Governor Jerry Brown met with leaders from California counties Tuesday to discuss shifting more responsibilities to their level. It’s one of the goals he laid out in his inaugural address this week as part of a plan to deal with the state’s budget crisis.
The Governor said it would involve a number of state programs, from foster care to parole to food stamps.
“We’re going to try to redistribute power in a way that’s closest to the people, that it makes sense and that services and the work of government can be delivered in the most effective, transparent way,” Brown said.
The idea is that shifting more control to local governments who are already running many programs could increase efficiency and save the state money.
Members of the California State Association of Counties who met with Brown said they support the concept, but note that increased responsibility should come with increased funding.
