THE BUZZ — SPEED BUMPS: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bold plan to help California’s most vulnerable residents isn’t getting the praise or resounding support he might have hoped for. Senate Bill 1338, which outlines the governor’s proposal for a mental health arm of California’s civil courts, got its first hearing on Tuesday. Opponents — and even some Democratic lawmakers — went back and forth with the bill’s advocates over whether such a system could realistically be effective and, perhaps most importantly, respect the civil liberties of the people it’s meant to help. Under the Care Court framework, an individual experiencing a severe psychotic disorder who lacks the capacity to make sound medical decisions could appear before a superior court judge, who could then order the county to provide services to that person. If the person doesn’t participate, they could be subject to more court hearings and the potential for conservatorship. If approved by lawmakers , Care Courts would be one of the most aggressive tools the state has to help those with severe mental health and substance abuse problems — a group increasingly visible on California sidewalks and underpasses and one of voters’ top concerns. Newsom and the Legislature have approved billions of dollars to build housing across the state in recent years, but it could be years before those units come online. Care Courts, alternatively, are an immediate and visible solution to one of the most heartbreaking sides of homelessness. An individual in Care Court would get a public defender and a supporter to help them advocate for themselves. But that hasn’t placated civil rights groups, which have blasted the plan as involuntary and coercive. Then there are the groups who say the legislation doesn’t do enough. A number of county organizations approached the podium on Tuesday with an “in between” stance, neither supporting or opposing. Those groups argue that counties don’t necessarily need a court order to provide people with help, but they do need some dedicated state dollars for the staff and resources that would go toward Care Court clients. California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly was in the hearing room to defend the legislation, and reiterate its urgent need. Without action, the state would stay “mired in a stale and deadly — yes, deadly — conversation, about having not enough of this or not enough of that, as our excuse not to serve the most sick, vulnerable and sadly overlooked Californians,” he said. Democrats on the committee offered cautious support for the bill, with the caveat that there are still kinks to be worked out. Sen. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) said he has “confidence it’s going to get there,” and expressed a desire for more funding for voluntary mental health services. Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) asked if the state could reasonably house clients from the program, given the shortage of units. Ghaly assured Durazo that the state can meet the needs of the estimated 7,000 to 12,000 people the program will affect. “We don’t understand exactly how everything is going to work out — we’re asked to take a leap of faith here,” Durazo said. “Making this decision, it’s tough, but it’s tougher to see human beings on the street like that.” BUENOS DÍAS, good Wednesday morning. Speaking of housing, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks ’ high-profile bill to allow residential building on commercial land is up in committee today. AB 2011 is touted as one of the most labor-friendly housing bills in recent memory, but still faces opposition from the formidable Trades. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte. QUOTE OF THE DAY — “His attempt to criminalize news reporting goes against well-established constitutional law. We will vigorously defend Tchekmedyian’s and the Los Angeles Times’ right in any proceeding or investigation brought by authorities.” — LA Times Executive Editor Kevin Merida after Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced he would investigate reporter Alene Tchekmedyian for her reporting about an alleged coverup in Villanueva’s office. TWEET OF THE DAY: San Francisco YIMBY Jane Natoli @wafoli on hour six of public debate about whether to close the Golden Gate Park’s JFK drive to car traffic: “The City That Knows How To Have Terminally Exhaustive Public Comment.” WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. GIVE A WARM WELCOME: We are thrilled to announce Blake Jones will be joining POLITICO’s California team next month as our California education reporter. Blake joins us from Idaho Education News, where he has covered education politics, policy and finance and the Idaho Legislature for the past year. He starts May 10, but in the meantime, you can follow him on Twitter @jonesblakej
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