California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released a proposed state budget that would radically slash the funding for the state's comprehensive family planning services. Family PACT has been providing free family planning services— including birth control, STD testing, pre-natal care, and more— to low income women in California for the past 11 years.

For every dollar that the state spends on Family PACT, the federal government matches it with nine more dollars. Moreover, for every dollar that California spends on family planning services, it ultimately saves $9.25 in future costs associated with unintended pregnancy. In fact, Laurie Weaver, the chief of the California health department's Office of Family Planning, says that the program saves the state and federal government nearly a billion dollars every two years. 

This proposed cut to Family PACT is harmful to women and families in California. Tell Governor Schwarzenegger that the 2010-2011 state budget must include funding for this vital family planning program.