Monday, July 12, 2004

Judge rules state must fund service (California)
San Diego Union Tribune story - "A Sacramento judge has issued what could become a more far-reaching order granting San Diego County the right to refuse to meet a mandate requiring support of a mental health program the state calls for but does not fund. The program, which provides services to schoolchildren, must continue because of federal law, but the state will be forced to pay for it. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey L. Gunther ruled in favor of the county last week, agreeing with the contention that it is a violation of the state constitution to order local governments to provide programs without giving them sufficient funding to pay for the services. "