LA County Weighs Sales Tax Hike to Combat Homelessness Amid State Scrutiny

Hold onto your hats, fellow patriots! The Golden State’s homelessness crisis has taken yet another dramatic turn, and this time, it’s pitting Democrat against Democrat in a political showdown that would make even the most seasoned reality TV producers blush. Governor Gavin Newsom, in a rare moment of clarity, has decided it’s time to clean up California’s streets. But not everyone’s on board with this sudden burst of common sense. Buckle up, folks—this ride’s about to get bumpy!

Newsom’s Executive Order Sparks Controversy

Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued an executive order to address the growing problem of homeless encampments on state property. This move came on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows local governments to enforce anti-camping ordinances without providing alternative sleeping arrangements. Newsom’s order emphasizes the urgency for local governments to take action, effectively putting pressure on cities like Los Angeles to clean up their act.

“We have now no excuse with the Supreme Court decision. This executive order is about pushing that paradigm further and getting the sense of urgency that’s required of local government to do their job,” tweeted Gavin Newsom on X.

Los Angeles Mayor Pushes Back

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, however, is not having any of it. She’s criticized both the Supreme Court decision and Newsom’s order, arguing that removing encampments would criminalize homeless individuals. This stance has created a visible rift among California Democrats, with some supporting Newsom’s more aggressive approach and others backing Bass’s hesitancy to clear encampments.

“The criminalization of homelessness and poverty is dangerous,” said Karen Bass recently.

Funding and Accountability Measures

While the political drama unfolds, Los Angeles County is taking steps to address the homelessness crisis through funding and accountability measures. The county will soon vote on a ballot measure to increase sales tax for homelessness programs. This comes in the wake of a state auditor report that criticized the lack of accountability in tracking homelessness spending.

“Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that cities may enforce an anti-camping ordinance, California politicians have no shield against the fury of state residents who are sick to death of seeing tent encampments on the sidewalks, streets, median strips, freeway embankments, pedestrian bridges, parks, beaches, and other public spaces,” says Susan Shelley, writing for the San Bernardino Sun.

The proposed sales tax increase aims to provide more resources for homelessness programs, but questions remain about how effectively these funds will be utilized, given past criticisms of spending accountability.