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Vista Council urges state to fund Prop 36 implementation to expand local treatment capacity

Vista City Council · March 11, 2026

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Summary

The council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the state to provide adequate, ongoing funding for Prop 36 implementation to ensure local capacity for beds, programming and housing necessary for the law's rehabilitation goals.

Deputy Mayor O'Donnell asked the council on March 10 to adopt a resolution urging the state to fund local implementation of Proposition 36, which the presenter said will require substantial ongoing state support for program beds, treatment and housing.

Deputy Mayor O'Donnell described presentations he had received at CAL Cities and said past one‑time state funding fell short of projected needs; he cited estimates that $250 million to $400 million per year statewide will be required for full implementation. "Prop 36 passed in 2024 with nearly 70% of the vote," he said, and he asked the council to press for funding to support local program capacity and successful rehabilitation outcomes.

Councilmembers discussed how Prop 36 provides a court‑based alternative to incarceration for many qualifying offenses, noted the program has shown strong acceptance among eligible participants, and emphasized that successful implementation requires workforce, housing and program funding. The council unanimously adopted the resolution and the deputy mayor said he would share the measure with other local cities as part of a county‑level advocacy effort.