Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledges some ideological resistance to a bill forcing counties to pay for homeless encampments, but says it only comes from the "far left."
Meanwhile, as he told Sean Hannity, people "across the political spectrum" back the bill (HB 1365) from Republican Sen. Jon Martin and Republican Rep. Sam Garrison for local jurisdictions to pick a piece of public property and compel people who are camping or sleeping in public spaces to that location.
"I'm going to sign legislation over the next month or so to really counteract Florida ever going in the direction of California on things like homelessness," DeSantis said.
"So as you know, we have cities that get elected and cities can govern themselves and there are certain state laws, but you know, we don't want a city to turn into a Los Angeles or San Francisco with respect to having homeless everywhere. So we're doing legislation and saying you're not allowed to have homeless camps (on the) streets, take over in front of businesses."
"The far left is really upset about it," DeSantis added. "But, you know, people across the political spectrum are like, 'Yes, you can't have this intrude on the quality of life for everyday residents.'" He did not, however, offer examples of support for that claim of broad-based support for the controversial legislation.
The bill, passed by a 27-12 vote in the Senate, would ban counties and municipalities from permitting public sleeping or public camping on public property without explicit permission, compelling these localities to round up the homeless and put them somewhere. Local camps must include clean restrooms, running water, security on premises and bans on drugs and alcohol.
Democrats noted the bill presented an unfunded mandate. DeSantis' worry, apparently satisfied by the legislation's final form, was that he didn't want "Sodom and Gomorrah" style homeless camps.
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