CAMARILLO : Governor Vetoes Bill for Youth Aid

Legislation that would have allowed Ventura County to apply for state aid to build a shelter for abused and neglected youth has been vetoed by Gov. George Deukmejian.

The bill sponsored by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) was a response to Proposition 86, which was approved in 1986 and earmarked $3 million for youth services. However, only Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Sacramento counties were eligible for funding under the proposition.

O’Connell said his bill would have allowed Ventura County to compete for any Proposition 86 money remaining after funds had been allocated to the three counties.

Of the $3 million available for shelters, only $80,000 remains for allocation, the governor said.

“Because of the cost in staff time, it is not economically feasible to initiate another funding application process,” he said. “Current law allows reallocation of all remaining funds to the original recipients at minimum cost and without delay.”

“The governor’s action has taken me by complete surprise,” O’Connell said. “This bill did not receive one dissenting vote throughout the legislative process, nor to my knowledge, was it opposed by any organization or individual in its last amended form.”

O’Connell said funding received under his bill could have been used to help subsidize construction of Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, a crisis-care center to house 85 to 110 abandoned, neglected or abused children.

The project has an estimated cost of $8 million. Ventura County has committed $4.5 million to the facility and the private sector has pledged another $1.5 million.

O’Connell said there has been a 40% increase in the number of children needing shelter in the county since 1988.