CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Bill to Restore Aid Sent to Governor

Ending weeks of back-room negotiations, the Assembly passed and sent to Gov. George Deukmejian legislation to restore $15 million he cut last year from aid to the mentally ill. The bill by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno) passed on a lopsided, bipartisan 60-3 vote. The measure failed in the Assembly last month when most Republicans opposed it because they said it would give too much of the money to counties that traditionally have received more than their fair share. The measure provides a 5% cost-of-living increase for each county’s mental health program and distributes another $6.5 million based on the counties’ population and poverty levels. Although many lawmakers expect Deukmejian to veto the measure, or at least delete some money, his office said he has no position.