Reyna

This case presents the single legal issue of the meaning of Welfare and Institutions Code section 11250.4. Appellant, the Director of the Department of Social Services (hereafter the state), argues that the statute prohibits payment of aid to families with dependent children (hereafter AFDC) to those participating in a strike. Respondents argue that section 11250.4 restricts such payments only where the federal government participates in funding AFDC benefits. In light of the clear language of the statute and the relevant legislative history, we conclude that section 11250.4 restricts AFDC payments to strikers only when there is federal financial participation.

Prior to June 1, 1983, plaintiff Manuel Reyna was employed and provided the sole source of income to his family. On June 1, his labor union instituted a strike and Reyna became unemployed. In Jirne and July, the Reyna family applied for public assistance and were told that they were ineligible because of Manuel Reyna’s status as a striker. The state concedes that the Reynas would have been eligible for state-only AFDC payments but for the strike issue.

On August 11, 1983, Manuel Reyna, his wife and the California…