from 5 to 25 percent.

Regarding the ongoing debate on in-home health supportive services reforms, indications are that Gov. Schwarzenegger may not reduce salaries of in-home health workers to minimum wage levels as proposed, said Hernandez. However, the governor may consider other reforms, including ways to monitor the number of hours and compensation received by such workers.