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Supervisors express broad support — with caveats — for mayor's fentanyl emergency ordinance
Summary
Several supervisors signaled support for Mayor Lurie's proposed fentanyl emergency ordinance, citing urgency to address street‑level drug addiction; one supervisor said support should await an articulated implementation plan.
Supervisor Dorsey expressed strong support for Mayor Lurie’s proposed fentanyl emergency legislation and said he would be the board’s first cosponsor after receiving a briefing from the mayor’s team. "This challenge is personal for me... Fentanyl is by far the worst culprit," Supervisor Dorsey said, calling the drug a "public health calamity."
Other supervisors also announced cosponsorship. Supervisor Mahmood said he would second Supervisor Dorsey’s cosponsorship and described the ordinance as a necessary step to surge resources: "This ordinance represents a critical step in treating the issue with urgency it demands," Mahmood said, adding that the ordinance would include periodic audits and accountability safeguards. Supervisor Melgar and Supervisor Cheryl also identified themselves as cosponsors during introductions.
Supervisor Walton urged caution and said that granting emergency powers without a concrete plan would be premature. "Supporting the proposed legislation now... will be premature without the presence of a plan that demonstrates exactly what the mayor in the city plans to do," Walton said, asking for specifics on the implementation approach.
No formal vote on the mayoral ordinance occurred at the Jan. 14 meeting. Supervisors emphasized the need for expedited hiring, contracting and funding to respond to fentanyl‑related public‑health and public‑safety emergencies while some requested clearer implementation details before supporting powers to waive usual procedures.
