Leading up to the March 5 primary, Gov. Gavin Newsom appealed to voters by insisting that Proposition 1 is a just reward for veterans, who “have given everything for our freedom often at extraordinary cost to themselves.” It’s not an unpersuasive argument. It was, however, a cheap, emotional ploy.
The vote for Prop 1, which would fund mental health programs and housing for the homeless, was close. It was approved by a thin 50.2%-49.8% margin, a gap of fewer than 30,000 votes. It is the fifth time since 2000 that California voters have approved a bond measure funding housing and homelessness programs for veterans.
The previous four measures issued a total of $6 billion in bonds. Prop 1 alone would issue $6.38 billion: a little more than $1 billion to be used for permanent housing for homeless veterans with mental health or substance abuse disorders; $922 million for permanent housing for those experiencing or are at risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs; and $4.393 billion for grants for behavioral health treatment and housing.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Prop 1 promises more of the same for California’s homeless
Wayne Winegarden and Kerry Jackson
Leading up to the March 5 primary, Gov. Gavin Newsom appealed to voters by insisting that Proposition 1 is a just reward for veterans, who “have given everything for our freedom often at extraordinary cost to themselves.” It’s not an unpersuasive argument. It was, however, a cheap, emotional ploy.
The vote for Prop 1, which would fund mental health programs and housing for the homeless, was close. It was approved by a thin 50.2%-49.8% margin, a gap of fewer than 30,000 votes. It is the fifth time since 2000 that California voters have approved a bond measure funding housing and homelessness programs for veterans.
The previous four measures issued a total of $6 billion in bonds. Prop 1 alone would issue $6.38 billion: a little more than $1 billion to be used for permanent housing for homeless veterans with mental health or substance abuse disorders; $922 million for permanent housing for those experiencing or are at risk of homelessness with behavioral health needs; and $4.393 billion for grants for behavioral health treatment and housing.
Click to read the full article in the Northern California Record.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.