RUNNER'S OFFICE PICKETED ANGRY CAREGIVERS FORCE CONFRONTATION OVER PAY, BUDGET IMPASSE.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Child-care providers picketed Assemblyman George Runner's office Wednesday to protest the state budget impasse, which has resulted in a delay in their payments from the state.

More than 20 adults and children holding placards marched down Lancaster Boulevard to Runner's office, chanting, ``Children before politics, Runner must sign,'' referring to Runner's refusal to sign on to Gov. Gray Davis' proposed spending plan.

``We're here to inform George Runner that we know what's happening with the state budget. We are urging him to be part of the solution and not be part of the problem,'' Robin Tarver, who cares for 16 children, said before the march. ``The state budget is not being passed. It's not passed due to Republicans in the Assembly not signing on, and he's one of them.''

The day-care operators were part of a group called ACORN Childcare Providers for Action, which represents more than 80 child-care providers in the Antelope Valley, group members said.

ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is a Washington, D.C.-based group with an office in Los Angeles that organizes in low-income communities.

The protesters said they provide child-care services under state subsidies for low- and middle-income families, the working poor and people trying to get off welfare.

Runner arrived at his office to find the lobby area crowded with protesters. The demonstration turned contentious when a protester repeatedly interrupted Runner as he was trying to explain his opposition to the increased taxes in the proposed budget.

When the man wouldn't stop talking and began to raise his voice, Runner turned to his staff and said, ``Call the CHP,'' and walked toward the back of his office, saying he would talk to reporters in another room.

As Runner walked away, Tarver followed him and pressed into his hand a certificate naming him Turkey of the Year, for ``delaying child care payments due to (the) state budget impasse.''

A sheriff's deputy arrived at the office as the protesters were leaving.

Once alone with reporters, Runner said the proposed budget is a bad plan in light of the state's fiscal crisis and nearly $24 billion shortfall.

It increases taxes on motorists, calls for $1 billion in new programs, and includes $500 million in spending that Davis opposed but the Senate put back in, Runner said.

``When you're in trouble, you don't spend more money, you spend less money,'' Runner said. ``It increases taxes, continues to grow government, and it's completely inappropriate.''

As for child-care providers' concerns about not being paid on time, Runner said he would support an ongoing budget that would meet the basic needs of people in the state while negotiations on a new budget continue.

As for the earlier disruption, Runner told reporters, ``I would have been glad to address them and have a conversation. Obviously, there was no desire to have a conversation. That didn't do anyone any good.''

Tarver said afterward that she was insulted that Runner ``talked politics in front of children and parents.'' Tarver said no one wants to pay higher motor vehicle fees, but that she would be willing to pay more ``to keep working families working.''

The protest came after child-care providers received a letter from the Child Care Resource Center, which disburses payments from the state, that said payments will be frozen for most providers beginning in August until a state budget is passed or the state releases additional funds.

``How do you run a business with no money?'' - not to mention paying the mortgage, employees and health insurance costs - Tarver said before the march.

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Day-care workers and kids with picket signs leave the Lancaster Public Library heading for Assemblyman George Runner's office.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer