COUNTYWIDE : Schaefer Presses for More State Funding
Supervisor Madge L. Schaefer’s proposal that Ventura County notify the state that it will cease to provide some essential services unless the state provides money for them drew a mixed response from the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
Schaefer wants the county to send its proposed 1990-91 budget to Gov. George Deukmejian and the Legislature carrying a stamp of “NSF-insufficient funds,” she said.
“We need to send a strong message that we just are not going to carry out these programs,” Schaefer said, referring to a variety of health, welfare, safety and criminal justice services that the state requires but for which it provides partial funding.
In response, veteran Supervisor James R. Dougherty told the board that Orange County tried the same strategy several years ago, only to be directed by the courts to provide the services.
Schaefer’s proposal languished Tuesday, as did a suggestion by Supervisor Susan K. Lacey that the board forward to both the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor a statement of their concerns.
“We need to ask some very tough questions” of the candidates and force them to take a stand, Lacey said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
