SACRAMENTO
Separate housing agency can assure more affordable housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to create a new Housing and Homelessness Agency in California government should be approved, though with additional steps by the Legislature to make the plan more effective, the state’s Little Hoover Commission said in a report released Monday.
“The Governor plainly believes that structural reforms can increase the state’s role in facilitating the construction of more affordable housing. We agree,” the report says. “We believe that the changes envisioned in this plan can, if properly implemented, make concrete improvements in the lives of Californians, and in the services, they receive from state government.”
Newsom proposed in April that the existing Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency be split in two, creating a new Housing and Homelessness Agency and a new Business and Consumer Services Agency. As part of the state’s governmental reorganization process, the plan was submitted to the Commission, which is required by law to issue a report to the Governor and Legislature assessing the plan and making a recommendation.
The Legislature has until July 4 to consider the Governor’s proposal, and either house may veto it by a simple majority vote. Absent rejection, plan takes effect on July 5.
The Commission’s report recommends the Legislature allow the plan to go into effect, but also that it pursue five additional steps that would help ensure the reorganization achieves its stated goals:
- Consider whether any additional homelessness programs should be overseen by the new California Housing and Homelessness Agency.
- Streamline and align program, reporting, and application requirements across state’s homeless programs.Require progress reports from the new agencies.
- Establish a formal mechanism for stakeholder feedback on implementation
- Enact a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governor and Treasurer to better coordinate across the state’s affordable housing finance programs.
The report also notes that the Administration should move forward immediately with a key goal – creating a “one-stop shop” for state financial assistance to build affordable housing. That reform cannot wait until the reorganization takes effect, the report says.
“California doesn’t have enough housing,” said Commission Chair Pedro Nava. “When we do build housing, it’s often too expensive or located far from available jobs. This is a crisis, and Governor Newsom is right to think that state government needs to change so that it can better address this critical issue.”
“The state’s reorganization process holds real value – the Governor proposes a plan, our Commission conducts a nonpartisan review, and then the Legislature has final say,” said Commission Vice Chair Anthony Cannella. “We hope this ensures that California has the government our citizens deserve.”
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Thompson, and Matsui sound alarm on devastating impacts of Congressional Republicans’ budget bill
Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Doris Matsui (CA-07), Friday, held a forum featuring testimony from local public safety experts, tax law experts, and health care providers to discuss how Congressional Republicans’ latest budget bill will impact Sacramento metro region residents.
Congressional Republicans’ bill, which passed the House of Representatives this month, will slash health care coverage for nearly 14 million people, cut nutrition benefits for nearly 11 million people, and raise energy costs for families by $110 per year in order to hand a tax break to the ultra-wealthy.
“Simply put, this bill is a bad deal for the American people. My Republican colleagues are paying for these huge tax breaks for the wealthy by stripping health care away from nearly 14 million Americans, taking food assistance from 11 million people, and cutting green energy investments responsible for our manufacturing boom. This will add $5 trillion to our national debt and will impact everyone in our community. Hospitals and clinics will be forced to reduce services or shut down altogether, local food banks will have fewer resources, and families will pay more for their energy bills. This is unacceptable,” said Thompson.
“Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is a disaster – targeting the most vulnerable among us to give tax breaks to the richest Americans. This bill rips away health care and nutrition assistance from millions of Americans and will have devastating consequences here in our region. That’s why we gathered a panel of local experts to explain exactly what is at stake for our communities. Programs like Medicaid and SNAP are lifelines – they allow our loved ones, friends, and neighbors to live healthy and fulfilling lives with dignity and independence. With the health and future of our constituents at risk, we will not back down. This battle is far from over,” said Matsui.
Representatives Thompson and Matsui were joined by local experts testifying to the negative impacts of this bill. Panelists included Dr. Darien Shanske, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis; Chief Chris Costamagna of the Sacramento Fire Department; Dr. Erika Roshanravan, Medical Director for CommuniCare+OLE; Kate Laddish, Medicaid beneficiary and Chair of Yolo County In-Home Supportive Services’ Advisory Committee; Diana Flores, Executive of Director Nutrition Services, Central Kitchen and Distribution Services for Sacramento City Unified School District; and Jessica Bartholow, Director of Government Relations for SEIU California.
BACKGROUND
H.R. 1 passed the House of Representatives 215-214 in May. Every Democrat and two Republicans voted “No.” Now, it is under consideration in the Senate. Watch a recording of Friday’s forum online at https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/
—Submitted
