Latest news with #SB569
Axios
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Gov. Newsom calls on California cities to ban homeless encampments
Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging California cities to adopt an ordinance banning homeless encampments outright as the state continues to crack down on "unhealthy and dangerous" structures. Why it matters: Though the move is unlikely to change much for Bay Area cities and counties — many which have already taken aggressive steps to counter encampments — it highlights the state's increasing oversight on an issue that remains in the national spotlight. Driving the news: The model ordinance proposed by the governor's office includes key provisions, such as a prohibiting persistent camping in one location and encampments that block passage on sidewalks. It also requires local officials to provide notice and "make every reasonable effort to identify and offer shelter" prior to clearing an encampment. The intrigue: The ordinance emphasizes that nobody "should face criminal punishment for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go." The proposal is drawn from the state's approach, which Newsom's office says has cleared over 16,000 encampments and over 311,000 cubic yards of waste and debris from sites along the state right of way since July 2021. What they're saying:"There's nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets," Newsom said in a news release. "Now, we're giving [cities] a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care." Between the lines: Many encampments cleared by cities have relocated to property under the jurisdiction of Caltrans, the state's highway agency, Axios San Diego's Andrew Keatts notes. Frustration with the state's inability to clear those camps led San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to co-sponsor a bill, SB 569, with state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) to push the state to clear encampments on their property. Newsom's announcement does not appear to compel cities to adopt the ordinance, but he has in the past threatened to withhold funding from local governments that fail to adequately address encampments. Reality check: While San Francisco does not have an ordinance banning encampments, the city ramped up sweeps after a Supreme Court ruling last year gave municipalities leeway to take stricter measures. The city's approach already largely aligns with the provisions outlined in Newsom's model ordinance, including proper storage of possessions and the specific offer of shelter prior to clearing encampments. Yes, but: The governor's suggestion requires at least 48 hours of notice compared to San Francisco's 2016 voter proposition, which mandates a 24 hour heads up. What we're watching: Law enforcement has escalated arrests of people who refuse to leave after declining shelter offers, even as a shortage in beds persists. San Francisco is also in the midst of a legal challenge from local civil rights advocates who accuse city workers of violating unhoused people's rights by seizing and destroying their property when conducting sweeps. The big picture: In March, San Francisco recorded its lowest tent tally (222) since officials began publicly tracking them in April 2019, per a San Francisco Chronicle analysis.
Axios
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
California Gov. Newsom tells cities to ban homeless encampments
Gov. Gavin Newsom asked cities Monday across California to ban homeless encampments, releasing a template policy he hopes they'd adopt but stopping short of conditioning funding on their doing so. Why it matters: Newsom, who's widely expected to run for president in 2028, is continuing to embrace a tougher approach on homelessness — reflecting increased voter acceptance and a Supreme Court ruling a year ago that cleared the way for cities to crack down on encampments. State of play: The governor released a model ordinance for cities to adopt, a policy that's generally in line with the one San Diego implemented nearly two years ago. Monday's movefollows his executive order issued in July, ordering state agencies to clear encampments and asking cities to do the same. What they're saying: During a press conference, Newsom would not say that cities risked losing discretionary state homeless funds if they pass on the model ordinance, but he said it is a "preview of expectations moving forward." He's now saying publicly what he had been telling cities privately, he said. "Tents and encampments, it simply cannot continue," he said. "It's not human to let the status quo continue." By the numbers: Downtown San Diego was home to 2,104 homeless residents in May 2023, two months before San Diego passed a broad prohibition on encampments. Last month, that number had fallen to 902, per the Downtown Partnership's monthly count. Between the lines: Many of those encampments relocated to property under the jurisdiction of Caltrans, the state's highway agency, like a large, well-established camp just outside downtown near the city's safe camp site. Frustration with the state's inability to clear those camps has led Mayor Todd Gloria to co-sponsor a bill, SB 569, with state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) to push the state to clear encampments on their property. "The state needs to do better in preventing and removing encampments from land that the state has control over," Blakespear said in a release announcing the bill. Zoom in: In his State of the City speech earlier this year, Gloria said the city receives 300 calls a month about encampments on state property, and demanded Caltrans to either take action or let the city do it, but he opted against challenging Newsom Monday.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Texas will improve virtual learning for students, educators
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 569 into law, effective immediately. According to the Texas Senate, SB 569: Creates Chapter 30B of the Education Code, replacing outdated virtual learning laws Allows for AP, dual-credit or specialized elective courses to be taken virtually Enables students to complete up to two years of college coursework while in high school Supports flexible scheduling for apprenticeships, career training and early graduation through hybrid learning Prohibits mandatory virtual enrollment and ensures teachers cannot be forced to teach virtually without training and consent Establishes standards and oversight for virtual education providers The bill had bipartisan support, passing the Senate (28-2) and the House (109-32). 'SB 569 modernizes Texas' virtual learning framework for the more than 51,884 students currently enrolled statewide, with enrollment projected to double by 2028, and expands access to high-quality digital and hybrid instruction for the 5.5 million currently enrolled Texas public school students,' said Senator Paul Bettencourt, who authored the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to remove homeless encampments faster
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Encampments popping up along state highways may soon be cleaned up faster. If passed, Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to develop plans to streamline the process of clearing out encampments along major intersections. Those encampments can be found along Interstate 805 in North Park, which for some is a nuisance, but for others, it's all they have. It wasn't Makiya Epps' first choice when looking for a place to call home. 'I lost my job during the pandemic, and I had to make ends meet the best way I knew how,' she explained. She went from making $60,000 a year to living in the encampment above I-805. 'People when they see us walk by, they lock their doors and stuff like that,' she said, emotional. 'We're not trying to harm you. We're really not. A lot of these people are beautiful people. They're just down on their luck.' But, Senator Catherine Blakespear aims to streamline the process for Caltrans to clean up encampments like the one where Epps lives. 'We have a crisis of people living unsheltered on city streets and in canyons and riverbeds, and the Caltrans right of way is no different,' she said. Senate Bill 569 would require Caltrans to develop encampment resolution plans and work with local governments to eliminate camps along state highways. 'There's just no reason that we should allow shantytowns to spring up anywhere that someone might pitch a tent,' she said. Blakespear claims the pollution and proximity to the state roads and highways make the area unsafe for people to live. Instead, she advocates for placing the unsheltered people in tiny homes or mobile home park. 'You got people living way out in the woods somewhere living just like this, and ain't nobody bothering them, so why [are] you bothering me,' Epps contested. Neighbors in the area complain the campsites are a nuisance, but Epps says she's cleaning the trash left behind by others one pile at a time. 'The mess…I get it. I don't want to see that either,' she said. Epps remains hopeful in spite of her situation, and asks for one thing. 'Before you judge us, come out here and talk to us,' she said. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Caltrans about their plans to address the encampment, but we did not hear back. As for SB569, it's set to be heard in the transportation committee on April 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
