Editorial: Stop sitting on funds

Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 | 5:20 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

January 17 - 18, 2004

The 2001 Legislature acted from its heart when it created ample funds for young adults who must leave the state's foster-care system when they turn 18. With no money, no job and no guidance, many of the youths were becoming homeless or turning to crime. Assembly Bill 94 imposed filing and copying fees on transactions at county recorders' offices, with the revenue dedicated to helping the youths as they make this difficult transition.

Unfortunately, the state government's brain was not equally engaged. No one thought to ensure that once the money was collected, it would be efficiently distributed. Since the bill became law, $3.9 million has been collected but only $362,000 has been used to help youths with such needs as housing, clothing, health care, job training and education.

There is no point in saving the money for some future emergency as it is a self-perpetuating fund, generating enough money each year to help all of the youths in the ways that the Legislature intended. Youths right now, hundreds of them, need this money urgently. Former foster children should not be hurting while money intended to help them sits idle.