Newsom Issues Executive Oder On Encampments
Today, we're delving into a heated debate in California's political landscape. Senate Republicans are taking a strong stance against Governor Gavin Newsom's recent executive order aimed at dismantling homeless encampments across the state. They claim it's more of a publicity stunt than a genuine solution to the escalating homelessness crisis.
Governor Newsom announced the new initiative on Thursday, directing state agencies and departments to develop policies that urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and well-being of all Californians. The Governor's office emphasized that this move is crucial for the safety and sanitation of public spaces.
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, representing San Diego, expressed both frustration and cautious optimism. He said, "It’s about damn time! Letting people live and die on the streets or in our parks is unsafe and unsanitary." Jones pointed out that he had introduced a proposal earlier this year offering more immediate solutions. However, he criticized the Governor for taking too long to act, adding that Californians deserve action rather than public relations maneuvers.
No more excuses.
We’ve provided the time.
We’ve provided the funds.
Now it’s time for locals to do their job. https://t.co/oMQiWggJBa
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 25, 2024
Earlier this year, Jones, along with all Senate Republicans, introduced Senate Bill 1011, a bipartisan effort to address homelessness more aggressively. Unfortunately, this bill was rejected by Democrats in the Senate Committee on Public Safety. Republicans have continuously proposed various measures to combat homelessness, only to face significant resistance from Newsom and Democratic lawmakers.
Senator Roger Niello of Fair Oaks acknowledged the executive order as a positive step but stressed the need for substantial follow-through to ensure its success. "Homelessness is one of the biggest challenges we face today, and it is imperative we take swift, decisive and effective action to address it," Niello said.
The executive order from Newsom's office instructs state agencies to adopt humane and dignified policies for dealing with encampments on state property. It emphasizes the need to notify and support the individuals inhabiting these encampments before any removal action is taken. Newsom attributed the timing of this initiative to the recent Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which determined that laws restricting sleeping in public areas do not violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
Newsom remarked, "The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part."
Despite the Governor's assurances, GOP Assembly Leader James Gallagher remains skeptical. He took to social media, stating, "Big promises. No action. Blame locals. No press. Rinse and repeat."
Back in April, California GOP leaders demanded more accountability after an audit revealed that the state had spent around $24 billion over the past five years on homelessness initiatives, yet failed to consistently track the effectiveness of these expenditures. The state auditor's report found that despite this massive outlay, the homelessness problem did not improve significantly in many cities.
According to the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count released by the Public Policy Institute of California, over 180,000 people were homeless in the state, marking a 6% increase from the previous count. This statistic underscores the urgency and complexity of addressing the homelessness crisis in California.