LOS ANGELES (AP) — Voters have told lawmakers not to take money from mental health programs to help close the state deficit.

Voters rejected Proposition 1E in Tuesday’s special election.

Lawmakers
put the measure on the ballot in hopes of transferring $460 million
over the next two years from mental health services.

It was
backed by Senate President Darrell Steinberg who championed the
original 2004 initiative that taxed millionaires to raise funds for
mental health programs.

The Democrat from Sacramento had argued lawmakers were faced with difficult choices in a deepening recession.

Critics had warned the measure would cost the state more in the long run if mentally ill people were left without treatment.