Prop 63 did raise taxes and a budget proposal worth billions is now weaving its way through the legislature. So not true that they couldn’t raise taxes because they did
That is not the reason that spending on mental illness can not be increased.
I mean, yes it is, unless you have equivalent cuts somewhere else you're willing to make that can get through the legislature.
I know what you mean, it's just wrong. Spending on mental health is not tied to tax rates constitutionally such that politicians can't change it. They're probably glad not to change it because misinformed voters think it's still Reagan's fault.