Sacramento Measure L, to provide funds for youth services, leads in returns
A measure that would require the city of Sacramento to set aside a portion of its cannabis tax revenue for youth services continues to lead in returns Friday afternoon.
The measure was ahead 60% to 40% in the 4 p.m. update from Sacramento County election officials.
Measure L, also known as the Children and Youth Health and Safety Act, is the third attempt in six years to create a dedicated funding stream in the city budget. But unlike the previous two, Measure L would not take money from the city’s general fund.
Instead, the city would designate 40% of its cannabis tax revenue — roughly $9 million — for youth programs and services. Supporters of the measure point to the need for these services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, while opponents fear how it could limit the city’s upcoming budget flexibility.
This year, people under 25 accounted for 32% of the city’s population according to county data.
Oversight of the funding would be up to a nine-person advisory committee working in partnership with the city’s Youth Advisory Commission. The council would have the final say in funding decisions, Councilwoman Mai Vang told The Bee in July. Vang led the effort for the measure.
“It will help fund services to prevent youth from becoming homeless and really just keeping our babies healthy and safe,” said Vang, who represents Meadowview.
Although, the previous measures had varied opposition from the council, this time only Councilman Jeff Harris voted against putting it on the ballot. He had concerns about the measure’s impact on the city budget, which is projected to reach a deficit next year. Harris’ term ends in December.
“I will not leave my seat on this council knowing I voted to put our city in a worse fiscal position than it was when I got here,” Harris told The Bee in July.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:26 PM.
