Sacramento City Council Members Still Fighting For Marijuana Tax After Defeat

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Three Sacramento City Council members are working to bring back a marijuana tax initiative that would help fund youth programs around the city.

The initiative was struck down by voters earlier in June, but the council members aren't giving up.

"We need to talk about what we can do to prevent youth crime from happening," says Derrell Roberts, CEO of the Roberts Family Development Center in North Sacramento.

Roberts has paved the way for many children and families in the last 30 years, primarily in Del Paso Heights, a low-income neighborhood with few opportunities.

For Roberts, the extra money means giving more youth a chance to shine.

"It's really about investing in our kids and it actually puts dollars into programs that will help make them our future leaders," said Sacramento City Council member Jay Schenirer, who is backing the marijuana tax initiative.

The initiative was first proposed as Measure Y in the beginning of 2016, but was struck down by voters in June.

Measure Y called for a five-percent tax on marijuana grows, and the revenue would go to fund youth programs.

Schenirer says there's a huge demand for youth programs around the city.

But, city councilman Jeff Harris opposed the measure, which stated the revenue from the tax was restricted only to funding youth programs.

Harris supports helping youth around Sacramento, but is asking for a more flexible plan.

Under the new proposed marijuana tax initiative, city council members would have the power to decide where the money goes.

The proposed initiative would call for a four-percent tax, giving youth programs anywhere between $3 million and $5 million a year.

The initiative goes to the city's audit and budget committee in July for consideration.