Supervisors Endorse ‘Nickel-a-Drink’ Measure

Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday endorsed the “nickel-a-drink” alcohol tax ballot measure, with the hope the proposal, if approved in November, will stave off budget cuts in the mental health department.

This summer, the Board of Supervisors put off reducing the Department of Mental Health’s budget by $22 million, gambling that Proposition 134 would be approved by the voters on Nov. 6.

The panel earlier did not support the initiative, but the request was reintroduced by Supervisor Ed Edelman. This time, it was approved on a 3-0 vote, with Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Pete Schabarum abstaining.

If approved, Proposition 134 is expected to raise $730 million its first year. At least $32 million annually would go to the county’s mental health system. About $10 million a year would go toward treating abused children and their families, officials said.