San Francisco’s Mayor Lurie faces dissent over his new fentanyl emergency plan, raising concerns about oversight and funding.
San Francisco: Mayor Daniel Lurie just rolled out his “Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance” on Tuesday, but it’s already stirring up some controversy. The plan gives department heads a lot of power without much oversight, which has some folks worried about potential misuse of funds.
When Lurie took office last week, there was buzz about his emergency declaration speeding through the Board of Supervisors. But it turns out the vote didn’t happen as expected. Instead, it was just introduced, and the board’s reaction suggests they might not be on board as quickly as he hoped.
Lurie stated that the ordinance aims to tackle the fentanyl crisis head-on, promising to cut through red tape. He’s got some supervisors backing him, but not everyone is convinced. Some are raising eyebrows about the lack of a solid plan to go along with the emergency powers.
New District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood compared this to the COVID response, saying they need similar powers to address the crisis. But not all supervisors are on the same page. Board President Rafael Mandelman didn’t express support during the meeting, which could signal some underlying issues.
There’s definitely a political battle brewing. Lurie has some supporters, including a group called GrowSF, which is pushing a petition to back the ordinance. But there are also critics on the board who feel the plan lacks a clear strategy.
Supervisor Shamann Walton voiced his concerns, pointing out that during COVID, they had a specific plan when granting emergency powers. Now, he feels they’re rushing into things without a solid foundation.
As for what the ordinance actually does, it’s supposed to unlock funding and speed up hiring, which seems to contradict Lurie’s recent hiring freeze. It also aims to make a multi-agency coordination center permanent and create a task force to clean up tourist areas.
However, the most controversial part is that it allows department heads to enter no-bid contracts without board oversight. This raises red flags, especially given past issues with corruption in the city.
Some experts argue that Lurie’s plan isn’t a true state of emergency since it doesn’t meet the legal requirements. It seems more like a way to grab power and sidestep the Board of Supervisors, which could lead to problems down the line.
