May Revision cuts shrink some behavioral health investments; commission flags children and youth impacts

Deputy Director Norma Pate summarized the governor's May Revision and its potential impacts on behavioral health programs discussed at the commission meeting. The May Revision updates the state’s fiscal outlook and proposes reductions and delays that affect existing behavioral health proposals and MHSA/BHSA‑related dollars.

Key budget proposals and effects: Norma Pate told the commission the May Revision increases the fiscal shortfall and proposes targeted reductions, including a reduction of about $854.6 million for health care workforce initiatives across several years and a proposed elimination or delay of roughly $184.4 million in Mental Health Services Fund allocations slated until 2026. The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) would face cuts: approximately $72.3 million in the current year and about $354.6 million in subsequent years across school‑linked health partnerships, capacity grants for institutions of higher education, community‑defined and evidence‑based grants, public education campaigns and crisis pilots. The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) and certain housing bond allocations were also reduced in the Revision.

Commission response and concerns: Commissioners expressed concern about cuts to CYBHI and other prevention and equity‑focused components, stressing the long‑term value of early intervention, culturally responsive services and the risk that reductions will disproportionately affect BIPOC and LGBTQ populations. Vice Chair Alvarez and others asked staff to engage with the department and legislature and to monitor budget hearings; commissioners volunteered to help champion protections for child and youth investments.

What happens next: Staff said they will continue to track budget subcommittee hearings and report updates to the commission as the Legislature considers the May Revision and as final budget decisions emerge in June and July. Pate also noted the May Revision includes a proposal to add three positions to the commission for BHSA implementation support and a small allocation for the commission’s name change work; she said those staffing proposals were included despite other reductions.

The meeting record shows commission members and public commenters urging staff to elevate concerns about equity and to work with partners to preserve prevention‑oriented investments as implementation of BHSA proceeds.