Gov. Gavin Newsom, accompanied by city leaders and public safety officials, convened on Wednesday to advocate for Proposition 1, a comprehensive overhaul of California’s mental health system slated for the state’s March 5 primary election ballot. The proposed measure aims to revamp the existing Mental Health Services Act and introduce a $6.4-billion bond, designated to create an additional 10,000 behavioral-health beds. This initiative also involves redirecting existing funds towards expanding services for substance abuse and mental health.Â
Speaking at the Los Angeles General Medical Center, Newsom, joined by mental health professionals, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, emphasized the urgency of change. “We can’t continue to do what we’ve done,” Newsom remarked, underscoring the necessity of Proposition 1. He affirmed that the proposed changes align with the needs expressed by the public, incorporating vital elements into the initiative.Â
The California Legislature, in a rare display of bipartisan support, approved placing Newsom’s plan on the ballot in September. Proponents argue that Proposition 1 addresses critical deficiencies in the Mental Health Services Act, initially endorsed by voters in 2004. This act introduced a 1% tax on personal income exceeding $1 million annually, allocated to fund county mental health services.Â
Proposition 1 proposes diverting 30% of this funding, roughly $1 billion annually, towards supportive housing for individuals grappling with severe mental illness or substance use disorders. Mayor Bass emphasized the significance of this new funding model, which targets the root causes of homelessness rather than merely treating its symptoms. “We can get people off the street, but you have to address why they were unhoused to begin with,” she stressed.Â
However, not everyone supports Proposition 1. Opponents argue that it could disrupt the mental health services already administered by counties. Paul Simmons, director of Californians Against Proposition 1, expressed his concerns, contending that the Mental Health Services Act is effective in its current state and that building more behavioral-health beds is not the solution. “I believe it’s going to do more harm than good.
They’re not building housing for the homeless; they’re just locking them up,” Simmons stated, highlighting the potential adverse effects of diverting $1 billion in funds away from mental health resources for counties.Â
Despite the opposition, polling data suggests substantial support for Proposition 1 among Californians. According to a December poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, two-thirds of likely voters indicated they would vote in favor of the proposition. A separate poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and conducted in November, found that 60% of likely voters supported the measure, with only 15% having prior knowledge of the proposal.Â
As the primary advocate for the ballot measure, Newsom has been actively securing support from a diverse range of city and state officials. He asserted that Proposition 1, if approved, would enable California to make tangible progress in addressing the homelessness crisis. The governor’s commitment to this initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to mental health reform, emphasizing both infrastructure improvements and a shift in funding priorities to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by those in need.Â
News Reference Â
Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-03/newsom-urges-support-for-mental-health-funding-reform.
