League of Cities lobbies for homeless $$ + Kiley chairs subcommittee targeting Julie Su
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LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES SAYS MORE FUNDING NEEDED TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS
The League of California Cities came to the Capitol Wednesday to lobby for more funding to address the crisis in homelessness.
According to a survey commissioned by the league, 85% of cities haveprograms to reduce and prevent homelessness, while 80% are spending general fund money to address the issue.
“The state’s homelessness crisis is so severe that the Governor has called in the National Guard, and several city leaders have declared emergencies in their jurisdictions. However, lasting progress will be out of reach without an ongoing source of state investment in local communities,” said League Executive Director Carolyn Coleman in a statement.
Nearly 90% of cities cited fiscal concerns about their ability to provide homeless services longterm.
““In fiscal year 22-23, our city spent over $3 million to address homelessness and invest in preserving low-income housing units in the city. Cities need long-term funding from the state to be able to grow our investment in addressing the homelessness and housing crisis,” said San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart in a statement.
In the survey, cities listed limited supportive housing options and lack of annual funding as two key problems to address.
“Our community is committed to addressing the urgent crisis of homelessness and affordable housing, but our efforts alone cannot meet the overwhelming demand,” said Citrus Heights City Council member Porsche Middleton in a statement.
The league is lobbying for $3 billion in annual funding which, according to the survey, cities would use to provide additional supportive services, increase shelter space, speed up affordable housing construction, invest in homeless outreach teams and expand rent subsidy programs.
KILEY TO CHAIR SUBCOMMITTEE LOOKING AT LABOR SECRETARY NOM JULIE SU
Via David Lightman...
Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, will chair his first subcommittee hearing next week, and topics will include “Julie Su’s role in destroying worker livelihoods.”
Su headed the California department that managed the state’s troubled unemployment system during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be U.S. Labor Secretary.
Kiley has led the effort to convince lawmakers she’s not qualified.
He doesn’t have a confirmation vote, though, since it’s the Senate that will consider the nomination. While her approval is not assured, it’s still a decent bet since Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, support her, and Democrats control 51 of the 100 seats.
Kiley is chairman of the House subcommittee on workforce protections. His hearing April 19 will involve “Examining Biden’s War on Independent Contractors”
It’s expected to focus on California’s Assembly Bill 5, designed to provide employee benefits such as minimum wages and overtime to many independent workers.
Kiley is concerned that similar policies could be adopted on the federal level.
Doing so, he said Wednesday, would be “depriving millions of Americans of the opportunity to work independently and start their own business. The Biden administration is all in on these failed policies, even nominating the architect of the disastrous AB 5 law, Julie Su, to head the Department of Labor.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”
- Rep. Ro Khanna, D-San Jose, via Twitter.
Best of The Bee:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein has not voted since Feb. 16, and it’s unclear whether she’ll return to Senate when it reconvenes next week. If the California Democrat steps down, Gov. Gavin Newsom is prepared to name a Black woman to the seat, via David Lightman.
A California bill that would ban additives found in foods like Skittles and fruit cups took a step forward this week, toward banning certain processed snacks — or at least changing their recipes, via Brianna Taylor.
E-cigarette maker Juul will pay nearly half a billion dollars as part of a settlement with six states, including California, and the District of Columbia, via Andrew Sheeler.
More than 2,000 students marched, danced and sang near the Capitol as part of an ongoing effort to increase funding for Black students in public schools, via Mathew Miranda.
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 4:55 AM.