Voters on Tuesday showed early support for Proposition 1, the measure to issue $6.38 billion in bonds for mental health treatment centers and housing for the homeless.
With 67% of precincts reporting statewide, and nearly 3.3 million votes counted, the lead for Prop. 1 fell off, from 52.5% to 51.6. The percentage of those saying nay to Prop. 1 ticked up from 47.5% to 48.4.
In San Diego County, Prop 1 held a very narrow lead, 50.8% to 49.2% with about 386,000 ballots counted, but many more remaining to be tallied.
The measure needs to win by a simple majority to pass.
Prop. 1, placed on the ballot due to the passage of Senate Bill 326 and Assembly Bill 531 by the state legislature, would amend the Mental Health Services Act established by voter approval of Proposition 63 in 2004.
That measure added a 1% tax on income above $1 million with revenues set aside for counties to fund mental health services and programs.
Proposition 1 would rechristen that law as the Behavioral Health Services Act, and expand covered treatments to include care for those battling drug or alcohol problems. The largest portion of the funding would support almost $4.4 billion in grants for behavioral health treatment and housing.
Backers, including Gov. Gavin Newsom – who traversed the state last week to drum up support – point to the closure of state mental hospitals 50 years ago as one of the reasons driving the current homeless crisis. They raised nearly $15 million to support the measure, according to Ballotpedia.
Opponents, however, worry about the cost – interest on the bonds is expected to cost more than $300 million a year – and potential threats to local mental health programs. Carl DeMaio currently running for state Assembly, said the measure would divert “funding from the very mental health treatment programs that currently serve homeless people.”
Updated 10:30 and 11:20 p.m. March 5, 2024
