improving public policies for low- and middle-income californians

“People come up to me in the farmer’s market and tell me that they love the work we do,” said Jean Ross, founding Executive Director of the California Budget Project (CBP).

Founded in 1994, the CBP serves as a resource to the media, policymakers, and state and local constituency groups seeking accurate information and analysis of a range of state policy issues. Through independent fiscal and policy analysis, public education, and collaboration with other organizations, the CBP works to improve public policies that affect the economic and social well-being of low- and middle-income Californians.

Among its many successes over the years, the CBP helped California food advocates changes the state's asset limit rules for the food stamp program. It provided key data and lent credibility to the group's efforts. Jean reflects, “When you give people the tools to help them do what they do better, it moves you toward system change. I'm proud that our work has helped create a more sophisticated voice around policies that affect poor Californians.”