Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is back on the East Coast this week as part of his ongoing push to expand funding for mental health services nationwide.
Steinberg announced plans to campaign for a $10 billion investment in preventing and treating mental health issues across the country in the wake of the December shooting at a Newtown, Conn. elementary school. He took his call for creating a national mental health initiative modeled after California's Proposition 63 to Washington, D.C., last month, when he spent several days meeting with members of Congress and Obama administration officials.
Now, the Sacramento Democrat has flown to New York City for two days of media interviews and meetings with finance and political leaders, including former Gov. George Pataki.
Steinberg spokesman Rhys Williams said the senator's latest trip, which is partially paid for by the state, is focused on "forging new relationships" as he seeks to build a "national coalition of support" for his initiative. He plans to return to Washington as part of his campaign and will host a public discussion on the topic with Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui next week in Sacramento.
"He's committed to pushing this idea of a national mental health care framework based on what's worked in California," Williams said.
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Steinberg heading to D.C. to talk mental health with officials
PHOTO CREDIT: Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg holds a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 in Sacramento, Calif. to discuss topics following the November election. Randy Pench/The Sacramento Bee.
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