What Will it Take to Get the Mentally Ill Homeless Off the Streets?

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom released a proposal for a $3 billion bond measure aimed at the 2024 ballot, to fund housing for people with severe mental illness. At the same time, Newsom asked the legislature to revise 2004’s Proposition 63 – which enacted a 1% tax on individuals with earnings of $1 million or more, used to help people with mental illness. These latest moves follow Newsom’s other recent efforts to engage on the issue of homelessness, something his predecessors in the Horseshoe have largely avoided.

Author and journalist Dan Morain wrote about the Governor’s plans last week, and joined us to talk about the two proposals. He also digs into the half century of policy and politics that got us to where we are today: the common answer is The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, but, as Dan explains, LPS is only part of the story.  Also, Dan shared his own experience about a family member unable to live on his own after a devastating accident.

Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?

1:16 The Governor’s proposals. Part 1

3:01 Part 2

4:48 Shouldn’t this have been done following passage of LPS?

8:04 The counties were supposed to find the money to solve this problem – they didn’t

9:45 Newsom was talking about homeless issues 20 years ago

10:04 What does the legislature think of Newsom’s proposals?

12:09 Sens. Eggman and Niello have bills on this issue – do they compete or complement?

14:25 A personal connection: Frank’s story

18:20 The limitations of treatment under LPS

20:45 Many have a personal connection to this issue – is that driving these solutions?

26:29 #WWCA