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Supervisors approve emergency ordinance expanding mayor's powers to combat fentanyl; vote 10-1
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 approved an ordinance granting the mayor expanded emergency authority to accelerate housing, treatment and public-safety responses to the fentanyl and overdose crisis. The measure passed as amended, 10-1, after debate over oversight, spending caps and a missing operational plan.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 on Jan. 28 to approve an ordinance that gives the mayor temporary emergency authorities intended to speed up the city's response to the fentanyl and overdose crisis.
The ordinance, described at the meeting as an "emergency" measure, changes the Administrative Code to allow expedited contracting and temporary waivers of certain approval processes, and it includes provisions intended to accelerate hiring of mental and behavioral health staff and expand shelter and treatment capacity over the coming year. The board voted to adopt several amendments before the final roll call.
Why this matters: supporters said the ordinance aims to remove bureaucratic delays that have impeded rapid expansion of shelter, treatment and outreach services; opponents said the board was being asked to grant broad powers without seeing a concrete plan or an accurate estimate of cost.
Supervisor Chan, speaking for the budget committee that…
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