Sonoma County Supervisors sue state to save children's programs money

 Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Monday filed suit in Sonoma County Court to prevent the transfer of $15.45 million earmarked for local early childhood programs to the State of California. 

"This suit would protect First 5 Sonoma County’s ability to improve the health and school readinesses of Sonoma County’s youngest children by ensuring voter approved resources remain local," said  Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Efren Carrillo in a news release late Monday afternoon.

“The state’s actions are illegal and go against the will of voters,” Carillo added.“The Board of Supervisors adamantly opposes Sacramento using monies intended for local children to solve the state’s problems.

"If this raid is not stopped, our local First 5 Commission would lose dollars to the State’s general fund black hole," Carillo said. "These funds directly benefit Sonoma County’s children and families. By filing suit, the board is standing by our young children and saying enough is enough.”

The suit asks the court to invalidate AB 99, legislation recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown  which requires First 5 Commissions across the state to give up half of their fund balances -- a total of $1 billion statewide. The Sonoma County suit contends only voters have the authority to approve a state take away of funds.

 California voters created First 5 when Proposition 10, the Children and Families Act of 1998 ,was passed overwhelmingly across the state and in Sonoma County.

Prop. 10 established a 50 cent tax on tobacco products to be used to promote the healthy development of young children through age five.

First 5 Sonoma County concentrates its investments in evidence-based programs scientifically proven to produce significant, measureable change in children’s health and healthy development, in parents’ ability to nurture and support their children, and in the quality of early care and education.

 Prop. 10 has been challenged twice before, most recently in 2009 by Proposition 1D, which would also have diverted First 5 money to the State general fund. Nearly two-thirds of California voters opposed Prop. 1D in 2009.

“Since First 5 Sonoma County was established in 1998, the commission has invested more than $40 million in programs and services for local children and families through local partners—community-based organizations and government agencies,” said Oscar Chavez, chair of the First 5 Sonoma County Commission and executive director of Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County.

“If the Governor’s action is allowed to stand, vital services for children and families will be lost, and our local infrastructure of community-based organizations and agencies will be seriously undermined," Chavez added. "We applaud the Board of Supervisors for taking action to protect our youngest children.”

First 5 Sonoma County Commissioners have expressed concern about the precedent if the State succeeds in taking these funds without going to the ballot.  In addition to the County of Sonoma, First 5 Commissions in Marin, Fresno, Madera, Merced and Orange have also filed suit to stop the Governor’s appropriation of First 5 funds. The First 5 LA Commission and the County of Solano have announced that they intend to take legal action as well.

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The County of Sonoma is comprised of 26 departments and agencies that provide a full range of services to the community. It encompasses over 1,600 square miles and is home to more than 483,000 residents. Sonoma County government has a history of providing excellent and responsive public service while operating under sound fiscal principles. Sonoma County is located less than one hour north of San Francisco and combines in one location the beautiful Pacific coastline, award-winning wineries, majestic redwoods, historic towns, fine dining, and a wide variety of entertainment and cultural activities.

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