Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has made progress. He deserves to be re-elected

Darrell Steinberg has challengers as he pursues a second term. But it would be hard to find any candidate more prepared to lead at Sacramento City Hall than Mayor Steinberg.

Mac Arteaga and Jrmar Jefferson are running against Steinberg for mayor.

Steinberg has pushed members of the Sacramento City Council to find solutions for homelessness in their own districts, most visibly with his “8 x 100” plan that called for each member representing Sacramento’s eight districts to find 100 shelter beds.

When Councilmember Larry Carr pushed back on a proposed shelter in his district without putting forward alternatives, Steinberg modified the shelter to serve only women and children and, ultimately, the council pushed it through. It will open in April and will only serve women.

Steinberg campaigned to gain voter approval for Measure U, a sales tax. The measure succeeded and now Sacramento will issue a $100 million bond to subsidize new affordable housing. He has boldly called for at least 30 percent of the bond go toward “efficiency housing” that is faster and more affordable than traditional units.

Some have argued using Measure U funds to securitize bonds is a less than ideal solution for a sales tax that was supposed to go to improving life for Sacramentans, especially those in historically underserved neighborhoods. The first city budget projection after the tax was passed showed revenue going toward old obligations, like pensions. We hope as Steinberg moves forward he looks to keep the promises made to voters with respect to how funding is allocated.

The mayor also helped engineer a professional soccer team’s arrival. It will play in a new stadium that will bring development of the Downtown Railyards, a languishing area of town in need of investment.

His successes are balanced by challenges. Homelessness grew 19 percent in Sacramento County from 2017 to 2019. During cold winter months, thousands remain without sufficient shelter.

We see them every day, along the American River Parkway and under the W/X Freeway. The Bee has also reported on downtown’s significant homeless challenges, just across the street from our state’s capitol.

We must be more proactive, continuing as a city to both champion and pressure leaders for more and better solutions.

Steinberg could return to the “safe ground” concept. He’s wary of sanctioning homeless encampments in the city (and we understand why), but people are already sleeping in doorways. During an endorsement interview, Steinberg said he would be willing to allow a safe ground pilot. We will watch for it.

Overall, Steinberg has responded well to challenges for a leader in his position – given that Sacramento has a “weak mayor” system that grants the mayor no official authority beyond his council vote.

This includes his conduct in the wake of the police killing of Stephon Clark. During a tense council meeting, Steinberg respectfully addressed police, elected officials and those who were understandably upset with Clark’s killing. and then called for a recess so people could calm down.

What Steinberg has accomplished, he has done through cooperation. Regional leaders can and should respond in kind. The result of a statewide and regional housing shortage must be tackled broadly, with the county and nearby cities.

What has Sacramento County accomplished to boost shelter and housing options for the many who lack access?

In 2017, County Executive Nav Gill and County Supervisor Don Nottoli touted the county’s spending on mental health services as evidence of its seriousness about homelessness. While looking after residents’ mental health is always laudable, what about housing for those with very low incomes? There is also a need for shelters and public restrooms.

Steinberg should serve as an example for how leaders across the Sacramento region can make progress on ensuring housing is accessible. And leaders should make themselves available as serious partners ready to work with the city of Sacramento as it pushes forward.

The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board endorses Darrell Steinberg for a second term as mayor of Sacramento.