Care Not Cash struck down!

Judge: 'Care Not Cash' initiative invalid

Bay City News Thursday, May 8, 2003

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A San Francisco judge today struck down the city's "Care Not Cash" initiative -- the successful ballot measure authored by supervisor and mayoral candidate Gavin Newsom.

Judge Ronald Quidachay said the initiative is invalid because the state delegated authority in the matter to the Board of Supervisors.


Proposition N was challenged in court by a general-assistance recipient shortly after it passed with about 60 percent of the vote on Nov. 5. It would cut most cash allotments to homeless individuals from $320 to $59 a month, substituting assistance such as housing and social services for the rest of the money.

It was scheduled to go into effect on July 1.



The judge said the state sets standards of assistance for indigent residents but had deferred to the supervisors as exclusive county agents. The supervisors rejected proposals identical to those in Proposition N before the measure was placed on the ballot.

City Attorney spokesman Matt Dorsey said the city may appeal or request a stay of the order.

Newsom declined to comment on the ruling this morning, but representatives said he plans to submit a similar "Cash Not Care" proposal to the supervisors.