On June 1, 2011, 200 Stockton leaders traveled down to Modesto to join with over 600 Central Valley leaders in a Prayer Vigil on the State Budget. This event included a wide range of cultures and faith traditions. Among the speakers were the Catholic Diocese of Stockton Bishop Blaire, Rev. Amelia Adams from the Open Door House of Prayer, Rev. John Harris from White Rose COGIC, and senior citizen Gloria Garcia. Part of the evening included a report of some of the devastation that recent state budget cuts have had. The Healthy Families Program was cut by $38.5 million affecting 55,000 children from low income families including 648 from San Joaquin County. The SSI/SSP program was cut by $192 million affecting approximately 8,500 seniors and people with disabilities. The evening ended with a call to sign on to a common faith statement. Staff from 2 of the valley legislative districts attended the event.

On May 19, 2011 close to 100 residents gathered at Central United Methodist Church to learn and talk about the devastating local impacts of state budget cuts.

The state budget is a local budget. Seventy-five cents of every dollar spent in the state’s general fund is for local assistance. Roberta Furger of PICO California gave a power point presentation on the State Budget, where the funds go and the local impact of cuts.