Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill Reinstating Funding for San Francisco-Based Trauma Recovery Center
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has vetoed a bill (AB 1768) that would have authorized $1.3 million to continue operations at the Trauma Recovery Center in San Francisco for one year, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, 10/13).
The bill would have reinstated funding to the center from the state Victim Compensation Fund. The center's previously $1.3 million in grants from the fund expired in July (California Healthline, 8/15).
In a four-paragraph veto message, Schwarzenegger said VCF "was established to assist all victims of crime by providing reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses." He said funding an organization instead of individuals is an incorrect use of the fund, "even for a program as successful as the Trauma Recovery Center."
According to the Chronicle, the veto could mean the center -- which has helped 2,000 crime victims seek therapy and return to work -- will be forced to close (San Francisco Chronicle, 10/13).