America’s homeless ‘epicenter’

From: POLITICO California Playbook - Wednesday Dec 21,2022 02:21 pm

Dec 21, 2022

By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White and Owen Tucker-Smith

THE BUZZ: If President Joe Biden wants to take a big bite out of homelessness, what better place to start than in Los Angeles?

That was newly-elected Mayor Karen Bass’ message on Tuesday as she set out to meet the central promise of her campaign: getting Angelenos off the streets and sidewalks. To say it’s a gargantuan task is an understatement. Los Angeles has the largest population of people experiencing homelessness in the nation (54,469), the vast majority of whom are unsheltered. Past piecemeal approaches have only led to frustration.

Bass throughout her campaign has touted her ability to pull down resources from all levels of government, including Washington. But following an announcement from the Biden administration this week, she may not have to do much federal lobbying. The latest nationwide count, the first since the pandemic, found homelessness rose slightly in the last two years. In response the president has launched a plan to cut that number by a quarter over the next two years. California as a whole contains 30 percent of all unhoused Americans.

If Biden wants to reduce homelessness by 25 percent, making a significant investment in LA will help him get there, Bass said at a meeting Tuesday of the LA County Board of Supervisors. “We’re the epicenter for the country,” she said.

Bass, in the second week of her mayorship , was at the meeting to ask supervisors to support the emergency declaration she made immediately after her inauguration. The city and county work independently of each other but collaboration is crucial when it comes to homelessness. City officials generally are responsible for shelter, while the county handles services.

Supervisors unanimously voted to support the declaration, even linking arms with Bass in a show of solidarity.

Los Angeles Mayor-elect Karen Bass addresses a news conference.

Los Angeles Mayor-elect Karen Bass addresses a news conference after her L.A. mayoral election win on November 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. | David McNew/Getty Images

The pressure is on for Bass to make big strides in this arena. California for years has been a punching bag for pundits who point to the sprawling encampments as evidence of government incompetence and mismanagement. At the same time, advocates have decried some of the recent pushes to relocate homeless populations as inhumane.

It’ll be a tight line to walk, but the new mayor isn’t wasting any time. She has said she wants to get 17,000 of the city’s 40,000 unsheltered residents indoors within her first year, and yesterday she launched her first outreach program meant to move folks off the streets and into hotels and motels.

BUENOS DÍAS, good Wednesday morning. It is officially illegal to sell flavored tobacco in the state of California. After voters last month resoundingly rejected Proposition 31, and the Supreme Court rebuffed the tobacco industry’s last-ditch effort to halt the law, the statewide prohibition bill signed in 2019 finally takes effect today.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We live in earthquake country. This is another example of the fact that earthquakes can occur at any time without notice." Mark Ghilarducci, director of Cal OES, following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck near Humboldt County around 2:34 a.m. Tuesday morning. The quake resulted in two deaths, 11 injuries and left more than 70,000 people without power. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency.

TWEET OF THE DAY:

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WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

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Top Talkers

THE AFTERMATH — “2 people are dead, 12 injured after 6.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Northern California,” by CNN’s Jason Hanna, Caroll Alvarado and Stella Chan: “A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Northern California’s Eureka area early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, leaving at least two people dead, drawing reports of damage to roads and homes, shaking residents from their sleep and leaving tens of thousands without electricity.”

BEHIND THE CALM — “Why California’s 2022 Wildfire Season Was Unexpectedly Quiet,” by the New York Times’ Elena Shao: “This year’s relatively mild wildfire season doesn’t mean that the landscape was much less vulnerable, that the forests were in better condition or that climate change had less of an effect on the intensity and behavior of wildfires than in previous years, Ms. Quinn-Davidson said.”

CAMPAIGN MODE

CERVANTES SENATE BID: Assembly member Sabrina Cervantes has launched a run for the 31st Senate district that Sen. Richard Roth is vacating in 2024. Cervantes will be vying with fellow Democrat Angelo Farooq, who rolled out recently with statewide official’s endorsements and about $600,000 on hand. Cervantes also had about $600,000 in her account in late October and announced with Roth’s blessing and some statewide endorsements. This is the second Senate Dem-on-Dem to take shape this month, with Sens. Dave Min and Josh Newman both seeking SD-37.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

— “As L.A. County’s mental health workers burn out, some weigh options,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Sarah Parvini: “The county faces an acute shortage of mental health workers, which has led to serious understaffing at county-run clinics and other facilities at a time of rising demand. But filling vacant spots has proven to be a major challenge.”

SPENDING SENSE — “$24 billion projected budget deficit may test California’s resolve to grow safety net amid recession,” by CalMatters’ Alejandro Lazo and Jeanne Kuang: “California faces a projected deficit next year even if the U.S. avoids a recession. Despite the expected shortfall, policymakers say they’ll maintain spending on social programs though advocates are calling for more.”

— “Union membership declines again among California state workers. Leaders blame remote work,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Maya Miller: “Union membership among California state workers dipped in 2022, according to data from the State Controller’s Office. The trend reflects the challenge of recruiting new members in the era of hybrid and remote work, union leaders say. Just under 65% of workers across California government paid union dues in October, according to the most recent data available from the controller’s office.”

NUMBER ONE FAN — “Why I’m betting big on San Francisco,” Opines Michael Shvo for the San Francisco Chronicle: “In addition to being one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, I believe the Pyramid is a metaphor for the city and the soul of this community. San Francisco has always been defined by innovators, artists and iconoclasts — and it is this city’s culture of visionary optimism that makes its communities so special.”

CHEAT SHEET — “What has California’s government been up to lately? Here’s your updated primer,” by CalMatters’ David Lesher: “We have a staff of expert journalists around the state who spend each year reading reports, following bills and talking to elected leaders, advocates, experts and those experiencing the problems and changes to life in California. And once again this year, they have created an updated primer on how California state government works and what it’s been up to in the past year.”

GRAND TOTAL — “Here's how much a new report says it would take to end California's homeless crisis,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Kevin Fagan: “A new report estimates California could end homelessness by 2035 if it spent at least $8.1 billion every year on the problem, a daunting goal that points out the enormity of the challenge despite ramped-up efforts in recent years.”

— “New State Bill Would Require Narcan in Public Spaces to Avert Overdose Deaths,” by the San Francisco Standard’s Mike Ege: “San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney is introducing legislation to require opioid blocker nasal sprays to be made available in public spaces for use in treating drug overdoses.”

NEWSOM VS. BENITEZ — “Ruling on California gun law renews Gov. Gavin Newsom’s feud with federal judge,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Andrew Sheeler: “SB 1327, signed by Newsom in July, allows members of the public to sue gun manufacturers. He intended it as an attack on the Texas abortion statute that, in addition to effectively banning the procedure after six weeks, grants a similar right to sue anyone seeking or providing an abortion.”

— “What You Need To Know About California’s Ban On Flavored Tobacco Sales,” by LAist’s Jackie Fortiér: “Starting on Dec. 21, California becomes the second state after Massachusetts to ban the sale of many flavored tobacco products, including vape pens, cartridges and menthol cigarettes. Advocates say the goal is to make it harder for children and teens to become addicted to nicotine by banning the sale of sweet flavors that appeal to them.”

A NEW POLITICO PODCAST: POLITICO Tech is an authoritative insider briefing on the politics and policy of technology. From crypto and the metaverse to cybersecurity and AI, we explore the who, what and how of policy shaping future industries. We’re kicking off with a series exploring darknet marketplaces, the virtual platforms that enable actors from all corners of the online world to traffic illicit goods. As malware and cybercrime attacks become increasingly frequent, regulators and law enforcement agencies work different angles to shut these platforms down, but new, often more unassailable marketplaces pop up. SUBSCRIBE AND START LISTENING TODAY.

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

LETTER FROM DC — Your mail truck is getting greener, by POLITICO’s Robin Bravender: The U.S. Postal Service rolled out a plan today to put more than 66,000 electric vehicles on the streets by 2028. The move is a huge boon for the Biden administration, which wants to slash greenhouse gas emissions by making government vehicles electric. USPS operates more than 200,000 vehicles — about one-third of the federal civilian fleet.

ROE & THE VOTERS — Abortion roiled the midterms. Now it will define the presidential race, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Meridith McGraw: Republican presidential hopefuls — such as Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose state’s 15-week abortion ban would have been at the leading edge of the anti-abortion movement a year ago — enter the 2024 cycle under pressure to go farther.

— “Congressional panel votes to release Trump’s tax returns to public,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Nolan D. McCaskill: “A House panel voted along party lines Tuesday to release former President Trump’s tax returns, an unprecedented move that marks the culmination of a years-long legal battle to disclose his financial records.”

SILICON VALLEYLAND

ANYONE WANT A JOB? — “Elon Musk actively searching for a new Twitter CEO, sources say,” by CNBC’s Ashley Capoot: “Twitter owner and CEO Elon Musk is searching for a new chief executive of the company, sources told CNBC’s David Faber. Musk, who acquired the company for $44 billion in October, has previously said his position as CEO would be temporary.”

— “Elon Musk’s Twitter lays off engineers days before Christmas,” by SFGate’s Joshua Bote: “A key division of Elon Musk’s Twitter has reportedly been gutted, just weeks after the San Francisco tech company’s staff was already slashed (and days before Christmas). Engineers in Twitter’s infrastructure division were laid off via an emailed notice Friday evening.”

MIXTAPE

THINK TWICE — “UC Santa Barbara ‘Dormzilla’ housing plan is a safety threat without changes, report says,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Teresa Watanabe.

— “The Condor becomes San Francisco's first legacy strip club business,” by SFGate’s Dan Gentile.

FEELING GOLDEN — “California cities dominate list of happiest in US: study,” by the Hill’s Gianna Melillo.

— “SF Magic Mushroom Shop Raided For Allegedly Selling Meth,” by the San Francisco Standard’s David Sjostedt.

— “Scott Peterson is denied a new trial in the death of his pregnant wife,” by NBC News’ Minyvonne Burke.

CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this -only service offers, click here.

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