California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on two proposals Thursday to transform the state's mental health system and address the state's worsening homelessness crisis, putting them both before voters in 2024.
The Democratic governor needs voters' approval because he wants to borrow billions of dollars through a bond to pay for the proposals. They would allow the state to borrow $6.38 billion for 11,150 new treatment beds, housing and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots to serve up to 100,000 people a year. The measure would also overhaul how counties pay for mental and behavioral health programs.
