RED BLUFF — While some are cheering the passing of Proposition 1, others locally are expressing concern about the new legislation.
On Tuesday night, Governor Gavin declared Prop 1 had cleared the electoral threshold. As of 12:23 p.m. Wednesday, the yea votes were at 50.20 percent, and the no votes were around 49.80 percent. The Associated Press is confident enough to report the proposition has passed.
According to the state, under the proposition, counties would need to change some of the mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment services provided currently to focus more on housing and personalized support services. The state could borrow up to $6.4 billion to build one more place where people could get mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment and two more housing units for people with mental health, drug, or alcohol challenges.
The proposition transfers around $140 million annually of existing tax revenue for mental health, drug, and alcohol treatment from counties to the state. It also increases the state bond repayment costs by $310 million annually for 30 years.
“This is the biggest change in decades in how California tackles homelessness and a victory for doing things radically different,” Newsom said. “Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately – state government and local leaders, together.”
Tehama County Health Services Executive Director Jayme Bottke offered the opinion that a proposition in a statewide election passing by less than 20,000 votes does speak volumes.
“This will definitely affect what was formerly called Mental Health Services Act funding, now called the Behavioral Health Services Act funding,” Bottke said. It will ultimately reduce the treatment dollars that we have.”
She promised to bring this back to the Tehama County Board of Supervisors to discuss how the legislation will affect the department and the direct treatment services the health agency can provide.
