California's Republican senators are criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom for what they call a “publicity stunt” after he announced a new initiative to dismantle homeless encampments across the state through an executive order. Republicans criticized Newsom in a news release after he announced the initiative Thursday, with his office stating that the governor has directed “state agencies and departments to adopt clear policies that urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and well-being of all Californians.”
“It’s about damn time. Letting people live and die on the streets or in our parks is unsafe and unhealthy,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego). “I introduced a proposal earlier this year that would have provided even greater and more immediate solutions. While I am cautiously optimistic that the governor has finally taken note of the urgency of this problem, albeit many years after it was necessary, Californians deserve a government for the people, not for public relations successes.”
GOVERNOR NEWSOM ORDERS ELIMINATING HOMELESS CAMPS ACROSS CALIFORNIA: 'NO MORE EXCUSES'
Governor Gavin Newsom, left, and people at a homeless encampment in California, right (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images and Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
Senate Bill 1011Introduced by Jones and all Senate Republicans in February, it was a bipartisan effort that would have gone even further in clearing homeless encampments, but it was rejected by Democrats on the Senate Public Safety Committee.
Senate Republicans have introduced a series of bills in recent years to address California's growing and rampant homelessness crisis, but have largely met with resistance from Newsom and legislative Democrats.
“Homelessness is one of the greatest challenges we face today and it is imperative that we take swift, decisive and effective action to address it,” said Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks). “This executive order is a good step, but it will require significant follow-through to ensure its effectiveness.”
The statement from Newsom's office said the executive order “directs state agencies and departments to adopt humane and dignified policies to urgently address encampments on state property, including by taking necessary and deliberate steps to notify and support individuals inhabiting the encampment prior to its removal.”
The governor assures that this initiative was promoted by the Supreme Court Decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson last month, which found that laws restricting sleeping in public areas did not violate the constitutional restriction against “cruel and unusual punishment.”
A HUGE RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN CALIFORNIA WILL OFFER PRIVATE ROOMS, GYM, CAFE AND MORE AMENITIES FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
“The state has worked hard to address this crisis on our streets,” Newsom said. “There are simply no more excuses. It's time for everyone to do their part.”
The order is expected to affect Tens of thousands of Californians homeless who have set up long-term camps and occupied entire city blocks, consuming drugs in the open.
“Big promises. No action. Blame the neighbors. No press. Repeatedly,” Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher wrote in response to Newsom's order in a post on X.
California Republican leaders call for accountability after state fails to account for $24 billion in spending on homeless crisis
A homeless encampment on the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some California Democrats are questioning why Gov. Gavin Newsom's homeless council has failed to track the success of the billions of dollars spent to curb the homelessness crisis over the past five years. (Toby Canham for Fox News Digital)
In April, California Republican Party leaders called for more accountability after an audit found the state had spent about $24 billion to address the homelessness crisis over the past five years but failed to consistently track whether the massive outlay of public money did anything to actually improve the problem.
The state auditor's report found that despite roughly $24 billion spent on housing and homelessness programs during fiscal years 2018-2023, the problem has not improved in many cities, according to the state auditor's report.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California, the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count A report released in December estimated that more than 180,000 people were homeless in California, up 6% from the previous count.
Fox News Digital's Timothy Nerozzi and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
