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The wording of prop 1E is very crafty. It is extremely misleading and before you vote you need to research and know the truth. If we cut mental health programs in California the state cost would INCREASE, not decrease. These childrens programs MUST be funded no matter if prop 1E passes or fails. It does not add money to these funds nor does it gaurantee it. This proposition takes money out of the mental health fund and puts it towards Californias general fund to be used however the state see's fit, NO accountability. Just be educated on your vote. I am voting NO on 1E because I am educated.

Danyll Hurley @ 9:04 AM PDT, Apr 30, 2009

So you chastise the voters for ballot box budgeting but I believe you guys endorsed these props in the first place.....so you look on the mirror. It is always so easy to be charitable with someone elses money.

Bladernr1001 @ 10:02 PM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

The question that should be asked here is: How much of the proposed funding went to jails and prisons? In broad terms, the Prison Industrial Complex. The editorial omits one factor – not only are the mentally ill 'left to live or die on the streets' but are most likely to be incarcerated and waste away in prison. This is where the money is spent and this is where a large percentage of the mentally ill end up. Gerald Grace North Tustin

Gerald Grace @ 7:49 PM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

Yesterday as I was walking home from a near-by bus stop, I passed a homeless woman lying comatose on the sidewalk. A pay phone was near-by. So like the Good Samaritan, I dialed 9-11 and waited nearby to flag down the Fire Department when it arrived. This is not the first time. And I can't help but wonder, how much is my Good Samaritan deed costing the tax payers? Can't we find more cost-effective ways of dealing with the homeless and mentally ill? I'll make a deal with the LA Times. Open up the LA Times building and let the assorted derelicts of Skid Row camp out in your corridors. Then, I'll vote yes on Prop 1D and 1E.

William Joseph Miller, Los Angeles @ 2:18 PM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

Not only should we vote against these and all the propositions, we need to overturn Props 10 and 63, and vote out all of the current membership of the legislative and executive branches in Sacramento. Vote NO and reelect nobody!

Tim Bowman @ 12:45 PM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

California's pediatricians urge you to vote NO on 1D. This proposition takes away critical resources available to ALL young children in our state. This includes health coverage for young children, support of activities to allow early detection of autism, parenting and preschool resources for kids who might otherwise be expelled from preschool and a host of other programs that make our state healthier for our youngest citizens. This program allows local identification of need and local responses that ARE WORKING. An investment in the future of our children is a wise investment for our State. Vote NO on 1 D!

Marc Lerner @ 11:00 AM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

Maybe a rethink of how a lot of these assistance and welfare programs is required with an eye to improving outcomes and reducing costs?

Reginald Smythe @ 10:21 AM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

First 5 does NOT spend responsibly! 1. First 5 spent over $100 MILLION on private evaluation consultants! They are on track to spend $500 MILLION on evaluation within 15 years And $1 BILLION+ within 25 years! Even WORSE: First 5 spent $500 MILLION+ on ADULTS in a program called CARES. They gave Master's degree holders up to $5,000 just to stay in their jobs! Not a documented penny went to children 0 to 5! THESE ARE THE FACTS! (from IRS, state audited and First 5 docs & dbases) Vote YES on Prop 1D!

yikes123 @ 9:09 AM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

First 5 has plenty to SHARE! First 5 has $2 BILLION+ ONLY because it took 2 years+ for most of them to do their strategic plan AND they were not allowed to spend the funds coming in until they did. It was NOT due to good planning, they was forced to save it! Please do not believe the "we were so responsible" hype! THESE ARE THE FACTS! (from IRS, state audited and First 5 commission documents) Vote YES on Prop 1D!

yikes123 @ 9:03 AM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

Voters should vote Yes for 1D. The $2.2B bank accounts held by F5's goes to advertising agencies (First 5 LA $4 million); wages ($50,000 - $300,000);and million$ that are paid to “consultants” for input on initiatives that take up to 3-years to implement! F5's have done some good for 0-5 children, but how can you enroll a 4 year old into Healthy Kids but not his older siblings. Legislators need to divert the billion$ collected from Prop 10, and distribute these to schools, hospitals, foster/adoptive agencies, mental care, and all the other CA agencies who need financial resources in this time of need in our great state.

Jose @ 8:35 AM PDT, Apr 29, 2009

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