Newsom rejects oversight bills for homelessness spending after state lost track of billions

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) vetoed two bills designed to oversee state funding for homelessness programs after California agencies lost track of roughly $24 billion. 

The Democratic governor announced Wednesday that he would not sign AB 2903. The legislation, which Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover spearheaded, would have required state agencies and departments administering homelessness programs to deliver annual reports to the California Interagency Council on Homelessness and disclose findings to the public. 

“While I fully support efforts to increase accountability and the effectiveness of our state homelessness programs, similar measures are already in place,” Newsom wrote in a veto message.

“I recently signed Assembly Bill 799, which addresses the same objectives as this bill in a more targeted and cost-effective manner,” he continued.

Hoover blasted Newsom for vetoing his bill, arguing further accountability was needed and that the governor “is doubling down on his failed response to homelessness.” 

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