SB CAN Opposes Propositions 1D and 1E
For IMMEDIATE Release - May 7, 2009
Contact Olivia Uribe, Associate Director
Telephone 805-563-0463 / Olivia@sbcan.org
SB CAN Opposes Propositions 1D and 1E
SANTA BARBARA-- Today, Santa Barbara County Action Network (SB CAN) announced its opposition to Propositions 1D and 1E on the May 19 Ballot. These propositions would take away funding from critical programs that help the most needy and vulnerable among us—at-risk children and people with mental health problems.
Proposition 1D would create a loss of $2.5 million per year in our County alone for programs that help young children. In 1998 the voters of
Proposition 1E would reduce funding for mental health services established by Proposition 63 in 2004. Voters approved the funding to deal with a public health crisis: since State mental health hospitals were closed over 40 years ago, our jails and prisons and homeless shelters have become increasingly filled by people with untreated mental illnesses. Proposition 1E would divert nearly a half billion dollars over the next two years from these vital programs. The Legislative Analyst warns that in the event Proposition 1E passes, “State and local governments could incur added costs for homeless shelters, social services programs, medical care, law enforcement, and county jail and state prison operations.”
Preventing child abuse and providing healthcare for young children helps to keep them out of hospitals and family courts. Treating mental illness in the early stages helps keep people off the street, out of institutions, and out of jails. Reducing funding for these programs would not save the State money in the long run, but would only provide a temporary, quick fix on a balance sheet.
SB CAN urges a NO vote on Propositions 1D and 1E.
SB CAN is a countywide grassroots nonprofit dedicated to promoting social justice, preserving the environment, and creating sustainable communities.