The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), or Proposition 63 (also called “the Millionaire’s Tax”) was
overwhelmingly passed, in 2004, by California voters who recognized the urgent need to address decades
of inadequate state funding for mental health services. The initiative generated new revenues to expand the
state’s mental health services and reach the estimated 60% of Californians living with untreated disabling
mental illness under the then-existing system.
Self-proclaimed “champion” of mental health care reform and current Senate Leader Darryl Steinberg coauthored
the MHSA. Senator Steinberg now “champions” California voters to overturn portions of the
MHSA by approving Proposition 1-E. Proposition 1-E allows the state legislature to raid mental health
services funds, diverting $460 Million dollars away from the mentally disabled to help close the budget
deficit, which has ballooned under his tenure. This would essentially prevent any meaningful reforms in
mental health services– improvements this self-proclaimed mental health care reformer once championed
– another classic case of Sacramento politicians robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The unmet need for mental health services for children and youth in California is significant. It is estimated
that 80% of youth in the juvenile justice system have debilitating mental and learning disorders. Many suffer
from severe emotional disturbance and psychoses including schizophrenia, major depressive and extreme
bipolar disorders. These illnesses often manifest themselves in violent and criminal behaviors.
Inadequate access to mental health services has severe consequences for children, their families, public
safety and future victims. More than half of the children and youth in the juvenile justice system have cooccurring
drug and alcohol abuse conditions. Mental illness often results in problems with self-care, school
functioning, family relationships, learning disabilities, gang activity and crime.
As a registered nurse who has spent years volunteering in our public schools and juvenile justice system, I
have seen many children and youth with undiagnosed mental diseases fall through the cracks- causing
them to drop out of school and take to the streets.
Firsthand, I have seen the lives of juveniles and their families salvaged through implementation of new
MHSA supported approaches. These programs defray future societal costs through crime prevention,
public safety and taxpayer protection evidenced by the decreasing numbers of incarcerations. California
communities cannot continue to thrive without ongoing support for mental health rehabilitation and healthy
development of our youth. We cannot afford to divert one red cent of these funds to other purposes.
Los Angeles County has experienced a significant population drop in the juvenile justice system as use of
these alternatives is expanded in local communities. Mental diseases, if left untreated, are silent killers.
They kill childhoods, families, victims of violent crime, communities and hope of a better future for those
afflicted. We must treat these diseases early on and the time is now. The cost of waiting is too great and
the loss of even one life too tragic to bear. Targeting some of our most vulnerable population to fill the
budget gap is shameless at best.
Tomorrow, say no to Grand Poo-bah Steinberg’s latest bait and switch. Vote NO on Proposition 1E.