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After Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed 100 percent of funding for domestic violence programs in California, shelters began making plans to cut services or worse, shut doors. In Santa Clairta, the local shelter laid off some employees and moved offices to save on rent.
For State Senator Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), this was unacceptable. “Eliminating these programs was shortsighted because it ultimately results in additional health care and law enforcement costs to the state," he said.
He introduced a bill that would take a $16.3 million loan from the Alternative and Renewal Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund for domestic violence funding. Although it passed the Assembly, it failed to receive the necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate in September. However, it was brought up again and was passed earlier this week.
“Passing this legislation ensures that these shelters will continue providing critical services to victims of domestic violence," exclaimed Smyth. "This is truly the highlight of our legislative year.”
The bill's future is now in the hands of Schwarzenegger.