A handful of California politicians are trying to undermine the state's successful treatment-instead-of-incarceration initiative, Proposition 36, in a budget battle that could culminate in a vote at the end of this month.
 
Republicans in the state Senate have introduced a proposal to end state funding for the program, despite the fact that Prop. 36 has saved taxpayers $1.8 billion and kept tens of thousands of Californians out of prison in just six years. State-contracted research shows the program saves $2.50 for every $1 invested in it.
 
Margaret Dooley, Prop. 36 Coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance, said, “The proposal sadly illustrates that Senate Republicans’ distaste for drug treatment outweighs their interest in fiscally responsible policies. The more the state spends on Prop. 36, the more tax dollars we'll save and the more people we'll help become taxpayers instead of tax-spenders. De-funding this treatment alternative now would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility.”
 
The Senate Republicans' proposal to zero out funding follows a July vote by the state Assembly to reduce spending for Prop. 36 in 2007-08 to $120 million--a $25 million reduction from the previous year--while approving $500 million in tax cuts for large corporations.
 
Fortunately, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata is holding strong against the pressure to cut funding in exchange for corporate tax gifts. Before the Assembly voted to cut Prop. 36 spending, Senator Perata encouraged the Assembly Speaker to rethink the plan, writing, “I am alarmed and dismayed by rumors that you are considering a half a billion dollars in tax breaks for special interests…. Even the increases we proposed to the state’s Prop 36 program - aimed at keeping non-violent drug offenders out of prison and putting them into treatment programs - has fallen victim to concerns about the state’s long-term deficit…. We cannot continue to fund education, higher education and crucial human services issues…by providing tax giveaways.”
 
When the Senate returns to debate the budget, expected late this month, the Republicans are expected to put Prop. 36 funding up for negotiation again. However, the Senate President's strong support bodes well for the program. The final decision will be up to the governor, who has the ability to reduce any line-item in the legislature-approved budget before signing it into law.
 
Prop. 36 has national significance as a model for shifting the response to drug use away from the criminal justice system. DPA is closely involved in the ongoing fight to protect the program and raise awareness of its success in reducing drug addiction and saving taxpayer dollars.