BILL NUMBER:  SB 1770
  VETOED	DATE: 09/28/2000




SEP 28 2000

To Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 1770 without my signature.

This bill establishes a new program in the Department of Mental
Health to provide grants to county mental health departments for
mental health client and family member empowerment programs.

The 2000-01 Budget Act includes $1.8 billion for the Department of
Mental Health, a 15.5% increase over the previous year.  This
includes $155 million in increased funding for a variety of new and
existing programs that have proven effective in preventing
institutionalization and hospitalization such as the Integrated
Services to Homeless Adults and the Mentally Ill Offender Crime
Reduction Grant programs.

Counties are also charged with providing mental health services to
residents and have been provided significant funding for this
purpose.  Counties currently have the authority and discretion to
create local empowerment programs within their existing resources.

In addition, the 2000-01 Budget, as signed, did not include funds for
this purpose.  While this program has merit, it should compete with
the many other good proposals that will be suggested next year for
adoption in the Budget Act of 2001.

Sincerely,





GRAY DAVIS