Measure J is an amendment to the Los Angeles County Charter allocating no less than 10 percent of the locally generated, unrestricted revenues in the county budget’s general fund to address the disproportionate impact of racial injustice through community investment and alternatives to incarceration. These funds could not be used for law enforcement agencies.
This measure, billed as “Re-Imagine LA County,” was placed on the ballot by the LA County Board of Supervisors and the charter amendment shall become operative on July 1, 2021, if passed.
Alternatives to incarceration, including: community-based restorative justice programs; pre-trial non-custody service and treatment; community -based health services, such as counseling, wellness and prevention programs, mental health and substance use disorder services ; and non-custodial diversion and reentry programs would receive funding.
Additionally, funds would be available for community-based youth development programs; job training services; small minority-owned businesses; and supportive housing.
Supporters include Elise Buik, president and CEO, United Way of Greater LA; Patrisse Cullors, chair, Reform LA Jails and Hector Villagra, executive director, ACLU of Southern California.
The measure’s opponents feel that racial injustice will not be fixed by permanently cutting funds from essential services provided by the county’s emergency response workers, nurses, 911 operators and social workers.
Opponents include Kathryn Barber, chair of the LA County Board of Supervisors; Don Knabe, retired LA County Supervisor and Lambert Adouki, Long Beach community organizer.
