Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has recently permitted the state of California to clear homeless encampments. This comes following a Supreme Court decision this year allowing the government to do just that.
Now with the election in full swing, Newsom is pressuring California local governments to show results in how many homeless are cleared. The LA Times reports:
With television cameras rolling and traffic on a busy San Fernando Valley freeway humming in the background, Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened on Thursday to take away state funding from counties that don’t show improvement on homelessness.
“If we don’t see demonstrable results, I’ll start to redirect money,” Newsom said.
Homelessness has been a major issue in California. The mild weather all year round and lax enforcement of crime has meant many addicts have flocked to the state in order to have that lifestyle. The Guardian continues:
Last month, Newsom ordered state agencies to start clearing encampments on state land. The order cited a controversial US supreme court decisionsaying unhoused people sleeping outside can be ticketed and jailed even when there is no shelter available, and directed state agencies to develop policies to remove encampments along freeways and other properties under its jurisdiction. The order also urged local governments to follow suit.
Newsom can’t legally force local governments to act, but he can pressure them by withholding state funds.
Newsom is tightening up crime enforcement in the state, as the state continues to lose population. Many people leave California for Texas or other states in the West, though some bring those same politics with them.
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