COMING UP NEXT ON HEADLINE HUMBOLDT, THE EUREKA CITY COUNCIL MAKES SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO ITS RANK-CHOICED VOTING SYSTEM, SET TO BE DEPLOYED FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER; AND STRUGGLES OVER APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE IN BALLOT LANGUAGE THE SO-CALLED HOUSING FOR ALL AND DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE ALSO, CLAIRE SIMONICH FROM THE VERA INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT NEW EFFORTS SEEKING TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK ON HOW THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT LOOKS AT AND TREATS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS, AND PETTY THEFT, COMING UP NOW ON HEADLINE HUMBOLDT.

WERE FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS HEADLINE HUMBOLDT.

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION LEFT US WITH A PRESIDENT ELECTED BY A MINORITY OF VOTERS, AND AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION LED TO THE RIOTS AND VIOLENCE THAT SEIZED THE CAPITOL ON JAN. 6, THE TIME HAS COME TO BEGIN ENTERTAINING MORE SENSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE NOTIONS ON JUST HOW WE SHOULD ELECT OUR LEADERS TO POWER.

THE EUREKA CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK, AMONG OTHER THINGS, VOTED TO IMPLEMENT AND IMPROVE A RANKED-CHOICE VOTING SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF EUREKA, DECREASING THE LIKELIHOOD AT LEAST IN EUREKA THAT RESIDENTS HERE WILL EVER HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH LEADERSHIP THAT THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS DON'T TRUST AND CAN'T STAND.

THIS MEANS THAT FOR THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER ELECTION, VOTERS IN EUREKA WILL RANK COUNCIL AND MAYORAL CANDIDATES IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO BETTER CAPTURE THE CHOICES AND INTENT OF THE ELECTORATE, WHILE POTENTIALLY REINVIGORATING PEOPLE'S FAITH IN A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM THAT HAS SEEMINGLY STRUGGLED IN RECENT YEARS UNDER THE DUAL STRESSORS OF DIVISION AND DISHONESTY.

THE CHANGES MADE THIS WEEK CLARIFY AREAS OF THE CITY'S ORDINANCE THAT LACKED PROPER DESCRIPTION.

MORE CHANGES CAN BE MADE IN THE FUTURE AS ISSUES ARISE APPROACHING NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

IT CAN BE SCARY TO CHANGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES SOMETHING AS SACRED AS OUR DEMOCRACY.

BUT GIVEN THE CONDUCT OF SOME POLITICAL FACTIONS IN RECENT YEARS AND THE DANGER INHERENT IN CONTINUING TO EMPOWER FRINGE AND REACTIONARY ELEMENTS, THE TIME HAS CERTAINLY COME FOR SAFEGUARDS.

THIS IS WHAT PROGRESS LOOKS LIKE.

COMING UP IN A FEW SHORT MOMENTS, I'LL BE JOINED BY CLAIRE SIMONICH FROM THE VERA INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE TO TALK ABOUT A NEW EFFORT BY SOME TO CRACKDOWN ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SHOPLIFTING AND HOMELESSNESS.

BUT FIRST, THE NEWS.

DURING THE UPCOMING NOV. 5 ELECTION, VOTERS WILL CONSIDER THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THE SO-CALLED “HOUSING FOR ALL AND DOWNTOWN VITALITY INITIATIVE,” A MEASURE BACKED BY BUSINESSMAN ROB ARKLEY AND HIS ALLIES TO STOP RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON CITY-OWNED DOWNTOWN PARKING LOTS.

AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING, THE CITY COUNCIL MERELY REVIEWED THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR THE UPCOMING BALLOT INITIATIVE.

EVEN THAT HAS PROVEN CONTROVERSIAL.

LIMITED TO 75 WORDS, CITY STAFF TRIED TO BE FAIR TO BOTH PROPONENTS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE INITIATIVE, BUT AFTER PUBLISHING THE AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK'S MEETING, AN ATTORNEY FOR THE GROUP BEHIND THE MEASURE CITIZENS FOR A BETTER EUREKA ASKED THAT THE WORDING BE CHANGED.

THAT STAFF ATTEMPTED A COMPROMISE, BUT COUNCIL MEMBERS LESLIE CASTELLANO AND KATIE MOULTON FELT THAT THE LANGUAGE USED COULD CONFUSE PEOPLE, AND DIDN'T ACCURATELY REFLECT THE INTIATIVE'S PURPOSE OR POTENTIAL IMPACT.

>> WITH ONLY 75 WORDS IT IS VERY COMPLICATED TO DO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES.

THAT CAN NEVER DONE IN 75 WORDS I DON'T THINK.

SO WE JUST ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO CONSPIRACY READ THE INITIATIVE AND ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INITIATIVE ITSELF.

THE QUESTION IS INTENDED TO CAPTURE YOU KNOW, THE BULK OF THE INITIATIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE INITIATIVE, AND YOU KNOW, BE NEUTRAL.

BE INFORMATIVE AND BE NEUTRAL.

>> I GUESS I FEEL IT'S NEUTRAL TO THE POINT OF MISINFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BALLOT NISH YOUTIVE IS MY CONCERN JUST IN TERMS LIKE IT DOESN'T TALK ABOUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR PARKING IF HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING IS BUILT.

WHICH IS SORT OF THE POINT OF THAT BALLOT INITIATIVE >> I CERTAINLY HEAR YOU BUT I FEEL WHETHER YOU WERE ASKING A PROPONENT OF THE INITIATIVE OR THE OPPONENT OF THE INITIATIVE THERE IN LIES THE DIFFICULTY TO PUT A BALLOT QUESTION IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS ARE THAT DOESN'T INSERT OUR FEELING ABOUT IT.

AND AGAIN, I REALLY HAVE TRIED TO DO THAT HERE AND NOT JUST ME BUT OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WHO KNOW THE INITIATIVE VERY WELL THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO RETURN TO THIS DISCUSSION AT ITS SPECIAL MEETING, ON MONDAY JUNE 24.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED ITS BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, AND AS I SAID VOTED TO IMPROVE ITS RANKED CHOICE VOTING INITIATIVE, SET TO TAKE EFFECT FOR NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS CLAIRE SIMONICH, FROM THE VERA INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT NEW EFFORTS SEEKING TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK ON HOW THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA LOOKS AT SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS, AND PETTY THEFT.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU JACHLTS THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I'M GLAD WE CAN GET SOME EXPERTS TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF BACKGROUND HERE.

FOR SOME ENDEMIC PROBLEMS.

CAN YOU TELL TALK ABOUT THAT AND WHERE IT CAME FROM AND HOW WE GOT TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE >> LIKE THE FENTANYL CRISIS AND SOME OF THE HOMELESSNESS AND SOME OF THE RETAIL MARKET WE NEED TO MERRICK SURE WE'RE DOING SMART SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THANKS REALLY BIG PROBLEMS.

92 ABSOLUTELY THE PROP 47 WAS THAT A BALLOT INITIATIVE POPULARLY PASSED BY CALIFORNIA VOTERS.

WHAT PROP 47 FOR SOME THINGS LIKE POSSESSION OF DRUGS, OFTEN DONE BY FOLKS WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER THESE THINGS ARE NOT WELL SERVED BY SENDING PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND INVESTING THOSE COST SAVINGS THAT WE HAVE FROM NOT SPENDING IT ON PRISONS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND INVESTING THAT MONEY IN THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITIES LIKE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND HOUSING.

EDUCATION IN K-12 SCHOOLS.

WHAT PROP 47 INVESTED IN $100 MILLION EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

>> WAS I WRONG ABOUT THAT PRISON OVERPOPULATION ISSUE.

WERE THEN'T THEY REECHLTED.

BACK IN 2014 THINGS WERE SO BAD THAT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HAD TO COME IN AND IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONALLY OVER CROWDED.

IT WAS THAT BAD AND THERE WERE MASSIVE RACIAL DISPARITIES.

THERE'S STILL RACIAL DISPARITIES BUT IT'S LESS TODAY THANKS TO THINGS LIKE PROP 47 LIKE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

>> SO THE NEW INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS THE OLD INITIATIVE I GUESS I USED TO WORK AT A NEWSPAPER AND WE HAD A STANCE FOR THE MOST PART INITIATIVES WERE DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU COULD MAKE CHANGES FROM A DISTANCE THAT COULD IMPACT LEGISLATORS BUDGETS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

START TO COMPILE I'M ALWAYS REMINDED IT.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A POSITIVE INITIATIVE EARLIER WITH PROP 47. WHO'S BEHIND THIS NEW MOVEMENT TO MAKE THOSE PUNISHMENTS AND THEIR PUNISHMENT MORE SEVERE.

IS THAT THE END RESULT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK.

WHO'S BEHIND THIS.

WHAT I WE SEE THERE ARE SOME SPECIAL INTERESTS AND BIG MONEY BEHIND THE BALLOT INITIATIVE BY WAL-MART, AND OTHER CORPORATE RETAILERS.

THE CORRECTIONAL GUARDS UNION HAS PUT SIGNIFICANT MONEY INTO THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE.

BIG MONEY WHO'RE NOT ON THE GROUND IN OUR COMMUNITIES SEEING WHAT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEED, SEEING THE FENTANYL CRISIS ON THE GROUND AND HOW WE NEED MORE TREATMENT FOR TREATMENT AND SERVICES.

>> YEAH.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT.

I KNOW THIS ISN'T WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IS THE FENTANYL LIKE WAL-MART.

WHY ARE THEY TAKING AN INTEREST WHERE IT WASN'T SUCH A BIG DEAL.

IS IT ACCELERATING AND SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING ACTUALLY ISSING DOWN.

8 PERCENT FROM 2022 WHICH IS THE YEAR THAT WE HAD THE MOST RECENT DATA AVAILABLE SPAUP LIFTING WAS DOWN 8%.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS REAL CHALLENGES IN THE RETAIL MARKET.

I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO ADMIT.

THINGS ARE VERY CHALLENGING AND IT'S VERY HARD TO BE A RETAILER IN CALIFORNIA IN 2024.

BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE SHOP LICHINGT.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF FENTANYL USE.

IT'S BECAUSE OF BIGGER LIKE COVID AND COMPETITION FROM ONLINE MARKETPLACES WHICH ARE SELLING STOLEN GOODS.

WHAT WE NEED IS SOLUTIONS THAT ZOOM OUT A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT IF WE REGULATE THOSE ONLINE MARKETPLACES A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BY REGULATING THEM.

AND PROVIDE SERVICES AND INNER COMMUNITIES TO THE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO STEAL AND HAVE TO CONTINUALLY BE PLAGUED BY OPENIAS AND THE FENTANYL CRISIS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS WITH INITIATIVES THERE ARE SECOND ORDER CONSEQUENCES THAT PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF AT THE TIME.

WHICH IS SORT OF A RETAIL APPROACH OR WHATEVER.

WE END UP DEALING WITH THOSE REAPER KUINGS LATER ON.

I KNOW WITH SOME SERIOUS DEDICATION.

WHAT ARE THE SOME OF THE ANCILLARY REVERSINGth OLD BALLOT INITIATIVE ACTUALLY PASSES.

>> TWO THINGS.

ONE IS JUST LESS MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT THAT $100 MILLION THAT'S FUNDING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTIES.

THE BARE MINIMUM WE HAVE.

WE NEED MUCH MORE.

THAT'S MANDATED TREATMENT.

AND IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE WORK VERY, VERY WELL.

HELPED TO REDUCE REARRESTS BY 17% AND INCREASE EMPLOYMENT BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONVICTION RECORDS.

SO ONE THING WE LOSE BASED ON OUR STUDIES AND RESEARCH ALL OF THESE SERVICES WE SO DESPERATELY NEED AND WE KNOW BASED ON THE EVIDENCE WORK SO WELL.

THE OTHER THING WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IS A RETURN TO OVER CROWDED PRISONS AND PRISON DISPROPORTIONATELY FULL OF PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WHO IN CALIFORNIA IS ARRESTED FOR RETAIL THEFT.

RIGHT NOW LOWER LEVEL CHARGES AND IT'S JUST DISPROPORTIONATELY YOUNG PEOPLE AND REALLY DISPROPORTIONATEIN'T PEOPLE OF COLOR.

BUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF GOING TO GO TO PRISON AND IT'S GOING TO FILL OUR PRISONS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN PARTICULAR.

>> YEAH.

I LIKE TO BE UP FRONT I'M A RECOVERING ADDICT ITSELF.

I WAS AN OPIATE ADDICT.

AND I'VE BEEN IN TREATMENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

IT GIVES ME AN AWARENESS WHAT THAT PROCESS IS LIKE THAT.

AND AS I WAS GOING THROUGH TREATMENT I WAS TOLD THERE'S A NEW MEDICAL MODEL FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT LIKE IT'S A DISEASE BECAUSE IT IS A DISEASE, AND THEREFORE IT'S NEEDS TO BE TREATED BY DOCTORS AND NOT PRISON GUARDS.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC RELATIONS DISCUSSION THAT WANTS TO IT'S A CHARACTER ISSUE, AND WE NEED TO PUNISH STEALING SMALL THINGS IN ORDER TO GET HIGH OR ARE HIGH THEMSELVES.

IT'S A DOUBLE VISION OUR SOCIETY WHERE WE'RE HAVING DISCUSSIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

I WONDER IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS THE VALUE REALIZING IT'S A MEDICAL PROBLEM AND NOT A CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEM.

IS THAT MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE MOTIVE OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVE.

>> SO APPRECIATE THAT YOU SHARED THAT, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING IN RECOVERY FOR SO MANY YEARS.

I HAVE LOVED ONES IN MY LIFE IN RECOVERY.

AND I KNOW IT IS NOT EASY AND PARTICULARLY WITH OPIATES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT PERSONAL BACKGROUND.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>> AND FOR THAT FRAMING.

I THINK AS CALIFORNIANS AND AS A SOCIETY WRIT LARGE WE'VE COME TO EXPECT WE DO NEED TO NEED MEDICAL CARE FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: AND I THINK A LOT OF US KNOW THAT AT A GUT LEVEL.

WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH OPEN YUNT ADDICTION.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A MIX OF SPECIAL INTERESTS BEHIND THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, AND A REAL PROBLEM ON THE GROUND.

THERE IS A FENTANYL CRISIS AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THAT FENT MUSCLE CRISIS.

WE NEED MORE RESEARCH, AND MORE DOCTORS.

AND WE NEED MORE ACCESS TO MEDICAL ASSISTED TREATMENT.

AND FEEL LIKE WELL THIS ISN'T WORKING.

LET'S TRY THIS THING BEFORE THAT ALSO DIDN'T WORK.

BUT I KNOW FROM THE RESEARCH AND FROM SPEAKING TO FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF THAT PUTTING PEOPLE IN PRISON FOR YEARS AND YEARS ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

IS LESS FUNDING FOR THE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT AND LESS FUNDING FOR THE SERVICES WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT'S NOT JUST THAT IT'S GOING TO PUT PEOPLE IN PRISON FOR LONGER.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE AWAY FUNDING FOR PEOPLE FOR SERVICES WE NEED.

>> WE HAVE A TARGET AND WAL-MART.

OUR WAL-MART IS ONE OF THE IN IS CORPORATION.

PART WE FOUGHT WAL-MART AGAINST COMING IN.

OUR REWARD IS GETTING A REALLY SMALL ONE.

IT'S LIKE A PRISON ITSELF WHEN YOU GO INTO WAL-MART.

THERE ARE LOCKS ON EVERYTHING.

YOU HAVE TO HELP FOR TO LOOK AT A WATCH OR LOOK AT FROM UNDERWEAR TO DEODERANT AND THE SECURITY LEVELS HAVE RAMPED UP OVER RECENT YEARS.

WE'VE SEEN AN 8% DECLINE IN THAT SINCE 2022, MAKES ME WONDER WHY ALL THAT EFFORT AND NOISE TO FIGHT A PROBLEM THAT STEAMS SOB SHRINKING AND SEEMS TO BE ADDRESSING ITSELF ON ITS OWN A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

MY FOLKS LIVE HAD UP IN MENDOCINO COUNTY.

AND I KNOW MY PEOPLE CELEBRATED WHEN THE TACO BELL CAME IN.

IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

SO I COULD SEE HOW THE WAL-MART IS BOTH A BLESSING AND CURSE.

WHAT I'LL SAY IS SHOPLIFTING HAS GONE DOWN.

WHAT ELSE HAS GONE DOWN AND STAFFING IS AND TREATING RETAIL WORKERS WELL.

WE'VE SEEN MORE RELIANCE ON SELF-CHECKOUT LINES.

AND FEWER STAFF WHO CAN BE AROUND TO MONITOR THOSE SELF-CHECKOUT LINES.

HELP PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED HELP.

AND UNLOCK THOSE CABINETS THAT WE'RE ALL FRAUS 4,800 BY.

ON TO MAKE YOU ARE THAT STORES HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RETAIL WORKERS ARE TREATED WELL AND HAVE THE TOOLS TO MAKE IT A BETTER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF US.

CALIFORNIANS SHOULD LOOK AT THOSE SOLUTIONS AND BILLS AND POLICIES INSTEAD OF THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE TAKE US BACK IN TIME TO A SOLUTION OF PRISON THAT WE KNOW DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL >> THE GETS BACK TO THE WAR ON DRUGS JUST SAY NO.

WHAT'S THE POLLING LOOK LIKE AT THIS POINT.

I HATE TO ASK THIS QUESTION.

IT'S SO TYPICAL.

I'M WONDERING DOES THIS THING HAVE A SHOT AT PASSING, AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO IF THEY OPPOSE IT >> THAT BALLOT PROPOSITION QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT.

WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

BY JUNE 27th WHEN THE PROPONENTS COULD PULL BACK THE BALLOT PROPOSITION.

THEY COULD VOLUNTARILY TO DO THAT.

>> BY ALL ACCOUNTS IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S MOVING FORWARD.

WHAT WE CAN LISTENING TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, LOOKING UP EDUCATIONAL FACTS ON THE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND WHAT EXACTLY WHAT BALLOT PROPOSITION WOULD DO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE TWHRR REAL CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

THERE IS A FENTANYL CRISIS, AND HOMELESSNESS.

AND NONE OF US PARTICULARLY MEEP WITH THE WAY THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE LOOKING.

BUT THIS BALLOT PROPOSITION, AND LESS SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND MUCH MORE MONEY GOING TO THINGS LIKE STATE PRISONS.

I THINK LEARNING WHAT EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE ACCESS TO IS A REALLY IMPORTANT STEP TO TAKE.

AND PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT HAPPENS AFTER NEXT WEEK.

THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER CALIFORNIA NOW.

WE'VE HAD MORE VISIBLE HOMELESS IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY THAN WE'VE HAD IN DECADES.

THAT'S LED TO AN INCREASE IN SHOPLIFTING, AND IT'S LED TO OTHER ISSUES.

I WORRY REQUEST INITIATIVES PEOPLE TAKE ON A WHAT THEY NEED IS A NEED FOR PUNISHMENT TO GET EVEN FOR THE CHANGES THAT INCONVENIENCES OF WHATEVER THEIR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE MAY BE NOW.

AND HOWEVER THEY'VE LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE HOMELESS.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO BE SPENDING PUBLIC RESOURCES.

TO KIND OF ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND WON'T BE FIXED BY ANY REAL SIMPLE INITIATIVE PASSED BY FOLKS AFTER READING A COUPLE OF PARAGRAPHS.

I THINK IT MEANS MORE DEEPER AND LONGER SOLUTION ORIENTED APPROACHES.

NOW I'D BE REMISS WHO IS THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE.

SO IF YOU CAN GIVE US A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GROUP YOU WORK IF FOR.

>> YES.

>> I'D LOVE TO COMMENT ON THE GREAT FRAMING PROVIDED ON THE HOMELESSNESS THAT WE ARE ALL SEEING, AND REALLY WANT TO PROVIDE A HUMANE RESPONSE.

I'M ASSOCIATE AT VERA CALIFORNIA.

THE VERA INSTITUTE IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 1961.

SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE BEEN PROVIDING RESEARCH AND VOCK SEES TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE SAFER AND JUST.

WE NOW HAVE THIS OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA WHICH OPENED IN LOS ANGELES IN 2018.

AND WE PROVIDE RESEARCH FOR SORT OF POLICY MAKERS AND FOR THE PUBLIC SO FOLKS CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

AND SO THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT VALUE AND MAKING SURE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR WHICH FOR SO LONG IS PROVIDING EQUITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US, AND AS THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR IN CALIFORNIA I FOCUS ON LOS ANGELES AND ALL ACROSS COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA.

WE HAVE A TOOL A DATABASE ABOUT EVERY COUNTY IN SCPALF THERE IS A PAGE IN THERE WITH HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PLEASE.

>> SO THE SORT OF CALIFORNIANS FRUSTRATION WITH SEEING VISIBLE HOMELESSNESS.

I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES VERY CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN.

AND I THINK CALIFORNIANS ARE HUMANE PEOPLE WHO'RE SMART AND WANT HUMANE SMART SOLUTIONS THAT WILL GET AT WHAT'S DRIVING HOMELESSNESS.

I THINK WHAT'S SO INTERESTING INTEREST THIS BALLOT PROPOSITION THE HOMELESSNESS AND THEFT AND THEFT AND ACT.

THIS IS TO THE BALLOT PROPOSITION THAT DOES ANYTHING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

THE BALLOT PROPOSITION INCREASES PRISON SENTENCES FOR DRUG USE.

IT INCREASES PRISON SENTENCES FOR PETTY THEFT.

BUT IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA.

AND IN FACT, WHAT IT DOES DO REDUCE FUNDING IN COUNTIES LIKE HUMBOLDT, SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES IT'S GOING TO REDUCE FOUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT HOUSE PEOPLE.

AND SO THE NAME IS AN INTERESTING CHOICE.

AND WHO WANT THEIR COMMUNES TO FEEL STABLE AND LIKE THERE IS A SAFETY NET TO KNOW ALL OF THE BALLOT PROPOSITION FOR HOMELESSNESS IS MEAN LESS FUNDING FOR YOUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM >> IT'S ALMOST LIKE THEY'RE CASTING UP A WIDE NET.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT.

WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHERE MISINFORMATION IS EVERYWHERE.

THERE ARE SEDUCTIVE SOUNDING NAMES AND ARGUMENTS THAT MAY APPEAL TO PEOPLE ON A BASIC LEVEL.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE HOW TO BE BETTER INFORMED VOTERS AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE BALANCING OUT WHAT THE VOTER GUIDE SAYS WITH REAL INFORMATION FOUND IN THE ETHER SOMEWHERE.

>> I THINK LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE LOOKING AT RESEARCH, LOOKING AT WHAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIKE THE VERA INSTITUTE ARE PUTTING OUT THERE WHAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE FENTANYL CRISIS IN OUR COUNTRY AND TO TALL MAKE FOR A BETTER RETAIL EXPERIENCES FOR SHOPPERS, VOTERS SHOULD LOOK THAT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH CREATED BY RESEARCH INSTITUTES LIKE VIEIRA WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO VOCHLT AND TALK TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES WHAT IT IS YOU DO WANT TO SEE TO ADDRESS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN YOUR LIFE.

>> IS THERE A WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE?

>> OUR WEBSITE IS VERA.org.

AND THEN YOU CAN FIND ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE WHICH I'M THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ABOUT THIS AND THIS BALLOT PROPOSITION.

>> NOW, LAST COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

HOW DOES THE FINANCIAL BATTLE PLAY OUT RIGHT NO?

THE PEOPLE AS SUPPORTERS ARE SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE DEEP POCKETS.

YOU GUYS ARE A NONPROFIT.

THERE ARE OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT WILL BE AGAINST THIS.

IF YOU SPEND ENOUGH MONEY YOU CAN GET SOME PURCHASE HERE.

IS THAT A POSSIBILITY?

>> YEAH.

IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT OBSERVATION.

WE ARE A NON-PROFITS.

THERE ARE OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POLICY CHANGE, AND WHAT THIS CALIFORNIA GOES FORWARD.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE ARE FOLKS WAL-MART AND OTHER CORPORATE FOLKS AND CORRECTION ACTUAL UNIONS, AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN IN OUR ELECTIONS MONEY UNFORTUNATELY CAN AND DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE HOPE BY COMING TO TALK AT PRESENTATIONS LIKE THIS AND SHARING OUR RESEARCH AND INFORMATION WITH CALIFORNIANS, WE THINK THAT CALIFORNIANS WILL HOPEFULLY LISTEN TO THAT RESEARCH, AND CALIFORNIANS WHAT THEY HELPING PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL ADDRESS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND ADDRESS HOOEMTION.

WHILE IT'S CERTAINLY A QUHALING THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY ON ONE SIDE I'M HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC THIS WILL GET THERE >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH CLAIRE, AND HAVE TO WELCOME YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU JAMES.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TOMORROW FROM 4PM TO 6PM, PLEASE JOIN US AT YOUTUBE.COM/@NEONGALACTIC FOR A LIVELY AND WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSION OF UAPS AND CONTACT WITH TOP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE FIELD.

IT'LL BE LIVE ON YOUTUBE, AND VIEWERS WILL BE ABLE TO SEND US POTENTIAL QUESTIONS IN REAL TIME.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE LIVE EVENT, PLEASE WHEN YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AND OUR DISCUSSION.

THAT'S IT FOR THIS EVENING.

STAY TUNED, STAY INFORMED.