California residents are voting in several elections today, including the presidential primary and the race to fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.
Voters also have to decide on the only statewide ballot measure, Proposition 1, which aims to address homelessness, drug addiction and untreated mental illness in the state. Prop 1 asks voters to approve $6.4 billion in bond funding that would build more supportive outpatient housing and create more mental health services.
The measure will not increase taxes on Californians — the money will be paid from the state general fund that is used for most public services, according to the Los Angeles Times.
California, we have a chance to reimagine our mental healthcare system TODAY.
We can help those living in tents and on our streets to get into the care and housing they need.
Polls close at 8pm!
Make sure to vote, and vote YES ON 1! pic.twitter.com/bZZ5FxIsyo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 5, 2024
Supporters of Prop 1 include Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, the California Professional Firefighters Association and the California affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
However, not all mental health advocates are in support of the measure. For example, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Karen Vicari, director of public policy for Mental Health America of California, described Prop 1 as “throwing money at a problem with no understanding of the root causes.”
Others have raised concerns that the measure counteracts the 2004 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Currently, funds for MHSA go directly to counties across California and those counties decide how to distribute the funds. Critics argue that Prop 1 would restructure MHSA and divert funds away from successful mental health services already in place.
Read more about Prop 1 in the Sacramento Bee.
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