Newsom orders California officials to dismantle homeless camps

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Thursday to dismantle homeless encampments across the state. The decision follows the Supreme Court ruling that allowed cities to enforce bans on sleeping outdoors.

The executive order requires agencies to prioritize clearing hazardous encampments, give advance notice to those affected and connect them with services.

While cities and counties are encouraged to follow suit, they are not legally required to.

Newsom’s move targets California’s substantial homeless population, which exceeds 180,000, the highest in the nation.

In other California news
The state’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision on Proposition 22 legislation, allowing Uber and Lyft to continue classifying their drivers as independent contractors.

The ruling ends a lengthy legal battle initiated by ride-share drivers and labor unions who sought to reclassify drivers as employees.

Proposition 22, approved by voters in 2020, ensures gig workers receive minimum earnings, health insurance for those working 15 or more hours a week and accident insurance.