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May 15, 2009

JFCS East Bay Recommendations on Propositions 1D and 1E



                        

Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay
Dear Community Members,
 
California's special election is next Tuesday, May 19, and many are still trying to determine how to make tough decisions during a sobering time in our state. It is clear that no matter how people vote, there will be serious cuts that will affect all of us.
 
Based on our agency's responsibility to our clients and community, especially the most vulnerable among us, JFCS/East Bay's Public Policy Committee has considered the ballot propositions and is recommending that people vote No on Propositions 1D and 1E.
 
Proposition 1D would divert tobacco tax revenues away from highly effective programs benefiting children from birth to age 5. These programs support children's physical and mental health care, strengthen families, and engage in the kind of early intervention that dramatically reduces costly and heartbreaking problems in later years.
 
Proposition 1E would divert "millionaire tax" revenues away from the framework of the Mental Health Services Act, which fills glaring gaps in the mental health system and also places a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. For both measures, we are concerned not only about the effects of short-term cuts, but of the long-term implications of diverting these funds from their intended purposes.
 
At this point in the campaign, we are all getting deluged by information and misinformation about the ballot measures. We encourage you to seek out reliable sources and to make carefully considered decisions that will best preserve our state's capacity to help those who need it most.
 
Shalom,
 

 
Avi Rose
Executive Director
  Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay
 
Main Office                                                          Contra Costa Office 
2484 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 210                  
1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 200 
Berkeley, CA 94704                                     Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(510) 704-7475                                          (925) 927-2000    

Suse Moyal Center                                            Family Justice Center
for Older Adult Services                            470 27th Street
828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104                      Oakland CA 94612
Albany, CA 94706                                       (510) 704-7480, ext. 700
(510) 558-7800