The battle for constitutional protections for 2011 realignment has concluded decisively and successfully. Proposition 30 received about 54% voter approval last night, giving constitutional guarantees to the funding that supports realignment and safeguards against future program expansion without accompanying funding. With these provisions in place, counties can continue to thoughtfully and responsibly implement the array of programs transferred under 2011 realignment, confident that funding is secure and programmatic responsibilities defined.

Counties recognized that the constitutional protections contained in Proposition 30 were fundamental to local success in realignment. We embraced a partnership with the Administration focused on meaningful solutions — solutions that can only be achieved with revenue stability and program flexibility. 

It’s been a long almost-two years since we began this often-difficult conversation about the future of counties and the role we would play in delivering critical services in our communities. You have been there — through participation in our working groups, conference calls, policy meetings, and legislative advocacy — and you have made a difference. With this important piece of the realignment discussion positively resolved, we can focus our collective efforts on providing realigned services in an efficient and effective manner. We thank you for your support and leadership in helping us achieve this goal.

We also wish to express our appreciation for Governor Jerry Brown and his team, whose unfailing commitment to realignment protections has been remarkable. The Governor made a promise to counties and, last night, he delivered.

Certainly, this is not the end of our realignment efforts, but a starting point from which to move forward in a meaningful way.