Budget Update: Legislators Move to Take First 5 Funding Without a Ballot InitiativeMarch 7, 2011 |
Printer-friendly version |
 The State Budget Conference Committee approved a proposal last week to take $1 billion in First 5 funding for state use without seeking voter consent. Under the plan, the redirection would be achieved through a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, which Gov. Jerry Brown believes is permissible. Proposition 10 contains language that allows lawmakers to amend its provisions through a two-thirds vote, so long as the changes "further the act" and are "consistent with its purposes." Since First 5 programs were established by voters, prior attempts to redirect First 5 funding were made through a ballot initiative. In 2009, Proposition 1D asked voters to approve rerouting $1.3 billion from First 5-funded programs serving young children to the state's General Fund. Voters rejected the initiative by a 34 to 66 percent vote. But legislators this year are seeking to streamline the already-crowded slate of initiatives up for a vote in June, including a ballot measure that would extend temporary tax hikes. If the $1 billion redirection is approved, the impact to California's young kids will be considerable. "The depth of the take-away from county commissions is troubling," said Sherry Novick, executive director of First 5 Association of California, which represents county commissions throughout the state, including First 5 LA. "This proposal will inevitably harm many programs providing critical services at the local level." More Information: (Sacramento Bee) Capitol Alert: California Healthline: Legislators Aim To Avoid Ballot in Shifting First 5 Funding to Medi-Cal First 5 LA Monday Morning Report: Opposition Grows Against First 5 Funding Grab ‹‹ Back to this week's Monday Morning Report
|
|
Comments
Post new comment