Mental health bond

A nail-biter for Newsom’s mental health bond

The governor’s signature measure, Prop 1, had over 50 percent support at midnight with votes still being counted.

By RACHEL BLUTH

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature mental health bond was too close to call Tuesday night, with support hovering over 50 percent around midnight while ballots were still being tabulated.

Proposition 1 would change the Mental Health Services Act, a 2004 tax on incomes over a million dollars that currently generates around $4 billion annually, imposing new requirements on how counties report and spend the funds on mental health programs. The measure also includes a $6.4 billion bond that supporters say would build 11,000 addiction and mental health treatment beds and supportive housing for veterans.

In a poll released a few days before the election, half of likely voters said they would approve of the measure. Pollsters and campaign officials have predicted historically low turnout, which hurt the proposition’s chances.