The kids need our support by jeff vonkaenel
j e ffv @ne w s re v i e w . c o m
Schenirer all spoke about the need to Everybody loves kids, especially those have more youth programs every day, kids who share our DNA. We make not just one weekend. many sacrifices for our children: Some money for youth programs sleepless nights, trips to the doctor, could come from Measure U, which thousands of dollars spent on food, voters approved in November to shelter and clothes. increase the city sales tax by a half But other people’s kids? Well, cent, enough to bring in an additional that’s a different story. $50 million a year. Youth have plenty of needs. They But we’ve already set many goals need education. They need health for Measure U revenues, including care. And they need things to do housing, jobs programs and more. For when they’re not in school—parks, this to work, Measure U will need to gyms, music programs and sports, for be like Jesus feeding the multitudes example. But these needs have to be with just a few loaves of bread. considered in the context of all the And before the city can fund community’s needs—housing, police additional youth programs, it first and fire, transportation—and how must figure out how to pay for higher much we’re willing to pay in taxes. CalPERS pension obligations, While there are about 120,000 which are estimated to rise by people younger than 18 in $62 million by 2022-23. Sacramento, they can’t There really are only vote, and they don’t two choices. The city contribute to political Youth have could ask voters for campaigns. So they plenty of needs. another tax hike to can be ignored. fund youth programs. Otherwise, there They need education. Or it can become would be no need to They need health more efficient. have a petition drive care. Most of the city’s for the Sacramento general fund budget Children’s Fund Act, a goes to police and fire. proposed initiative for the Replacing one firefighter March 2020 ballot requiring with a civilian paramedic in that 2.5 percent of the city’s unreambulances, and switching from four stricted funds, or about $12.5 million a firefighters to three on most engines year, go to youth programs. would save more than $6 million a What cannot be ignored is several year, according to a recent city study. hundred teenagers showing up on But here’s the problem. Unlike repeated nights at Arden Fair mall youth, firefighters vote and their causing chaos—a wake-up call for union contributes mightily to political Sacramento, pointing to the lack of campaigns. This makes this common low-cost youth programs. sense proposal a political nonstarter. At a January 3 press conference at We need to come up with a plan. Our the Urban League in Del Paso Heights, kids need us to lobby and vote for them. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg Then they can gather for sports and and City Council members praised music, not have brawls at a mall. Ω Sierra Health Foundation for funding 14 youth “pop-up” events the following weekend. Sierra Health Foundation Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority CEO Chet Hewitt and council members owner of the News & Review. Allen Warren, Rick Jennings and Jay
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