In order to get the money, cities could be forced to arrest and lock up some people now living on the streets, under the bill a Senate panel approved Tuesday.
Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services PHOENIX — A Senate panel voted Tuesday to provide $50 million through federal funds to help cities and counties deal with homelessness.
The ability of local governments to tap into $30 million of the money — the rest would be earmarked for nonprofit organizations — would be contingent on having ordinances that prohibit sleeping and camping in public places that are not designated as"sanctioned camping sites.'' The city or county would also have to enforce those ordinances.
Despite that, only Sen. Raquel Teran, D-Phoenix, voted against the measure. She said the 2019 ruling voiding an ordinance out of Boise, Idaho makes the measure not just illegal but unworkable.Sen. Lela Alston, D-Phoenix, said she is relying on promises by proponents to find ways to deal with the legal issues before the measure goes to the full Senate.He told colleagues he sees nothing wrong with arresting those who are sleeping on streets.
"There are days when I can't access my business,'' complained Angela Ojile, who said efforts to sell or lease her property in Phoenix are stymied by the situation.
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