Newsom orders removal of homeless encampments

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Thursday allowing state officials to begin dismantling homeless encampments.

The order comes in response to a recent Supreme Court decision that gave officials authority to remove the encampments and ticket people for camping in public.

Newsom called on California officials to “act with urgency to address dangerous encampments.”

The governor made his point even more directly in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday morning. “No more excuses. We’ve provided the time. We’ve provided the funds. Now it’s time for locals to do their job,” the post read.

While Newsom cannot force local authorities to act, his administration can apply pressure by withholding money for counties and cities.

The news comes as Angelenos are preparing to vote on a new tax increase to fund affordable housing and homeless services in Los Angeles.

The Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions & Prevention Now initiative proposes a tax hike to fund a “comprehensive homelessness response program” and invest in new strategies to address encampments and create affordable housing.

California was home to the highest number of homeless people, with an estimated 180,000 last year, the New York Times reported.

The order also comes as Republicans have stepped up their criticisms of California and its homelessness crisis as Vice President Kamala Harris — a former California district attorney, attorney general and senator — launches her presidential campaign.

Harris entered the race over the weekend after President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek reelection.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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