OAN Staff James Meyers
11:58 AM – Thursday, July 25, 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Thursday to direct state agencies on how to remove homeless encampments. This moves comes a month after the Supreme Court ruled that cities are allowed to enforce bans on people sleeping outside in public spaces.
Newsom’s (D-Calif.) new order comes as thousands of tents and makeshift shelters have flooded the Golden State’s freeways, shopping centers, city parks and sidewalks.
However, the latest order makes it clear that the decision to remove the homeless encampments remains in local hands.
The case that made its way up to the Supreme Court comes as cities across the nation have wrestled with how to deal with clearing out homeless people and public frustration over health and safety issues.
“There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” Newsom said in a statement.
The order can’t force local authorities to act, but Newsom’s administration can pressure them by withholding money for counties and cities in the state.
Currently, California is home to almost one-third of the nation’s homeless population.
Newsom claimed that his administration has spent around $24 billion, aimed at cleaning up streets and housing the homeless. However, California officials have had trouble accounting for the money and what it went to specifically to help the homeless population.
“This is standard Gavin Newsom—make a splashy announcement, waste a bunch of taxpayer money, and completely fail to deliver,” James Gallagher, the Republican leader of the California Assembly, said in a previous statement to Fox News. “Californians are tired of the homeless crisis, and they’re even more tired of Gavin’s excuses. We need results—period, full stop.”
A recent state audit revealed that the state didn’t track whether the huge amount of public money actually improved the situation.
Meanwhile, the order comes as more Republicans continue to voice criticism of California’s “illogical, faulty tactics” in combating its homelessness crisis as Vice President Kamala Harris, a former California district attorney (DA), launched her presidential campaign this week.
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