Date: October 1, 2002	Contact: Darren Pudgil
	tel: (619) 531-5894

SUPERVISORS ENDORSE SCHWARZENEGGER INITIATIVE

At the request of Board of Supervisors Chairman
Ron Roberts and Vice Chairman Greg Cox, the San Diego
County Board of Supervisors today unanimously endorsed a
state ballot measure that will dramatically increase the number
of after-school programs across California.

Sponsored by actor/action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger, Proposition 49,
the After School Education and Safety Act, would set aside up to $550 million each year for after-school programs at elementary and middle schools.

“Several years ago, this Board launched the Critical Hours program, the first after-school program of its kind in San Diego County,” said Roberts. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the money to put them in every school. That’s why this initiative is so important!”

“I’d like to thank Chairman Roberts and Vice Chairman Cox for all their help,” said Schwarzenegger.

Following today’s vote, Roberts and Cox joined Schwarzenegger at a noontime press conference in Mountain View to announce the County’s support and to promote the initiative. Speaking at Chollas Elementary School, Schwarzenegger thanked Roberts and Cox for spearheading this initiative locally.

If approved by voters, Proposition 49 would provide annual grants of between $50,000 and $75,000 per school. Funding awards would not be available until 2004 or until state revenues increase by $1.5 billion.