FINALLY TWO MAJORTSTEPS FORWARD FOR THE MOVEMENT TO CREATE LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES FOR CHILD AND YOUTH FUNDING

In 2020, 57% of the Los Angeles County electorate voted to set-aside 10% of their discretionary local budget for community investments. It was a justice reform measure, as well as a measure for a wide range of social services, from mental health to housing, since none of the funds could be spent on the justice system. The city, advocates reasoned, would most likely have to reallocate money from law enforcement to create the new multi-million dollar fund. It was a landmark event in Los Angeles, as well as for our emerging movement to increase dollars for services for children, youth and families. Estimates for 10% of discretionary dollars ranged from $300M to $900M.

Immediately after it passed, a coalition of unions led by the Association for LA Deputy Sheriff's took the measure to court saying that it was unconstitutional for the electorate to make budget decisions for a Board of Supervisors. The Superior Court agreed with the unions. However, the CA 2nd District Court of Appeal just overrode that decision!!!! It took 2 years, but democracy won! Voters can now tell their Board of Supervisors about how their money can (and can't) be spent. It must be noted that opponents have until September 6 to appeal. We'll keep you posted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH - If you are in a charter county, it is now clear that voter initiatives can create budget set-asides for investments of discretionary dollars in kids and their families. You just want to make sure that the measures don't violate state laws and don't prohibit your county from fulfilling state mandates. More info to come as we explore the implications more fully.

Democrats in the state legislature are finally fighting back with a proposed constitutional amendment (ACA-13) that would curtail the longtime agenda of business and anti-tax interests to diminish the ability of the majority to raise taxes for public priorities.

ACA-13, endorsed by unions, civic organizations and local governments, is a brilliant counter to years of so-called "taxpayer reforms" aimed at undermining democracy by requiring 2/3 votes for revenue measures. “Politico” called it giving the business interests behind the constitutional amendment “a taste of their own medicine.” Anti-taxers always want to pass measures by a majority that would then require a 2/3 vote to increase taxes. But if ACA-13 makes it to the ballot and passes, all measures changing voter thresholds for taxes would have to pass by the thresholds they propose creating. That's justice!

The crusade of anti-taxers goes back to Prop 13 and is always the same – making it harder and harder to pass state and local taxes when a majority of the electorate supports those taxes. This year’s version is called the Taxpayer Protection and Accountability Act and has qualified for the 2024 ballot. It would prevent any local taxes from passing by a majority (even if they were put on the ballot by voter signatures), AND it would be retroactive. Without ACA-13, it would be a disaster for children's funding measures. If ACA-13 makes it to the ballot and passes, this latest anti-tax measure would have to pass by 2/3.

Leading the charge is Assemblyman Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, who introduced the measure. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas from the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys and Senator Scott Weiner from San Francisco are two of the co-sponsors. 

Links to articles on the measure:

CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYPERSON OR STATE SENATOR TO SUPPORT ACA-13. A 2/3 VOTE WILL BE NEEDED TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT. SEPTEMBER 14 IS THE DEADLINE FOR GETTING IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. NO TIME TO WASTE!

NOTE! James Harrison and Ben Gevercer from OlsonRemcho law firm have drafted a memo describing these two dramatic steps forward for Funding the Next Generation. See memo here.

Funding the Next Generation has officially merged its work with Children's Funding Project, our fiscal sponsor and partner. We are delighted to work together and build a stronger movement to fund opportunities for children and youth, in California and nationally.