In an opening to this year’s budget negotiations at the Capitol, Senate Democrats on Monday proposed a $2 billion bond to build homes for homeless people with mental illnesses.
The measure would be funded by Proposition 63, the existing, 1 percent income tax on Californians earning $1 million or more per year to pay for mental health services.
Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León said at a news conference in Los Angeles that the money could fund construction of at least 10,000 housing units statewide.
The proposal comes before Gov. Jerry Brown releases his annual budget plan this week. Brown, a relatively moderate Democrat, has clashed with lawmakers of his own party in previous years over funding for social services.
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