Listen to this note:
The ballot received by registered voters in San Mateo County will give them the opportunity to decide whether to support or oppose Proposition 1, which seeks addiction treatment and mental health care reform, as well as bonds to build treatment facilities and housing.
But what does this mean?
Proposition 1 authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment centers for people with mental health and substance abuse issues and seeks to provide housing for the homeless.
If accepted, it amends the Mental Health Services Act to provide additional behavioral health services.
Tax impact: Transfer approximately $140 million annually from existing county tax revenues to the state for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment. Increased state bond payment costs of $310 million annually for 30 years.
Supporters of this proposal: California Professional Firefighters; California Association of Veterans Service Agencies; National Alliance on Mental Illness of California Opponents: Mental Health America of California; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; CalVoices.
What does your vote mean?
One vote for YEAH This measure means: Counties would need to shift some of the mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment services they currently provide to focus more on housing and personalized support services. The state could borrow up to $6.4 billion to build (1) more places where people can get mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment and (2) more housing for people with those problems.
One vote for NO This measure means: Counties would not need to change the mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment services they currently provide. The state would not be able to borrow up to $6.4 billion to build more places where people can get mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment and more housing for people in that situation.
Arguments
Pros: Proposition 1 addresses California's urgent homelessness, mental health, and addiction crisis by authorizing $6.4 billion in bonds and allocating billions more annually to expand mental health and addiction services, build permanent supportive housing, and assist homeless veterans.
Cons: Prop 1 is huge, expensive, and destructive. It costs more than $10 billion, but it is not a “solution” for homelessness. Now is a bad time for new bonds and debt. Prop 1 cuts funding for mental health programs that work. Mental health advocates and taxpayer groups oppose it.
For additional information on Proposition 1 being pushed by Governor Gavin Newsom's Ballot Initiative Committee, voters can visit the website TreatmentNotTents.com.
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