Sun Sep 17, 2023, 03:18 AM

RandySF (51,372 posts)

CA: Gavin Newsom's mental health plan is going to voters. Here's what you need to know

California voters next spring will get to decide on a ballot measure to create housing and treatment options for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. If it passes, the measure championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom would mark the first major overhaul of the state’s community mental health system in 20 years.

The two-pronged proposition on the March primary election ballot includes a nearly $6.4 billion bond to build 10,000 psychiatric treatment units. It also asks voters to redefine how counties spend money collected from a special “millionaire’s tax” to allocate a share of it for housing.

Newsom and supporters have promoted Proposition 1 as a way to help address the state’s deteriorating homelessness and addiction crises. They contend increased investment and an update to the state’s Mental Health Services Act is “long overdue”.

The Legislature on Thursday overwhelmingly backed his proposal, with lopsided votes to place it on the 2024 ballot. Newsom still must sign the bills, and he said he would in a written statement after a late-night vote in the Assembly.

“These measures represent a key part of the solution to our homelessness crisis, and improving mental health for kids and families,” Newsom said. “Now, it will be up to voters to ratify the most significant changes to California’s mental health system in more than 50 years.”

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/16/gavin-newsoms-mental-health-plan-is-going-to-voters-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

6 replies, 437 views

Thread info Bookmark this thread Trash this thread

Reply to this thread

Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum

Replies to this discussion thread

6 replies	Author	Time	Post
CA: Gavin Newsom's mental health plan is going to voters. Here's what you need to know (Original post)	RandySF	Sep 17	OP
And in ny	NJCher	Sep 17	#1
Thanks for the info. I wish the Legislature would do its job -- but then, that would mean they'd	Hekate	Sep 17	#2
Raygun was pure evil.	BigmanPigman	Sep 17	#3
Opposition	NowISeetheLight	Sep 17	#4
Does the bill also create the millionaire's tax?	Fiendish Thingy	Sep 17	#5
He's trying to undo the harm Ronald Reagan inflicted.	MineralMan	Sep 17	#6

Response to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 04:26 AM

NJCher (34,010 posts)

1. And in ny

Mayor Adams is looking at privatizing NYCHA. Nit the way to go. I truly hope this does not go through.

Reply to this post

Response to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 04:56 AM

Hekate (86,468 posts)

2. Thanks for the info. I wish the Legislature would do its job -- but then, that would mean they'd

…need more than 2 terms in office, so they’d be better informed.

I hope very much this is the answer to the mess Governor Reagan left us when he closed all the state hospitals and failed to create or fund the promised halfway houses. We didn’t used to have beggars, and in very short order we had a street population of people who couldn’t really care for themselves. Reagan was heartless.

Reply to this post

Response to Hekate (Reply #2)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 05:15 AM

BigmanPigman (50,200 posts)

3. Raygun was pure evil.

Everything he touched was harmful to the people in this country. At least 3 times a day I say out loud, "Well, another Raygun related disaster".

Reply to this post

Response to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 06:33 AM

NowISeetheLight (3,351 posts)

4. Opposition

There is opposition to this from several groups. This article adds that all of this isn't "new money" but a reallocating of existing funds to some extent. Counties would then face shortfalls and cuts in other areas. There was also the last minute addition allowing the money to be used for involuntary treatment.

https://www.kqed.org/news/11961346/gavin-newsoms-mental-health-plan-heads-to-voters-heres-what-to-know

Peer-run and disability organizations have been the staunchest opponents of the changes proposed in the ballot measure. They argue current clients will lose treatment options and accuse Newsom’s administration of using the proposal to fund his CARE Court initiative that passed last year. That law allows a court to place someone with a serious mental illness into an involuntary treatment program.

Groups representing people of color and LGBTQ+ communities also oppose the measure. They say it will eliminate prevention resources and worsen already stark disparities in access to treatment. Resource centers that target these populations are among the services most likely to get cut, county behavioral health leaders have said in public hearing.

The bond measure, which previously faced no opposition, drew fierce criticism from peer and disability advocates after last-minute amendments allowed the money to be used on involuntary treatment facilities.

“This is a really tough time for our communities,” said Paul Simmons, executive director of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. “Our concern with [the proposition] is massive increases in involuntary and forced treatment.”

Reply to this post

Response to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 10:36 AM

Fiendish Thingy (13,723 posts)

5. Does the bill also create the millionaire's tax?

Or was the tax created separately?

If the bill creates the tax, then the amendments may be stealth poison pills designed to create grass roots opposition so the bill, and the tax, do not pass.

Reply to this post

Response to RandySF (Original post)

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 10:55 AM

MineralMan (145,718 posts)

6. He's trying to undo the harm Ronald Reagan inflicted.

I hope he succeeds.

Reply to this post

General Discussion (Forum)